Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme
Legislation and consultations
Article 5(2) of the EU Landfill Directive sets challenging targets for the UK to reduce the amount of biodegradable municipal waste sent to landfill.
Under the Landfill Directive, the UK is obligated to reduce the amount of landfill based on the amount of biodegradable municipal waste in 1995 to 75% by 2010, to 50% by 2013 and to 35% by 2020.
Government has consulted three times on how to meet this obligation. Limiting Landfill (1999) outlined several options for meeting Article 5(2) of the Landfill Directive and the option preferred by respondents - of a tradable landfill permit scheme (now known as allowances) - was explored in more depth in the Tradable Landfill Permits consultation (2001)
Following these consultations, the Waste and Emissions Trading Act (2003) was presented to Parliament. This Act provides the framework for a Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme designed to implement Article 5(2) of the Landfill Directive.
The Landfill Allowance and Trading Scheme consultation (2003) sought views on the detailed operation of the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme for England, to be established through regulations under the Waste and Emissions Trading Act. The consultation and summary of responses is also available.
The Landfill (Scheme Year and Maximum Landfill Amount) Regulations 2004. These Regulations amend the definition of the scheme year to 1 April-31 March 2004 and divide the UK's Landfill Directive targets between the four constituent countries.
The Landfill Allowance and Trading Scheme (England) Regulations 2004 came into force on 1 April 2005. These Regulations provide detail for the operation of the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme in England.
The Landfill Allowances and Trading Scheme (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2005 came into force on 9 May 2005. These Regulations reduce the LATS finanical penalty from £200 per tonne to £150 per tonne.
The UK Landfill Allowance Schemes
The landfill allowance schemes have been designed to enable the UK to meet the Landfill Directive targets for the reduction of biodegradable municipal waste sent to landfill. Each administration has developed its own landfill allowance scheme, to take account of local circumstances and priorities. The following table outlines a comparative analysis
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Page last modified:
29 June 2005
Page published: 5 February 2003