The role of landfills in the United Kingdom

Abstract

The paper describes the priority given to licensing in the control of waste management in the UK. It outlines both the historical and present day impact of EU legislation on UK practices and explains potential problems and benefits resulting from the implementation of the EU landfill directive. Basic waste data is given and some of the key factors underpinning waste regulation are delineated- primarily sustainable development - but also land-use planning, groundwater protection and global climate change. The paper concludes by profiling the UK's life- cycle programme for waste management and its intended uses.