Council taxpayers could face a bill of up to £3bn for soaring landfill charges over the next four years, the Local Government Association has claimed. It is the latest in a series of increasingly-dire warnings on the costs of dumping refuse and the need to cut excessive packaging issued by the LGA in the countdown to the local elections. The association – which has already said that landfill space will run out in nine years without drastic action to improve recycling rates and reduce waste – has pointed out the landfill tax paid by councils for refuse disposal rose to £24 a tonne from 1 April and will increase to £32 a tonne next year. The association also said that by 2010, councils faced the prospect of £150 a tonne fines on rubbish sent to landfill sites, over and above a set quota. While, by 2013, fines could rise to £200 a tonne, according to the National Audit Office. Lord Bruce-Lockhart, chairman of the LGA, said: ‘This new analysis clearly demonstrates the huge financial problems facing councils because of the escalating cost from landfill tax. ‘The fear is that householders could ultimately pick up the cost of this. Above all, councils will be working with local residents to work out exactly what sort of waste service and approach is needed to minimise the £3bn bill. ‘Even if councils work with residents and increase recycling to 40%, they are still going to be left paying tax on the rest of the waste that ends up in landfill. ‘The ultimate solution is to reduce the total volume of waste that we produce, including packaging. Manufacturers have a vital role to play in cutting unnecessary packaging.'
