BURNHAM: LANDFILL DECISIONS SEND "MIXED MESSAGES"

3.01.00pm GMT Tue 10th Mar 2009

Eleanor Burnham, Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for North Wales has criticised the Welsh Assembly Government for jeopardising waste reduction and recycling in Wales by sending "mixed messages" on landfill.

Commenting, Eleanor, Shadow Minister for Communities, said "There is recognition and legislation covering the fact that as a nation we need to reduce the amount of waste we send to landfill sites. Investment and encouragement are being given to alternatives such as anaerobic digestion.

"After an inquiry, a planning inspector recently overturned Flintshire council's decision to reject proposals for a new landfill site and I have to wonder why and how this happened. The council obviously recognises its environmental responsibilities and is aware of the enormous landfill tax costs.

"In Wrexham, waste in a landfill site is to be used to generate and sell electricity to the national grid which is an excellent idea, but it mustn't lead us into thinking positively about new landfill sites.

"In Plenary today I challenged the First Minister to accept that the Government must be far more consistent about landfill and get the message out loud and clear that they are no longer acceptable in Wales. It is vital that people continue to be encouraged to reduce, re-use and recycle rather than pour thousands of tonnes of waste into landfill."