Landfill

HC Deb 05 June 1990 vol 173 cc484-6W

Mr. Janman

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has considered the value of a landfill tax to provide revenue for use in the promotion of recycling as an alternative to landfilling.

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

[holding answer 23 May 1990]: We are considering all effective means of encouraging waste recycling.

Mr. Janman

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider the introduction of a financial incentive to waste authorities which initiate landfill mining and reclamation through recycling.

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

[holding answer 23 May 1990]: Any financial incentives to waste authorities that initiate landfill mining and reclamation through recycling would be contemplated only after an in-depth study of the concept and in the light of any incentives which may or may not be afforded following the current joint DOE/DTI proposals on recycling.

Mr. Janman

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if his Department will make a study into the technology available at the present time and in the immediate future to recycle the contents of landfill sites in England and Wales.

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

[holding answer 23 May 1990]: This subject is one of a number in connection with waste disposal and recycling currently under review by this Department's research and development group.

Mr. Janman

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if his Department has made a study into the implications of landfill content in the event of the removal of(a) glass, (b) paper, (c) metals, and (d) other solids by source separation; what new regulations his Department will be considering to counter the increased problem of methane that may result; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

[holding answer 23 May 1990]: This Department has not yet made a study of the implications of landfill content in the event of removal of glass, paper, metals and other solids by source separation. The removal of metals and glass would have minimal influence on the production of methane in landfill. Paper, however, degrades in landfill to produce methane and its removal would therefore diminish the overall gas potential.

Mr. Janman

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if his Department will initiate a comprehensive study into the potential of landfill mining through recycling; and what incentives his Department intends to offer the development of such schemes.

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

[holding answer 23 May 1990]: This Department will initiate a study into the potential of landfill mining through recycling if it is considered to be a viable option by the Department's research and development group. The question of incentives would be considered subsequent to any decision made.

Mr. Janman

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if his Department has made a study of the technology now available in the private sector to recycle the contents of landfill sites; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

[holding answer 23 May 1990]: This Department has not made a specific study of the technology available in the private sector to recycle the contents of landfill sites.

Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy in respect of lining requirements for landfill sites; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

[holding answer 23 May 1990]: Any decisions with regard to the lining of landfill sites are for operators in pursuit of obtaining a site operation licence or for operational reasons or for the waste disposal authority in respect of the issue of a site operation licence in consultation with the National Rivers Authority.

My Department has produced guidance documents—waste management paper 26, Iandfilling wastes and waste management paper 27: "The Control of Landfill Gas"—to provide assistance to site operators and licensing authorities in installing management systems and in setting licence conditions.