Waste rules catch firms unaware

Rubbish must now be checked for material that can be recycled

Most British firms are unaware of the strict new requirements on waste disposal that apply to all of them.

Among small and medium businesses, 80% were not aware of the new requirements while 53% of larger companies did not know, according to Taylor Intelligence.

The European Union rules require that all waste sent to landfill sites must already have been treated.

The rules are already effective in Scotland and have been extended to England and Wales from 30 October.

The legislation says all waste sent to landfill must be treated and it is the responsibility of the firms that produce the waste to meet the rules.

'Throwing money'

As a minimum, firms will have to pay contractors to sort their rubbish and remove anything that can be recycled before the rest is sent to landfill.

"Businesses are in the business of making money and running their business, they're not keeping their eyes out for the latest updates on websites," said Matt Hardman, from the Forum of Private Business.

"Throwing money at advertising does not necessarily mean engaging with the right people," he added.

According to Envirowise, the government-financed programme aimed at helping firms reduce their environmental costs.

"By making simple improvements in their resource and waste management, businesses can then help deliver a better environment by reducing reliance on landfill," it says.

The Producer Pre-Treatment Requirement is one stage of the 1999 European Union Landfill Directive.

For firms to meet the new rules, they will be able to separate waste by dividing it from the start or by organising for a waste contractor to collect waste as a whole before it is sorted and the recyclable material set aside.

Incineration at a certified outlet is also possible.

The European Union has previously said biodegradable waste in landfills poses an environmental threat because of the methane in landfills.