An explanation of the waste data for 2010.
Types of information
The information presented is sourced from the following monitoring data:
Waste operator returns: a summary of inputs into regulated facilities required by permit condition.
These returns are usually required quarterly, the exception being metal recycling facilities, which are required to submit returns annually.
Data is reported by the European Waste Code (EWC) and district of origin. District of origin is not mandatory but most operators do report this information.
Output data is available on request but is not summarised in this report.
Hazardous waste returns: required under the Hazardous Waste Regulations.
Producers of hazardous waste are required to register with the Environment Agency. When waste is moved to regulated facilities, operators report the amount and type of hazardous waste received and details of the waste producer they received it from.
Information is reported by European Waste Catalogue code and Disposal and Recovery (D&R) code.
All movements are recorded separately and the same waste may move between multiple types of facility. This double counting should be taken into account when using the data.
Inputs into incinerators and capacity: required by permit schedule and/or permit condition.
Information on types and quantities of waste incinerated, reported annually under the permit schedule or quarterly if the permit has a waste return condition. Authorised capacity is specified in each permit.
This data is not included on the detailed download.
Landfill capacity: required by permits with installations under the annual environmental monitoring report.
Information on the remaining landfill capacity at the end of the calendar year. Some data was collected directly from operators.
Calculation of landfill life for non hazardous wastes
An estimation based on dividing the non hazardous void by total non hazardous waste inputs.
Waste density figures used were 1.2 tonnes per cubic metre for non hazardous waste and 1 tonne per cubic metre for inert waste. Engineering and cover was assumed to consume 25 per cent of total voidspace.
Information not included
These web pages do not include information from:
- Non-regulated facilities;
- Facilities with exemptions from regulation;
- Facilities with no requirement to report waste throughputs/capacity;
- Outputs reported under the Pollution Inventory - This data can be accessed from the Pollution Inventory (PI) data team:
- PI data team
- Waste from mining facilities;
- Waste from agricultural premises.
Some information is available for some of the above categories. Contact us to find out who we may be able to help you with these.
Glossary of terms
Landfill: Permitted facilities where waste is permanently deposited for disposal.
Transfer: The deposition and separation or bulking up of waste before it is removed for recovery or disposal.
Treatment: Physical, chemical or biological processing of waste to reduce its harmfulness or volume and to facilitate its recovery or disposal.
Incineration: The burning of waste at high temperatures, in the presence of sufficient air, to achieve complete combustion, either to reduce its volume or its toxicity.
Deposit in landfill for the purposes of recovery: Permitted facilities where waste is permanently deposited for the purposes of recovery. Not the same as landfill for disposal.
