Recycling should be high on the agenda as landfill taxes pinch
29 July 2010
The report presents a summary of gate fees charged for a range of alternative waste treatment, recovery and disposal options, together with an analysis of the factors likely to influence future gate fees and comparison with last year’s report.
One clear trend to emerge from this year’s survey is the impact of the landfill tax escalator, which will continue to make landfill more expensive compared with other options. Respondents to the survey suggested that as the UK pulls out of the recession, the cost of borrowing reduces and more capacity becomes available, gate fees may fall for some facilities. However, this reduction is unlikely to be passed on to local authorities until they retender their contracts.
Some respondents suggested that falling gate fees at MRFs could encourage greater focus on the quality of materials to increase the value recovered from the market. However, other survey respondents noted that higher landfill tax, alongside higher regulatory costs, may work to increase fees across a range of treatment options,
Phillip Ward, Director of Local Government Services at WRAP said: “Now entering its third year, the gate fees report gives an up-to-date snapshot of the waste management industry and its charges. The report again highlights that recycling is still generally the cheapest option as well as being better for the environment.” He continued: “The way in which waste is collected, treated and disposed of continues to change rapidly. If this does signal a new focus on improved quality from material recovery facilities that will be welcomed by reprocessors.”
This report is produced to raise price transparency and, through improving the flow of information, enhance the efficiency with which the waste management market operates. A lack of market information may reduce a local authority’s ability to make informed decisions on waste management options in terms of both economic and environmental costs. Indicative gate fee information should assist them in making better informed decisions regarding waste management options.
Editor's notes
- The WRAP Gate Fees Report 2010 can be found here: http://www.wrap.org.uk/recycling_industry/publications/gate_fees_2010.html
- WRAP’s vision is a world without waste, where resources are used sustainably. We work with businesses and individuals to help them reap the benefits of reducing waste, develop sustainable products and use resources in an efficient way.
- Established as a not-for-profit company in 2000, WRAP is backed by government funding from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- More information on all of WRAP's programmes can be found on www.wrap.org.uk
Emma Heesom
PR Manager
Tel: 01295 817858
emma.heesom@wrap.org.uk
