The current landfill allowance scheme (LAS), covering 2004-10, is based on 2001-02 performance. The Welsh Assembly Government proposes to use 2008-09 as the baseline year for the next LAS, up to 2020.

Newport has 4.7% of the Welsh population, but its landfill allowance will be reduced to 4.08% of the Welsh total. Sustainability manager, Carl Touhig, said: ‘The reduction of a further 1,600t of waste to landfill in 2013 could lead to potential fines of £320,000.’

Gareth Price, Newport’s head of law and standards, said: ‘Judicial review proceedings are ongoing to challenge the validity of the rebased landfill allowances set by the assembly as they effectively penalise Newport for the successful reduction in the landfill waste stream since the original figures were calculated. Other initiatives such as Prosiect Gwyrdd and the anaerobic digestion plant will also require considerable legal input.’

Prosiect Gwyrdd is a joint waste programme for five local authorities. Touhig said Newport had one of the UK’s most comprehensive and effective kerbside recycling collection systems and was currently recycling and composting 37% of its waste.

Seven other Welsh authorities are adversely affected by the rebasing. They include Merthyr Tydfil council, which says its projected landfill volumes of biodegradable waste would start to exceed its allowance in 2012-13 under the old regime, but in 2011-12 under the new. The new baseline reduces by 6.3% the council’s allowance for 2011-12.

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