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Waste (Environment, State of the South West 2011)

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7.16.1 The long-term sustainable management of waste represents an ongoing and significant challenge for the region. Landfill remains the principal method of waste disposal in England, as it is in the South West. We are seeing positive trends towards a reduction in the amount of waste that we produce and the proportion that we reuse or recycle, however, at the present rate of input the region only has six years of landfill life left for non-hazardous waste.

7.16.2 During 2009 regulated facilities in the South West managed over 11 million tonnes of waste. This was 8.5% of waste managed in England and Wales (Environment Agency, 2010). Of this:

  • 4.2 million tonnes of waste were disposed of in landfill sites.
  • 6.2 million tonnes went to transfer and treatment facilities, some of which destined for final disposal or recovery.
  • 1 million tonne was handled by metal recycling sites.
  • 31 thousand tonnes were incinerated

7.16.3 Input to transfer facilities fell by 780 thousand tonnes (16.8%) since 2008; over half of this was due to facilities receiving less waste, rather than site closure or a cease in operations. The facility types where the majority of this decrease occurred were at sites accepting household, industrial and commercial wastes. However, Input to treatment facilities increased by 251 thousand tonnes (12.3%) in 2009, mainly in the throughput of household, industrial and commercial wastes.

7.16.4 Nine operational incinerators received nearly 31 thousand tonnes in 2009. These same sites reported 38 thousand tonnes
received in 2008. The fall is mainly due to the closure of one site in early 2009.

7.16.5 Inputs to composting sites increased by a massive 85.5% (266 thousand tonnes). Metal recycling inputs fell by 125.7 thousand tonnes (11%) since 2008.

Waste Management
7.16.2 During 2009 regulated facilities in the South West managed over 11 million tonnes of waste. This was 8.5% of waste managed in England and Wales (Environment Agency, 2010). Of this:

  • 4.2 million tonnes of waste were disposed of in landfill sites.
  • 6.2 million tonnes went to transfer and treatment facilities, some of which destined for final disposal or recovery.
  • 1 million tonne was handled by metal recycling sites.
  • 31 thousand tonnes were incinerated

7.16.3 Input to transfer facilities fell by 780 thousand tonnes (16.8%) since 2008; over half of this was due to facilities receiving less waste, rather than site closure or a cease in operations. The facility types where the majority of this decrease occurred were at sites accepting household, industrial and commercial wastes. However, Input to treatment facilities increased by 251 thousand tonnes (12.3%) in 2009, mainly in the throughput of household, industrial and commercial wastes.

7.16.4 Nine operational incinerators received nearly 31 thousand tonnes in 2009. These same sites reported 38 thousand tonnes
received in 2008. The fall is mainly due to the closure of one site in early 2009.

7.16.5 Inputs to composting sites increased by a massive 85.5% (266 thousand tonnes). Metal recycling inputs fell by 125.7 thousand tonnes (11%) since 2008.

 


7.16.6 Just over 2.7 million tonnes of municipal waste (waste collected by local authorities, mainly domestic in nature) was collected in the South West during 2009 / 2010, 10.3% of the English total of 26.5 million tonnes. Within the regions, total municipal waste was highest in the South East with 4.2 million tonnes and lowest in the North East with just over 1.4 million tonnes (Defra, 2010).

7.16.7 Municipal waste in the region was 3.2% (90 thousand tonnes) lower than the 2.8 million tonnes in 2008 / 2009; 8.7% lower than the peak of almost 3 million tonnes collected in 2004 / 2005, but now only 2.2% greater than in 2000 / 2001.

Figure 7.16.1 Municipal waste arisings from 2000/01 to 2009/10

[ Zoom ]
Municipal waste arisings from 2000/01 to 2009/10 (Fig 7.16.1)
Municipal waste arisings from 2000/01 to 2009/10 (Fig 7.16.1)
7.16.8 Around 91% (2.5 million tonnes) of all municipal waste collected in the South West during 2009 / 2010 was classified as household waste, the largest proportion of which came from regular household collections (45.2%) and household recycling (43.5%). The rest came from civic amenity sites and other household sources.

7.16.9 Since 2002 / 2003 the quantity of waste from regular household collection has decreased every year. In 2009 / 2010 the South West collected 531 thousand tonnes less than in 2002/2003 and now stands at 1.1 million tonnes. In the same time frame, household recycling experienced a corresponding increase of 592 thousand tonnes.

7.16.10 46.9% (12.5 million tonnes) of municipal waste was sent to landfill in England during 2009 / 2010. The proportion of waste sent to landfill is now 32 percentage points lower than in 2000 / 2001 and 3 percentage points lower than in 2008 / 2009.
7.16.11 The long-term sustainable management of waste represents an ongoing and significant challenge for the region. Landfill remains the principal method of waste disposal in England, as it is in the South West. The South West landfilled 54.3% (1.5 million tonnes) of municipal waste in 2009/2010. This was the second highest proportion recorded by an English region and seven percentage points higher than the National rate.

7.16.12 There was 45.5 million cubic metres of landfill capacity available in the South West in 2009, an 18% decrease from that available in 2008. Based on 2009 rates of input, the region had just over six years of landfill life for non hazardous wastes.

7.16.13 There is a direct correlation between the proportion of waste sent to landfill declining and the proportion recycled or composted increasing.

Figure 7.16.2 Waste management in the South West

[ Zoom ]
Waste management in the South West (Fig 7.16.2)
Waste management in the South West (Fig 7.16.2)
7.16.14 The household recycling rate in England increased significantly from 11.2% in 2000/2001 to 39.7% in 2009/2010.

7.16.15 The South West had the 3rd highest household recycling rate in England, (43.5% in 2009/2010) behind the East (46.1%) and East Midlands (45.6%). This rate has increased significantly from 14.9% in 2000/2001.

7.16.16 In the South West, Devon had the highest recycling rate with 52.6%. Bournemouth (50%), Dorset (49.6%), Somerset (48.7%) and Swindon (47.5%), all follow this closely. The Council Isles of Scilly recycled only 19% of municipal waste.

Figure 7.16.3 Regional household recycling rates 2000/01 to 2009/10

[ Zoom ]
Regional household recycling rates 2000/01 to 2009/10 (Fig 7.16.3)
Regional household recycling rates 2000/01 to 2009/10 (Fig 7.16.3)
7.16.17 The Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme is currently in its fifth year of operation. It provides each unitary and waste disposal authority a tradable allowance of Biodegradable Municipal Waste (BMW) that can be landfilled within a specified year. Allowances have been set at a level that will help England to meet its targets for reducing BMW landfilled, under the Landfill Directive.

7.16.18 The Landfill Directive sets 3 targets:
1. By 2010 to reduce the amount of BMW going to landfill to 75% of that produced in 1995
2. By 2013 to 50% of that produced in 1995
3. By 2020 to 35% of that produced in 1995

7.16.19 Allocations will reduce between now and 2020, but the scheme allows authorities to trade, bank or borrow allowances (whilst diverting BMW from landfill) in order to meet these targets. Financial penalties are incurred for not meeting allowances.

7.16.20 The amount of Biodegradable Municipal Waste (BMW) sent to landfill is continuing to decline. Around 8.4 million tonnes of BMW were landfilled in England (2009/10); nearly 3 million tonnes less than local authorities could have landfilled and over 9% less than in 2008/2009. Of this, just over 1 million tonnes were landfilled in the South West a 6% decline on 2008/2009 and nearly 102 thousand tonnes less than LATS allowances for 2009/10. In total England sends 46% less BMW to landfill than it did in 2001/02 (Environment Agency, 2010).

7.16.21 Within the region Gloucestershire County Council and South Gloucestershire Council landfilled more than their allocation in 2009/10; an allowance deficit of 2,711 and 905 tonnes respectively. Devon County Council landfilled over 23 thousand tonnes less than their allowance. However, by percentage allocation, Bournemouth Borough Council landfilled the least, sending only 60% of their allocation to landfill.

Commercial and Industrial Waste Arising Survey 2010
7.16.22 Defra have recently published the results from the Commercial and Industrial Waste Arisings 2010 survey. The results provide estimates of waste generated by these sectors and follows from previous surveys carried out in 1998/99 and 2002/03. The results can be used to help in waste planning, for the future.

7.16.23 Total commercial and industrial waste produced in England during 2009 was estimated to be 48 million tonnes. Estimates for the South West region total 4.07 million tonnes; 8.5% of the national estimate.

7.16.24 Mixed wastes and non-metallic wastes account for over half of commercial and industrial waste generated in the South West. The same can be seen nationally and across other waste types, with one exception – mineral wastes. The South West deals with proportionally less;7.0% compared to 18.5% dealt with nationally.

7.16.25 The retail and wholesale sector accounts for 21.3% (868.6 thousand tonnes) of the regions estimated commercial and industrial wastes. The food, drink and tobacco sector follows with 13.1% (532.8 thousand tonnes). Other sectors range between 3.5% and 9.8%, with Education accounting for the least of these.

Figure 7.16.4 Waste by Sector (tonnes) in the South West, 2009

[ Zoom ]
Waste by Sector (tonnes) in the South West, 2009 (Fig 7.16.4)
Waste by Sector (tonnes) in the South West, 2009 (Fig 7.16.4)
7.16.26 Over 2.03 million tonnes (49.8%) of commercial and industrial waste was recycled or reused (including composted waste) in 2009, compared to 40.1% in 2002/03. A total of 801.3 thousand tonnes (19.7%) was sent to landfill in 2009, compared to 42.3% in the last survey.

Table 7.16.1 Commercial and Industrial waste estimates (thousand tonnes), and recycling rates

   2002/03  2009
 South West Total
  5,556  4,074
 South West Recycling Rate %
  40.0  49.8
 England Total
 67,907  48,018
 England Recylcing Rate %
 42.2  52.0

7.16.27 A more intensive survey was carried out in the South West in order to improve estimates at the Waste Planning Authority level (WPA). Inevitably with smaller sample numbers within WPA’s, it was necessary to fill data gaps using a top down approach, where regional or national means multiplied by the business population were used. Therefore there will be differences between the regional estimate of the National report and that using only local data for the WPAs. More details on the survey and methodology are available on the Defra website.

7.16.28 Total arisings calculated for the 16 WPAs within the South West were 3.8 Million tonnes. Gloucestershire, Devon and Somerset accounted for nearly 39% of the regions commercial and industrial wastes, the rest varied
from less than 0.1% in the case of the Isles of Scilly to 9.5% in Cornwall.

Figure 7.16.5 Commercial and Industrial Waste estimates by South West Waste Planning Authority (WPA), 2009

[ Zoom ]
Waste types by WPA (Waste Planning Authority), 2009 (Fig 7.16.5)
Waste types by WPA (Waste Planning Authority), 2009 (Fig 7.16.5)
7.16.29 As in the national survey, the generation of waste across businesses still show the retail and wholesale, followed by the food drink and tobacco sectors, to have the greatest proportions; nearly 36% combined, of total arisings. Nearly 64% of arisings from the retail and wholesale sector, came from 6 WPAs (Devon (15.6%), Cornwall (10.9%), Gloucestershire (10.4%), Somerset (10.2%), City of Bristol (8.6%) and Wiltshire (8.1%)). Nearly 69% of waste generated by the food, drink and tobacco sector comes from only 4 WPAs (Dorset (21.0%), Somerset (20.9%), Cornwall (14.9%) and Gloucestershire (12.0)).

7.16.30 As previously identified in the national report non-metallic wastes and mixed wastes account for the greatest proportions of total arisings. In the South West survey they account for 32.0 and 28.0% respectively. The chart above show the amounts and proportions across each WPA and waste type. With a few exceptions, several waste types have a similar proportion of the overall total arisings, across the WPAs e.g Healthcare wastes only vary
between 1.3 and 3.4% across the WPAs. Common sludges and discarded equipment follow a similar pattern, with the exception that the Isle of Scilly recorded 10.3% of discarded equipment; though arisings here only total 1.3 thousand tonnes.

7.16.31 Of the 16 WPAs in the region 9 recycle, reuse or compost over 50% of their commercial or industrial waste. Dorset has the lowest recycling rate at 36.2%. However, Dorset also had the highest proportion (31.9%) of waste
where the waste management type was recorded as unknown, some of this may well have been recycled.

7.16.32 For more information on this survey, its methodology and results, see the Defra website.