Cut Waste Costs with the EWC Interrogator
Landfill Tax Just Went Up – Now What?
This month, landfill tax jumped by a staggering 20%, hitting £126.15 per tonne. And that’s before you factor in the gate fees charged by landfill operators, who, let’s face it, are in the business to make a profit. Waste disposal just became significantly more expensive – especially for companies sending materials to non-inert landfill.
In 2023 alone, England sent 11 million tonnes of non-inert waste to landfill in 2023. Despite a decade of talk about achieving zero waste to landfill, we’re clearly not there yet.
What Is Going To Landfill?
Chart 1: Tonnage received in landfills in England (2023) (excludes any mineral and construction wastes)
According to recent data, this mixed landfill-bound waste includes everything from everyday municipal waste (from apple cores to zebra-print cushion covers) to mechanically sorted rejects and large, bulky items like mattresses and old sofas (see Chart 1).
Why This Matters
With waste disposal costs soaring, it’s never been more critical for businesses to understand their options. The goal: move waste up the hierarchy toward more sustainable treatment methods and avoid landfill wherever possible.
For waste that can’t be easily recycled — like contaminated black bin bag waste — the go-to solution has been energy-from-waste (EfW). This process incinerates waste to generate electricity or even produce heat for district networks and nearby industries.
But Here’s the Catch
Even if you’ve already moved away from landfill, you’re not immune to rising costs. That’s because the cost of landfill (tax + gate fee) acts as a benchmark for EfW pricing. When landfill costs go up, EfW gate fees often follow suit.
And there’s more. The EfW sector is about to face additional cost pressures with the planned inclusion in the Emissions Trading Scheme. In short: it’s going to get more expensive to burn waste too.
Enter the EWC Interrogator
With over 7,000 permitted facilities across England, Wales, and Scotland, the EWC Interrogator from Footprint Services is your essential tool for navigating this complex – and costly – landscape.
Every waste stream has a designated EWC (European Waste Catalogue) code. The EWC Interrogator is an intuitive, interactive dashboard that instantly shows you which licensed facilities can accept your specific waste type. Whether you’re looking to cut costs, switch suppliers, or find a more sustainable recovery process, this tool puts the power in your hands.
Why It Matters Now More Than Ever
Rising prices demand smarter decisions. The EWC Interrogator helps you explore alternative disposal routes, discover specialist outlets, and find operators offering better rates or improved recovery options. In short, it helps you rethink waste – not as a burden, but as a potential resource in a circular economy.