Indicators of Sustainable Development for Scotland
Indicator 6. Waste: landfilled
Biodegradable municipal wastes landfilled in million tonnes
Year | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 |
Biodegradable municipal wastes land-filled (million tonnes) | 1.8 | 2.0 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 1.7 | 1.8 | N/A | N/A | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.9 | 1.8 |
Source: SEPA and Scottish Executive
Note: Data were not collected in 1995 and 1996 following transfer of responsibilities from the Scottish Office to SEPA.
The relevance of the indicator
The bulk of our waste goes to landfill. This represents a waste of useful material as well as a blight on the communities who live near landfill sites. Our priority is to reduce landfilling of biodegradable waste.
Detailed definition and source details
The indicator is defined as the amount of biodegradable municipal wastes landfilled assuming that 60% of municipal solid waste is biodegradable. The 2000 data refer to financial year 2000-2001 and are provisional. Full details of the source of data on municipal solid waste is given in Indicator 4.
Trends
Since 1989, the amount of biodegradable municipal waste has varied between 1.7 million and 2.0 million tonnes per year. The latest estimate is 1.8 million tonnes in financial year 2000-2001.
Further disaggregation
Further disaggregation of these figures is not currently possible.
Target
To reduce the amount of biodegradable municipal wastes landfilled to 1.25 million tonnes by 2010. This target is based on the 2010 Landfill Directive target to reduce biodegradable municipal wastes landfilled to 75% of reported 1995 levels and the assumption that 60% of municipal waste is biodegradable. The reported level of municipal waste landfilled in 1995 was 2.8 million tonnes.
Action
The National Waste Strategy sets the context for action on reducing landfill. The Area Waste Plans and the National Waste Plan will set out the alternative disposal routes that will be developed, including increased composting of biodegradable waste. A system of landfill allowances is being introduced that will place limits on the individual authority's use of landfill.