The Landfill Allowances and Trading Scheme (LATS) sets a limit on the amount of biodegradable municipal waste (BMW) that each unitary and waste disposal authority in England can send to landfill. We monitor the authorities and report their performance annually.
2008/09
- The waste disposal and local authorities in England landfilled 9,326,167 tonnes of BMW in the 2008/09 scheme year. This is a reduction of over 1.2 million tonnes from the previous year.
- England is already landfilling almost 1.9 million tonnes less BMW than is needed to meet its contribution towards the UK target for 2009/10.
- It is important that good progress continues to be made on the diversion of BMW waste from landfill, and that new infrastructure continues to develop.
- In this scheme year English local authorities again made use of the flexibilities of the scheme, with 13 authorities either borrowing or buying allowances to meet their obligations.
2007/08
- Waste disposal and unitary authorities in England landfilled 10,581,953 tonnes of biodegradable municipal waste (BMW) in 2007/08. England landfilled 8.4 per cent less BMW in 2007/08 than in 2006/07.
- Twelve authorities landfilled more in 2007/08 than their original 2007/08 allocations (a total of 45,735 tonnes more). Eleven used allowances banked from previous scheme years, five bought additional allowances from other authorities and one brought forward allowances from its own 2008/09 allocation.
- The total number of allowances available progressively reduces between now and 2020. To ensure national Landfill Directive targets are met, particularly in 2013 and 2020, authorities will need to divert even more BMW from landfill.
2006/07
- In 2006/7, the total amount of BMW that could be sent to landfill in England was 17,345,508 tonnes.
- Waste disposal authorities in England landfilled 11,548,212 tonnes of BMW; 20.5 per cent less than they were originally allocated.
- Ten waste disposal authorities together landfilled 24,618 tonnes more than their combined allocation. Of the ten, one borrowed from its 2007/8 allocation of allowances and eight bought additional 2006/7 allowances from those with a surplus.
2005/06
- In 2005/6, the total amount of Biodegradable Municipal Waste (BMW) that could be sent to landfill in England was 15,196,000 tonnes.
- Waste Disposal Authorities in England landfilled 12,380,966 tonnes, 18.5 per cent less BMW than they were allocated.
- Ten Waste Disposal Authorities collectively landfilled 36,796 tonnes more than their combined allocation, nine of these were Unitary Authorities and one was a county council.
