wrgcsrreport.co.uk

Landfill diversion targets set by the UK implementation of the EU Landfill Directive have put pressure on society as a whole to improve on previously-unsophisticated means of waste segregation prior to landfill. The waste reduction, recycling and re-use philosophy has imposed specific targets on local authorities to meet these landfill diversion targets.

WRG’s core business is not a major consumer of natural resources. For example, the majority of our processes do not rely upon mains water or groundwater, and our sites are a net exporter of electricity.

The figure stated for the consumption of mains water in 2008 appears to be considerably higher than in previous years. It is true, as mentioned in the 2007 CSR report, that there are a number of locations throughout the Waste Recycling Group that have no means of collecting this data. However, as the new systems of recording and reporting this KPI data were implemented towards the end of 2008, efforts previously made throughout 2008 to record this data are obvious.

Leachate is the accumulation of contaminated rainfall collecting at the base of a landfill site, and it can present a risk of pollution if not properly controlled. Potential impacts to groundwater or to surface water courses are mitigated by operation of extraction systems to reduce leachate levels, in accordance with limits set within permits.

The landfill emissions data are based on those reported to the Environment Agency (EA). The total modelled release of methane was 175,375 tonnes. This is, once again, a slight decrease from the 2007 figure of 196,752 tonnes, which was, in turn, a decrease from the 2006 figure of 223,280 tonnes.

Inevitably, there will be an element of disturbance on wildlife and habitats with any development and operational activity. Impacts can be, by nature, short- or long-term, and negative and positive.