Can Zero-To-Landfill policies be achieved?

Over the past few months we have been involved in writing a number of tenders for large and/or complex waste management solutions. One question gets me every time:

“Do you have a zero-to-landfill policy?”

Yes, we do, absolutely. It is our policy to never landfill anything, but the technology and facilities are not in place to allow this to happen.

Some types of waste don’t have a recycling route, so a 100% diversion from landfill policy is simply not possible, if you collect a wide range of waste from your client base.

At Enviro Waste Management we recycle or reuse over 95% of all waste collected. We are in the process of reviewing our 2023 performance currently, and if that figure rises we will let you know.

Do you think that people mistake a zero-to-landfill policy with meaning that literally zero waste goes to landfill?

Here is a list of items that might go to landfill currently (if they can’t be incinerated for energy generation):
– Certain Plastics
– Mixed Materials
– Waxed or Contaminated Paper
– Certain Ceramics and Pottery
– Treated Wood
– Electrical Cords
– Broken Glass
– Styrofoam (Expanded Polystyrene)
– Textiles Treated with Certain Chemicals
– Certain Metals