Latest Landfill Tax figures published by HMRC

31 AUGUST 2010

HMRC's monthly Landfill Tax data shows the amount of waste that has been received into landfill in the UK. The figures have to be reconciled each quarter, so whilst each month provides little statistical value, the third month in each quarter provides a good indicator of what is really happening.

The latest data for June completes Q2 and shows a continued recovery - if that's the right word - in the amount of lower rate inert waste being landfilled. Nearly four times the amount of this waste was landfilled compared to the same period last year, suggesting a continued recovery in the construction sector.

The general rate, on the other hand, continues to stagnate. After 8 years of pretty much continuous decline, the last 18 months have seen the level sit at an annualised 27m tonnes. This is somewhat surprising given the way that the tax has risen over the last couple of years although it could be argued that as the economy improves, the amount of waste being produced should increase, so a flat figure shows an actual percentage decline. Nevertheless, given EU Landfill Directive targets, these figures may suggest problems ahead.