Had it not been sent to landfill, businesses could have saved an estimated £67 million in landfill disposal costs. It costs around £60 per tonne to dispose of waste to landfill. This includes the gate fee and landfill tax currently set at £40 per tonne and with landfill tax set to rise to £72 a tonne by 2013, the cost of waste disposal is set to increase even further .

Environment Agency Wales is calling on all businesses to consider the economic benefit of adopting good environmental practice by cutting the amount of waste they send to landfill.

Earlier this month, the Welsh Assembly Government launched for consultation their new visionary Waste Strategy to make Wales a zero waste nation by 2050. An integral part of the proposed strategy is to work with businesses to help minimise the waste they produce and make it easier for them to recycle their waste and not send it to landfill.

Chris Mills, Director of Environment Agency Wales, said:

“We all know that it is a difficult time for businesses in Wales. Commercial and industrial businesses have all been hit by the current economic downturn. These sectors are hugely important in terms of jobs, playing a key part in local economies and supporting a wide range of smaller businesses that depend on them."

“Good environmental performance has in the past been seen as a hindrance, rather than a help to many businesses. However, more and more businesses are now realising the benefits that it can bring. This survey has identified an area where businesses can make cost savings and boost their profits. Reducing the amount of waste they produce and recycling more will be cost-effective now, and even more into the future.”

For more information contact Curig Jones on 029 2046 6251 or email curig.jones@environment-agency.gov.uk

Notes

The survey was carried out by Urban Mines. The key facts and figures from the survey:

• Welsh industrial and commercial sectors generated an estimated 3.6 million tonnes of waste, split 53%:47% between industrial and commercial businesses
• 1.9 million tonnes of waste was generated by the industrial sector and 1.7 million tonnes by the commercial sector
• A significantly lower proportion of industrial waste was sent to landfill (29%) compared to commercial waste (51%)
• More industrial waste was recycled, reused, composted and land recovered (63%) compared to only 38% for commercial waste.
• Of the total waste produced, 31% were mixed wastes which the majority is disposed to landfill. These are particularly from the commercial sectors - wholesale & retail, accommodation & food services and education

The results of the survey can be found in full at: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/library/publications/107692.aspx

More information about the Agency is available on the world wide web – www.environment-agency.wales.gov.uk