The UK faces major challenges in order to manage waste sustainability.  In 2007, government leaders issued a dire warning that landfill space will run out within the next nine years unless recycling rates are boosted.  Driving the message home were figures that revealed that an area the size of Warwick, which covers 109 square miles, is already taken up by landfill.  Land now slated for development along with protected green belt land and local opposition may prevent any further large scale landfill sites from being developed or used in the UK.

Landfill is generally considered the worst option for the environment.  It is a waste of valuable resources and methane from biodegradable waste decomposing in landfills is a potent greenhouse gas – 21 times more potent than C02. 

Landfill should become the home of last resort for waste.  Government could maximize energy recovered from unavoidable residual waste (that would otherwise go to landfill, so as to make the greatest contribution to their energy policy).  Government should also promote greater energy recovery to capitalize on potentially significant energy and carbon benefits. Meeting defined targets for recycling could mean an increase in energy recovery to about 25% of municipal waste in 2020 (compared to 10% today).

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To find out how the Knowaste recycling process can benefit your area, please contact us at:  feedback@Knowaste.com 

(sources:  Office, Local Government Association Media, 2007; DEFRA 2007)