In an article by Waste Management World, the European Environmental Agency (EEA) and its European Topic Centre on Sustainable Consumption and Production (EIONET) have published the report 'Overview of the use of landfill taxed in Europe' (Working Paper No 1/2012). The report includes information on issues such as environmental, social and economic impacts for 21 European countries.
For landfill taxes the report concludes that twenty European countries have introduced a tax on waste sent to landfills generating total revenue of €2.1 billion in 2009-2010. This tax helps divert waste from landfill as companies will try to source alternative options, i.e. recovery for reuse or recycling where possible. Although most countries currently have their landfill tax for most common types of waste at €30 per ton, many countries are increasing their tax level to between €50 and €70. The UK tax has already increased almost 15% this year.
