A new study published by the Local Government Association (LGA) has revealed that the UK is the "dustbin of Europe". The research has shown that the UK dumps more household waste into landfill than any other country in the European Union, with 22.6 million tonnes sent in 2004/05. However, Government figures for 2006/07 have shown households recycled record amounts and the levels of landfill waste actually fell.
Figures released by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) show that between 2005/06 and 2006/07 the proportion of household waste which was recycled or composted rose from 27.1% to 30.7%, and the amount being landfilled fell from 17.9 to 16.9 million tonnes. However the LGA have argued that other European countries had also cut their landfill amounts since 2005, leaving the UK still at the top of the rubbish heap. With 109 square miles already being used as landfill in the UK, if the current trend continues the landfill space could run out in under nine years.
The study shows that the UK sent the same amount of rubbish to landfill as the 18 EU countries with the lowest rates combined, despite those countries having almost twice the population. Other landfill villains include Italy, with 17.6 million tonnes and Spain, with 14.2 million. Paul Bettison, chairman of the LGS's environment board said, "For decades people have been used to being able to throw their rubbish away without worrying about the consequences. Those days are over. Local people, businesses and councils all have a vital role to play to protect our countryside before it becomes a mountain of rubbish."
