More action on waste targets

11:03am Tuesday 30th September 2008

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MORE needs to be done to meet targets for waste reduction, according to a council watchdog.

The Audit Commission claims the UK can meet EU targets to cut the amount of waste that gets dumped in landfill if councils continue progress on things like recycling.

Under the European Union Landfill Directive, the UK needs to halve the amount from 1995 levels by 2013.

But the commission says investment in waste disposal technologies that convert waste into energy or fuel will have the most significant impact on landfill reduction, and more should be done to set up facilities quickly.

It claims if schemes already planned were delayed by just two years, England would exceed its landfill allocation and £140 million in EU penalties could be picked up by the taxpayer.