Landfill tax to rise by 22% in 2025                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Just last week it was announced that landfill tax will rise by 22% from April 2025, a substantial increase above current inflation rates.

This tax will add £26.94 to the cost of moving a tonne of waste that can’t be recycled, raising the standard rate from the current price of £103.70 to £126.15.

The landfill tax was first introduced in the UK in 1996 and cost just £7 per tonne, rising an average of £8 per year until 2014 when it was agreed the tax would rise annually in line with inflation - now set to stand at over 1702% higher than its initial price 29 years ago.

The increase is estimated to raise an additional £50 million a year and it is hoped will incentivise investment in more sustainable waste management infrastructure.

And, although the surprise increase is said to hit local councils, businesses and private households hard, the landfill tax has led to an incredible 90% reduction in local authority waste sent to landfill since 2000.

Indeed, for the Energy from Waste sector, the sharp rise in landfill tax should serve to accelerate the transition away from landfill; the sector having been faced with considerably higher operating costs due to inflation - particularly relating to rising material costs and staffing.