Today's challenges

The UK produces 450 million tonnes of waste a year, and figures suggest that waste levels are continuing to increase.

Currently, some 35 % of industrial and commercial waste and 15.6 % of household waste is recycled and composted. While achievements in these areas could still be greatly improved, these are not practical treatments for all types of waste.

In addition, it has become clear that, for environmental reasons, it is necessary to significantly reduce the amount of waste consigned to landfill. Regulations originating from European Directives are enforcing more stringent requirements in relation to waste. Certain kinds of waste can no longer be sent to landfill for disposal, and most wastes must be treated before they can be landfilled.

The number of landfill sites that can accept hazardous waste has greatly decreased, and more types of waste will be categorised as hazardous from July 2005.

There is now an increased responsibility on waste producers to ensure that waste is managed effectively – this means removing the emphasis on disposal and increasing the focus on reduction, reuse and recovery. This increased responsibility has brought a need for producers to increase their skills and competence as a firm basis for consistently pursuing best practice and innovative approaches.

With the pressure to decrease reliance on landfill, the race is on to develop new facilities and to embrace new technologies that will enable practical, alternative solutions. It is estimated, quite conservatively, that the sector is going to have to invest £1 billion a year over the next ten years to cope with the changed demands it will be facing.

The creation of a more complex and technologically advanced sector also means that levels of professional competence amongst waste management service providers must rise across the board to meet the new challenges.