Recycling as an Available Resource

Landfill Diversion  – “closing the loop”

The need for recycling has been driven by new legislation which is now reaching into all areas of waste management which is likely to continue for many years. [Lets recycle 2003] Traditionally, the UK has been heavily reliant on landfill of municipal waste for many years, a total of 28.2 million tones was produced in 2000/01. 79% was landfilled with only 12% recycled or composted and 8% incinerated with energy recovery.

There are two very important Directives which will affect the UK population dramatically by the end of the decade.

On the horizon is the Uk’s implementation of the end-of-life vehicles. There is speculation of car manufacturers been in partnership or buying  car scrap yards to control the amount of  volume in spare parts been generated for recycling to ensure proper controls are been met.

The most recent Legislation to take effect by mid 2004 is the WEEE Directive. Waste of  Electronic & Electrical Equipment found in the home and office. The overriding directive which brought in controls on recycling and waste management throughout the EU is the Framework Directive on waste 75/442/EEC as amended by Council Directive 91/156/EEC adapted by council directive 96/350/EC  throughout the European Union.

The contents of the framework directive were implemented in the UK through the Environmental Protection Act 1990, as amended by the Environment Act 1995 and also various legislations before been transferred into UK law.

Nickel cadmium and nickel metal hydride and lithium-ion cells contain chemically active materials that are hazardous to the environment; therefore they should be disposed of properly through a recognized REBATT collection centre or Local Authority recycling site or transfer station. [RoSH Directive]

The most recent legislation to affect the waste management sector is the new Landfill Directive 1993/31/EC, which brought in new controls on recycling and waste management, was transferred into UK Law in July 2003. which now means all three types of rechargeable cells are now banned from landfill sites. Supported with the Special Waste Regulations [1996] and Waste Management Licensing Regulations [1994].

Within the EU there are more than 20 separate waste related topic under discussion and review ranging from hazardous wastes through to new proposals to create markets for the marking and recycling of new recyclate materials.