« Previous | Contents | Next »
Listen
Indicator 6. Waste: landfilled
Biodegradable municipal wastes landfilled in million tonnes
Year | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
|---|
Biodegradable municipal wastes land-filled (million tonnes) | 1.9 | 2.1 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 1.8 | 1.9 | N/A | N/A | 1.8 | 1.8 | 2.0 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 1.8 |
|---|
Source: SEPA and Scottish Executive
Note: Data were not collected in 1995 and 1996 following transfer of responsibilities from the Scottish Office to SEPA.
The relevance of the indicator
The bulk of our waste goes to landfill. This represents a waste of useful material as well as a blight on the communities who live near landfill sites. Our priority is to reduce landfilling of biodegradable waste.
Detailed definition and source details
The indicator is defined as the amount of biodegradable municipal wastes landfilled assuming that 63% of municipal solid waste is biodegradable. To calculate the amount of biodegradable municipal wastes landfilled, for years prior to 2003 it has been assumed that 63% of the waste landfilled is biodegradable. For 2003, SEPA have estimated the amount of biodegradable municipal wastes landfilled using a more accurate mass balance calculation that takes account of the types of material recovered. The 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 data refer to financial years. Full details of the source of data on municipal solid waste is given in Indicator 4.
Trends
Since 1989, the amount of biodegradable municipal waste has varied between 1.8 million and 2.1 million tonnes per year. The latest estimate is 1.78 million tonnes in financial year 2003-2004.
Further disaggregation
Further disaggregation of these figures is not currently possible.
Target
To reduce the amount of biodegradable municipal wastes landfilled to 1.32 million tonnes by 2010. This target is based on the 2010 Landfill Directive target to reduce biodegradable municipal wastes landfilled to 75% of the biodegradable municipal waste reported in 1995.
Action
The National Waste Plan and the Area Waste Plans sets the context for action on reducing landfill. To help achieve the targets, the Scottish Executive has provided £335m up to 2007/08 to improve recycling and increase diversion away from landfill. A system of landfill allowances is being introduced that will place limits on the individual authority's use of landfill. The Executive and SEPA are also preparing a strategy on how to minimise domestic waste, through measures such as home composting.
« Previous | Contents | Next »