Archived press release

Industry unprepared for new EU law on toxic waste

15 July 2004

Friends of the Earth welcomed tough new EU rules on the disposal of toxic waste which comes into effect today (Friday). But the environmental campaign group warned that action is needed to prevent toxic waste being fly-tipped.

The EU landfill directive will ban the disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste in the same landfill site. Waste, such as asbestos, acids and pesticides will no longer be accepted at most landfill sites, and the number of landfills that can accept hazardous materials is expected to fall from dramatically.

Friends of the Earth says that the new legislation will force industry to reduce the amount of hazardous waste it produces, and increase the amount it recycles. But it criticised the Government for not doing enough to encourage industry to take action ahead of the new rules.

Friends of the Earth Waste campaigner Claire Wilton said:

"We welcome these new rules on hazardous waste. This should lead to a reduction in the amount of toxic waste industry produces and an increase in the amount it recycles. But the Government has been too slow in encouraging industry to take action, despite the fact that it has known about this change in the law for the past five years."

"Communities should not have to suffer environmental pollution caused by fly-tipping. The Government must make sure there are enough places where hazardous waste can be safely disposed. The Government must also introduce policies to cut the amount of hazardous materials used to make products and clean up and to re-use contaminated land."

Every year England and Wales produce about five million tones of hazardous waste which largely comes from the construction, chemicals, electronics and lubricant oil industries. This figure is growing by about eight per cent a year.

Friends of the Earth wants:

• Industry to take action to reduce the amount of hazardous waste being produced
• Government to introduce economic and policy measures to ensure this happens
• Councils to increase the number of collection, re-use and recycling facilities for household hazardous waste.
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