Seven million reasons to recycle and compost more
Written by Shaun Moore on March 23, 2010
Gloucestershire is facing a landfill tax bill of £7.7million this year as the cost of burying waste rises.
Recycling more household waste is essential if the council is to avoid these hefty bills in future.
From April, landfill tax increases by £8 to £48 for every tonne buried and it will increase again next year.
Based on projected figures, Gloucestershire County Council will have to fork out around £7.7 million this year – that’s £1.3 million up on last year.
On top of this, councils also have a decreasing allowance for the amount of biodegradable waste buried and for every tonne above this allowance the council faces a fine of £150.
If recycling rates do not improve, next year’s charge will be much higher again.
Cllr Stan Waddington, cabinet member for environment and waste, said: “This is a shocking figure and really hits home the need for us to stop burying our waste.
“Gloucestershire County Council is working hard with its partners to increase recycling across the county and we currently recycle and compost 42% of household waste with a target of at least 60% by 2020.
“I would encourage everyone to do their bit by recycling, reusing or composting everything they can to help us divert waste from landfill as much as possible and avoid these hefty fines in future.”
