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Written question asked by Lord Whitehead (Labour) on Tuesday, 15 July 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 1 September 2003. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Monday, 1 September 2003 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, to what standards she will require hazardous waste arising from the manufacture, formulation, supply and use of plastics to be treated before landfill from 16th July 2004; and on what basis these standards have been set; to what standards she will require organic based waste from paints and inks to be treated before landfill from July 2004; and on what basis these standards have been set; to what standards she will require hazardous waste containing (a) high levels of mercury, (b) high levels of arsenic, (c) high levels of nickel and (d) icocynates to be treated before landfill from 16th July 2004; and on what basis these standards have been set. - Including ref to Landfill (England and Wales) Regulations 2002.
Answer

Dr. Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to (1) what standards she will require hazardous waste arising from the manufacture, formulation, supply and use of plastics to be treated before landfill from 16 July 2004; and on what basis these standards have been set; [126872] (2) fairs to what standards she will require organic based waste from paints and inks to be treated before landfill from July 2004; and on what basis these standards have been set; [126873] (3) to what standards she will require hazardous waste containing (a) high levels of mercury, (b) high levels of arsenic, (c) high levels of nickel and (d) icocynates to be treated before landfill from 16 July 2004; and on what basis these standards have been set. [126874] Mr. Morley: Under the Landfill (England and Wales) Regulations 2002, waste can only be accepted at landfill if it does not result in unacceptable emissions to groundwater, surface water, or the surrounding environment, jeopardise environment protection measures, put at risk waste stabilisation measures at the landfill or endanger human health. As from July 2004, all hazardous waste as defined in the Regulations will require treatment prior to landfill. This requirement will extend to non-hazardous waste on a date yet to be specified. When the Council Decision on Waste Acceptance Criteria is implemented, for waste to be accepted in hazardous waste landfills, separate cells in non hazardous waste landfills or in inert waste landfills, it must meet the criteria set out in the Decision. These criteria include limit values for chemical and other contaminants and for organic content. These values were drawn up by an EU Commission scientific modelling group, chaired by a scientist from the Environment Agency. We will be consulting shortly on the implementing of the Council Decision on Waste Acceptance Criteria in England and Wales. Overall, the Government is committed to reducing the UK's reliance on landfill, which makes little practical use of waste and is a missed opportunity to recover value from waste.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
409 c843-4W; 126872;126873;126874
Session
2002-03
Subjects
Hazardous substances Landfill Paint Plastics Standards Waste management Waste disposal Waste Mercury Nickel Arsenic
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk