Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme
The Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme (LATS) introduces significant and innovative changes in waste policy and practice for the diversion of biodegradable municipal waste from landfill. It is intended to provide a cost effective way of enabling England to meet its targets for reducing the landfilling of biodegradable municipal waste under Article 5(2) of the EC Landfill Directive.
Here we bring together all the available information and guidance to assist local authority waste managers in planning for the introduction and operation of the scheme. The page will be updated regularly, as information becomes available.
If you have any questions about the scheme, or the information contained here, please contact the Landfill Policy Team at landfill.policy@defra.gsi.gov.uk.
- Introduction
- Allocation of landfill allowances
- Allowance trading guidance
- Guidance on the monitoring of the scheme
- Electronic register of landfill allowances
- Frequently asked questions
- Legislation and consultations
- Contacts
News and announcements
April 2008 - The Government response (PDF 20 KB) to the consultation on the interpretation of the definition of municipal waste used in LATS has been published.
Government response to the consultation on the interpretation of the definition of municipal waste used in LATS in England
The Government issued a consultation on the interpretation of the definition of municipal waste used in LATS in England in mid 2007. As a trading scheme operating over a period of several years the success of the scheme relies on long term certainty and clarity. Local authorities must have confidence about the scope and operation of the scheme if they are to be able to plan for the longer term and make effective use of it.
It was clear that there was still a level of uncertainty about the interpretation of the definition of municipal waste used in the scheme. Some local authorities were concerned by the apparent difference between the practical definition used in the Government’s guidance and the legal definition set down in the Waste and Emissions Trading Act 2003. Government therefore set out and consulted on proposals to amend the definition of municipal waste in the Waste and Emissions Trading Act 2003 to resolve the apparent tension with the Government’s interpretation.
The overwhelming majority of responses to the consultation agreed that there is a need to clarify the interpretation of municipal waste used in LATS. In light of this response the Government therefore decided to take forward the proposed changes for the 2008/09 LATS scheme year. Further details can be found in the full Government response (PDF 20 KB) to the consultation.
Page last modified:
4 April 2008
Page published: 5 February 2003