Written question asked by Lord Pickles (Conservative) on Wednesday, 10 October 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 October 2007. It was answered by Joan Ruddock (Labour) on Thursday, 18 October 2007 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Landfill: Methane

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what requirements there are for (a) new and (b) existing landfill sites to collect methane emissions from the site and use them as an energy source.

Answer: The EU Landfill Directive (1999/31/EC) requires landfill gas to be collected from all new and existing landfill sites receiving biodegradable waste; landfill gas must be treated and used; and landfill gas which cannot be used to produce energy must be flared. The collection, treatment and use of landfill gas must be undertaken in a manner which minimises damage to or deterioration of the environment and risk to human health.In this context, an existing landfill site is one which was operational on or after 16 July 2001.

Secondary information