BDS Marketing confirms over 20 landfill closures in the last year

More than 150 sites have now been closed since recession started in 2008

BDS Marketing Research Ltd has identified over 20 landfill sites that have closed in the last year. The market has seen a further drop in waste that is landfilled. BDS estimates that landfill sites now take less than 30 million tonnes of waste a year. 

This is the first time that the sector has taken less than this amount due to several reasons. The landfill tax has increased to £72 per tonne. Some landfill sites have completed their void and planning has not been allowed for an extension, or the site has come to the end of its natural life.  

The development of alternative waste treatment options is also diverting waste streams away from landfill. 

BDS estimates that the largest national landfill company continues to be FCC. It is thought to be the largest operator in an area extending from the south east to the north west. The consultancy now calculates that Viridor have overtaken Biffa as the second largest landfill operator. Together, these three companies are estimated to have around 40% of the market. Other companies comprising the top five are Veolia and SITA.  

However, BDS has identified some marked regional differences. In most parts of England, the leading six landfill companies represent over 80% of the market. Yet, in northern England, Wales and Scotland, the largest landfill companies have a much smaller share of the market. In these areas, the shares of the leading companies represent around 70% or less of the total landfill market.

The report lists all known open gate landfill sites operated by waste-management companies. The estimated input of each site is included. It is a valuable reference document for waste-management companies and others to analyze market shares on a local, regional and national basis. The report also lists sites that have closed, mothballed or opened and identifies significant planning activity over the past year. 

These trends and conclusions are part of the annual report published by BDS Marketing Research Ltd which estimates the volumes of waste accepted at individual landfill sites in the country. For each landfill site and company, BDS estimates the amount of waste each landfill site has taken, with the information broken down by inert, municipal and other wastes. Company market shares on a county, region and nationally are then calculated.

Further details of the report entitled: ‘Estimates waste volumes deposited at landfill sites in Great Britain’ are available by contacting BDS Marketing.