HC Deb 25 February 2002 vol 380 cc921-2W
Mr. Sayeed

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the adequacy of treatment and disposal facilities in place to handle hazardous water and waste banned from landfill under the forthcoming Landfill Regulations. [34488]

Mr. Meacher

The Department in conjunction with the National Assembly for Wales, the Scottish Executive and the Northern Ireland Assembly has undertaken an assessment of the implications of the landfill directive for the future management of wastes banned from landfill.

The aims and objectives of the study were: to identify and evaluate the potential impact of the landfill directive on the management of hazardous wastes and liquid wastes in the UK, and to identify and assess the alternative waste management options that may be available to ensure the continued safe management of wastes for which landfilling will be restricted under the landfill directive.

The study found that there was sufficient alternative disposal systems (in use or planned) to cope with the large volume of organic process waste streams requiring diversion from landfill. It also suggested that additional facilities might be required for oily wastes, contaminated soils, and inorganic chemical wastes.

Copies of the study have been disseminated widely.