Waste management - etude de marche

This Key Note Market Report analyses the UK waste management market, with particular reference to sources of waste, collection and final disposal. In 2004, the market was worth an estimated £4.85bn, a rise of 5.5% on 2003. In 2003, total waste arisings in the UK were an estimated 434 million tonnes. The most significant tonnages were for demolition/construction, minerals (mining and quarrying) and agriculture. Although municipal waste accounted for less than 10% of total waste arisings in 2003, it is a diverse and complex sector, so the report gives particular attention to this area.
To provide a context for trends in the waste management sector, the waste hierarchy is discussed in some detail. This is a scheme that prioritises waste management options, ranging from the most effective solutions (prevention of waste at source) to the least desirable options (landfill and waste incineration without energy recovery). In terms of options for handling waste, there is now great emphasis on recycling to enable the UK to achieve its targets set out in the EU Landfill Directive, which requires a phased reduction in waste sent to landfill.

The waste management market is now governed by a raft of EU legislation covering landfill, incineration and electrical/electronic equipment, with more topics in the pipeline. This legislation, together with an escalating landfill taxation, means that all sectors of society will have to give more thought to waste management.

The waste management market faces important issues. Although progress is being made to reduce waste sent to landfill, the UK still remains behind many other EU countries in this respect. Hazardous waste is a topical matter at present, with the dramatic reduction in sites licensed to take this type of waste. If the UK is to make a major impact on reducing landfill waste, a range of new facilities will have to be built. Planning permission can be difficult and can take a long time, although discussions are taking place between the industry and the Government to see how this procedure could be improved. Legislation continues to increase, with associated costs and paperwork. This has led to an increase in illegal dumping of waste, including a greatly increased number of abandoned cars. Progress is being made in the municipal sector, with a range of recycling schemes now in operation. The waste trading scheme now allows local authorities to trade their landfill allowances.

The waste management industry is becoming more sophisticated, both managerially and technologically. This presents a challenge to the waste management market, which is experiencing difficulties in attracting capable people to work in the industry. Attracting and retaining young people is a particular problem.

In the future, the UK will experience further emphasis on recycling and an increased cost for landfill. Specific targets and legislation will come into force for the disposal of vehicles, electrical/electronic equipment and batteries. There will also be restrictions in the use of certain metals and materials in electrical/electronic equipment. Overall, both producers and users of products and services will be required to share in the responsibility for waste and its management.