European Directive for Landfill Sites

 In 2002/3:

• some 21,000 tonnes of asbestos were disposed of to 26 landfill sites in Scotland, and
  
  
• some 340,000 tonnes of asbestos were disposed of to several hundred landfill sites in England and Wales
  

 Following the recent European led changes to landfill operating licences:

• Wales now has no sites licensed to accept asbestos
  
• Northern Ireland now has no sites licensed to accept asbestos
  
• Scotland now has 3 sites licensed to accept asbestos (reduced from 26)
  
• England now has some 34 sites licensed to accept asbestos (reduced from several hundred)
  

It is, therefore, clear that there is simply insufficient space available in UK landfill sites to accept the millions of tonnes of asbestos waste that will be generated by traditional asbestos removal techniques over the coming years. In addition, significant haulage journeys are now being carried out to transport hazardous waste across the country to the few sites able to accept it, causing further environmental problems. A sustainable solution is, therefore, essential.