In this article we make the prediction that all UK Landfills will close within 5 Years. The current trend in waste reduction/ diversion from landfill shows that the nation will achieve Zero Waste to Landfill and quite soon as well. That momentous occasion will take place in 5 to 6 years time, according to the figures available, that is by 2022.
The obvious inference from that is that no more sanitary landfills will be needed in the UK, after 2022, and therefore all UK landfills will have to close, because there simply will not be any waste to put in them.
All UK Landfills to Close within 5 Years – The Evidence
The evidence is available at the UK Government website, as shown in the bar chart for UK waste quantities generated, as copied below for your information:
By extrapolating the green “Landfill” waste quantity it is easy to calculate that the amount sent to landfill will drop to zero by 2022.
The reason for this steep fall in waste tonnages sent to landfill, in the UK, is the implementation of EU waste recycling targets, and in particular the fact that the general public which was for so long very strongly against incineration, has come to a grudging acceptance of it. Planning applications for incineration facilities are now becoming easier to obtain, and in general incineration of waste is still cheaper than many more sophisticated waste processing methods which would also divert waste away from landfill.
There is also no doubt that the UK badly needs the energy produced by incineration. This is the result of continuing delays to the commencement of new nuclear energy power stations (e.g. the new Hinkley, nuclear power station in Somerset). It is also due to the inevitable requirements for more coal-fired power stations to close, as carbon emissions from coal fired power stations are reduced.
The UK Waste Management industry has largely ceased opening new landfills in the UK, over the last 5 years, as it could be seen that the investment would not necessarily be repaid by the waste available to be tipped in these new facilities. In 2009, it was said that all the existing landfill capacity would be filled by 2015. Obviously, that has not happened and in general many landfills are still open and accepting waste through the front gate.
Is this Really Zero Waste? Surely Zero Waste should Mean Just That (i.e. Avoidance of the Production of Waste)
Zero waste to landfill is not strictly “zero waste” according to the definition of he green enthusiasts. The view of the “greens” is that the ideal of zero waste is one of “zero waste production”. News of UK landfills to close will be great news.
A very important aspect of the theory of zero waste, is that zero waste should mean zero waste production, by waste avoidance, and waste minimization/ re-use. That would be both much more expensive to achieve, than waste diversion because, as can be seen on the bar chart diagram above, the amount of UK-wide waste produced is not dropping significantly at all.
We hope that you enjoyed reading this article. Do you think it plausible that we are saying UK landfills to close. If so please share this article with your friends, who may be interested in our experiences..
Understanding the Benefits and Drawbacks of Sanitary Landfill Sites
In this article, you will find out about the advantages and disadvantages of sanitary landfills. Deciding on the best way to handle rubbish, is a common challenge, especially in developing nations. Sanitary landfills offer one solution, but they come with pros and cons. This article will help you understand these landfill sites better, including their benefits and drawbacks. Stay […]
What is a Landfill Liner? Geomembrane Linings Explained
Landfill linings are physical barrier systems intended to, as far as possible, prevent the escape of water and gases out of the body of the landfilled waste. A Landfill Liner is placed at the bottom and sides of modern landfills and are continuously welded to as far as possible provide a watertight seal. They are […]
The History of Landfill Lining Design [Infographic]
The Evolution of Landfill Lining Design in the UK from Dilute and Disperse to Full Containment The image above is one that we published back in 2004 and is one of the most important progressions in the history of landfills in the UK. It was a webpage in itself and rendered in efficient HTML code […]
Landfill Sites and the DSEA Regulations (DSEAR – UK)
Here is an explanation of the requirements of the DSEA Regulations and what they mean for landfill site owners and operators. All landfill owners (and by delegation their operators) fall under this regulation, and must act in order to comply with Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) which have been in force since July 2006. DSEAR – […]
