It's much easier being green thanks to landfill tax
15 Jan 2000
The landfill levy the tax on wastes sent to landfill has proved to be a 'roaring success' in its first year, according to the environmental industry's trade organisation. Over 1000 projects researching alternative disposal methods have received funds from the levy.
The levy, charged at £2 per tonne of inert waste and £7 per tonne of other wastes, was introduced by the former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Kenneth Clarke. Designed to deter the use of landfills, the levy was intended to raise £450million in its first year. Most of this is destined for the public coffers, but landfill operators can voluntarily divert 20 per cent of the landfill levy paid to them into a series of approved environmental projects, such as research into alternative disposal reuse and recycling methods, waste management or environmental improvement projects. In return for this, they receive a tax credit for 90 per cent of their contribution so for every £100000 donated, they receive back £90000.
Through this mechanism, some £26million has been granted to the environmental project teams, says the Environmental Services Association, the trade organisation for the waste management industry. And more could be on its way; landfill operators still have two months to make contributions. 'This is an excellent example of government, environmental groups and industry working together,' comments ESA chief executive Peter Neill (see page 43).
