28 Deferred

The Government must set out in its response a timeline to divert PFAS waste from...

Recommendation
The Government must set out in its response a timeline to divert PFAS waste from landfill towards safer treatment or destruction technologies to manage increasing volumes of PFAS waste without causing further environmental contamination. (Recommendation, Paragraph 95)
Government Response Summary
The government recognises the importance of effective PFAS waste management and is conducting a review of landfill policies, considering POPs and PFAS, and gathering information for future interventions. They state any transition from landfill will be phased and evidence-led, but do not provide a timeline.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government Deferred
Effective PFAS waste management which addresses the risks associated with disposal to landfill is very important. We recognise the need to reduce the potential for PFAS to enter landfill and to support the development and deployment of more effective treatment and destruction options to manage increasing volumes of waste and prevent further environmental contamination. We are conducting a review of policies required for landfills to ensure they continue to meet environmental standards in the future. POPs and PFAS will be an important consideration for this work, and we are presently gathering further information required for potential future interventions. International approaches to the disposal of PFAS contaminated waste, and the applicability of such approaches to UK waste streams, will be assessed. Any transition away from landfill will need to be phased and evidenceled, taking account of available treatment and destruction capacity, environmental outcomes, and potential unintended consequences. Waste policy is devolved, and the UK Government will continue to work closely with devolved governments to support coordinated development and delivery of waste policy in this area.