Waste disposal costs set to rise

The cost of building and demolition site waste disposal is set to soar in the wake of new EU regulations that are due to come into effect in July.
It is estimated that the regulations will lead to the number of landfill sites available for disposal of hazards such as asbestos being reduced from around 190 to as few as 14.
Demolition contractor How-ard Button said: "While we, as an industry, fully accept that asbestos waste must be handled correctly, we are very concerned that the reduction of tipping facilities will mean hazardous waste will have to be transported far greater distances for disposal.
"This will inevitably lead to increased cost, increased risk to other road users in the event of an accident, and increased disposal charges.
"The changes and increased costs can only escalate the very real threat of fly tipping."
Nick Davies, head of the waste management division of the Encia Group, has sounded a similar warning to developers and housebuilders.
"So far, only a handful of commercial operators have signalled an interest in running hazardous waste landfills in the future," he said.
"Costs of brownfield land development could escalate dramatically as a result."
The new legislation relates to the "co-disposal" of hazardous and non-hazardous waste. It will reclassify asbestos as hazardous waste as opposed to "special waste".