An investigation by law firm Norton Rose found more than two-thirds (69%) of respondents believed the 2013 target would be missed, leaving the UK open to fines of up to £500m.

Planning remained the most significant barrier to the timely delivery of waste projects, according to 70% of those interviewed.

In the sector, 97% now think private firms have an important role to play in enabling the UK to resolve the problem of how to cut its waste ‘mountain’.

Although sustainable energy is becoming an important political issue, 54.2% said they believed there was not a viable long-term market for waste by-products such as refuse-derived fuel.

Mark Berry, partner, Norton Rose LLP, said: ‘There are real opportunities being missed to maximise the amount of heat and electricity recovered from biomass waste.

‘Unfortunately, the Government has concluded that there is no overall consensus about measures to encourage use of waste biomass.’

Norton Rose interviewed 60 stakeholders – comprised of waste management companies, technical advisers, local authorities, banks and financial advisers – within the UK waste sector.