Year 2020 to See Only 55 Non-Hazardous Landfill Sites Operating in England
21 December 2011 - A new study is predicting that there will be just 55 non-hazardous landfill sites in operation across England by the year 2020, which represents a significant drop over the next 8 years.
Currently, there are 245 operating non-hazardous landfill sites across England, as well as a further 170 inert sites, according to Environmental Agency figures published last October.
Tolvik Consulting’s report has taken into consideration various assumptions on recycling rates and residual waste when calculating this figure.
Whilst positive, the report points out that meeting this prediction will present a challenge for landfill operators, who will struggle to keep their sites generating profitable revenues for services that will inevitably decline.
The report advises that: "Whilst in time it is likely that landfill will become the disposal point of last resort for most residual wastes, there will always be a portion of wastes for which landfill is the most appropriate option. It is therefore important for the industry that landfills remain economically sustainable.”
The study also point out that landfill capacity across England isn’t shrinking as fast as had first been thought. Landfill inputs in England are reported to have seen a 45% decrease since 2000, compared to a 21% decrease in void capacity over the same period.