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The latest data for England from the Environment Agency, combined with similar data from the devolved administrations within the UK - Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland - show that the UK will meet the 2010 Landfill Diversion Target to reduce biodegradable municipal waste to landfill.
The Landfill Directive is a key EU waste target with further targets to be met in 2013 and 2020.
Data for 2009 shows that England is landfilling considerably less waste than its 2010 target - approximately 14.6 million tonnes compared to the 2010 target of about 21.7 million tonnes. These figures are based on the revised interpretation of municipal waste, and resulting changes to the landfill diversion targets. Data covering other parts of the UK is currently in production.
Speaking while touring Green-Works' warehouse in Wembley, a social enterprise dedicated to helping the environment by diverting redundant office furniture from landfill to be reused and recycled, Environment Minister Lord Henley said:
"It is pleasing to see that from the latest data the UK will meet the 2010 Landfill Directive Target as it shows that people are beginning to realise that we can't continue sending huge amounts of waste to landfill. As this Government strives to be the greenest government ever it will be important that this trend continues as we look to meet future targets."
The government has also published responses on two landfill consultations that began last March under the previous government, and closed in June. The consultations were on meeting EU landfill diversion targets, and on the introduction of restrictions on the landfilling of certain wastes.
The consultation on meeting EU landfill diversion targets was aimed at local authorities and the waste management industry and addresses the changes necessary to enable the UK to report to the European Commission on a revised approach to the landfill diversion targets.
The Introduction of Restrictions on the Landfilling of Certain wastes, was a joint consultation with the Welsh Assembly Government. It came in response to the commitment of the previous Government to consult on whether further restrictions on the landfilling of biodegradable and recyclable wastes would make an effective contribution to meeting the twin objectives of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing resource efficiency.
The restrictions consultation sought comments on the case for introducing bans or restrictions on the landfilling of; paper/card, food, textiles, metals, wood, green (garden) waste, glass, plastics, waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), biodegradable wastes and non-segregated wastes.
The consultation asked for views on the policy options of doing nothing, introducing landfill bans with or without a separate requirement to sort waste, or introducing a sorting or tougher pre-treatment requirement but without a ban and further producer responsibility systems.
Responding to the previous Government's consultation on landfill restrictions, Henley said:
"This government is not minded to introduce further landfill restrictions in England at this stage, but will consider how best to make progress towards the objective of zero waste to landfill as part of the Review of Waste Policies, due to conclude in Spring 2011."
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