Disposal
What waste remains after steps one to four, we have to send to landfill.
DISPOSAL is the LAST option.
Every year in the UK 106 million tonnes of material is thrown away by the construction and demolition industry, representing approximately one third of all waste and making it the single largest waste stream. Of this, 34% is sent to landfill, 50% is reused (mainly aggregates) and only 16% is recycled.
Total composition of waste from construction and demolition industries
Not only is this bad for the environment, it's inefficient and expensive - and the cost implication of waste looks only set to increase. Landfill tax is escalating going up to £32 in April 2008 and increasing at £8 per tonne, per year to reach £48 in 2010. It is estimated that at current rates of disposal, the 10,000 sites in the UK will reach capacity within 6-15 years.
Government is recycling the landfill tax (through the BREW programme) back to business and this website is one initiative that will help you get to grips with the waste issue.
Your Duty of Care - Giving your waste to other people
If you have waste you have a legal ‘Duty of Care' to see that it doesn't cause problems. There are some simple rules to follow including keeping it secure so it doesn't leak or blow away and If you give your waste to someone else (like a waste contractor) it is your duty to make sure that:
- The person can take it - check that they are authorised;
- The waste toes to a proper site - licensed or exempt and
- You give the person a transfer note - this need to include a description of the waste.
This website lists waste contractors that have sites that can take some or all of your waste. The sites listed in the Directory are all correctly licensed or exempt and are therefore authorised to take waste (duty 1 above).
Other useful links
