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5.1 Implementing and complying with the Directive’s targets for reductions in the landfill of biodegradable municipal waste will, in turn, require adequate data collection and monitoring systems at the local and national level. This chapter briefly considers the main data issues arising from limits on the landfill of biodegradable municipal waste and asks for views. However, it is recognised that further data and information needs might emerge as the design of the final instrument is refined.
Putting in place an instrument to limit the landfill of biodegradable municipal waste
5.2 The current data on municipal waste arisings does not include data on the composition of the waste however, and current compositional figures are based on the results of survey data from the Environment Agency. Better estimates of how much of this waste is biodegradable, depending on the source (local authority) and collection/separation systems in place, may be required (see paragraph 4.35). This could result in authorities being required to submit evidence on the biodegradable content of a range of their wastes, with updates required under certain conditions or at set intervals.
5.3 As set out in paragraph 3.12, a method is needed to apportion the Directive’s targets between England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. Also, depending on the instrument chosen to limit landfill, a method is needed to apportion the targets, possibly also between individual landfill sites or local authorities. What data are needed to achieve this will depend upon the instrument chosen. For instance, to ‘grandfather’ permits on the basis of how much municipal waste a landfill site currently accepts, data would need to be provided by site operators on what municipal waste they have accepted in a base year through evidence, such as contracts and gate receipts. Such data could be backed up by information provided by the local authorities.
Monitoring & compliance
5.4 To ensure compliance with limits on landfill of biodegradable municipal waste, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency will need powers to scrutinise data and information from local authorities and landfill site operators on how much biodegradable municipal waste is going to landfill. The exact nature of this information and the frequency with which it is obtained will depend upon the instrument chosen to limit the landfill of biodegradable municipal waste.
Reviewing progress
5.5 The amount of biodegradable municipal waste produced will impact on the amount of waste needing to be diverted away from landfill to meet the Directive’s targets. Data on the amount of biodegradable municipal waste produced, together with information on the provision of alternatives to deal with waste diverted away from landfill, will provide an indication of the progress being made to meet the Directive’s targets. SEPA is developing a waste data strategy and a recent survey indicated the current amount of municipal waste which is being produced in Scotland, and locally. However, this will need to be reviewed and possibly placed on a statutory footing to ensure that the necessary range of information is collected. In reviewing data needs, the Scottish Executive will consider whether there is any scope to rationalise data needs arising from the implementation of an instrument to limit the use of landfill of biodegradable municipal waste with other needs.
UK reporting requirements
5.6 The UK is required to complete and send to the Commission a report on the implementation of the Landfill Directive, paying particular attention to the national strategy to be set up in pursuance of Article 5 (the Directive’s targets for limits on the landfill of biodegradable municipal waste). The report will draw on a range of data and information provided to Government, including the data described in the above paragraphs.
5.7 Views are invited on the data required to be collected and monitored to ensure the implementation, compliance and monitoring of progress in meeting limits on the landfill of biodegradable municipal waste.
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