On 16 July, two significant deadlines for the EU Landfill Directive passed. Eight years after the Directive's entry into force, member states must now ensure that all landfills meet the directive's technical standards or are shut down. The provisions mandate environmental protections including control of leachate, landfill gas and pests. Beginning Thursday, member states must also cut the amount of biodegradable wastes sent to landfill to 50 per cent of the 1995 value. Noting the expiration of the transitional phases, the EU Commission reminded the member states of their reporting obligations and of the Commission's intent to closely monitor the implementation of the Directive.(17 July 2009)

On 16 July, two significant deadlines for the EU Landfill Directive passed. Eight years after the Directive's entry into force, member states must now ensure that all landfills meet the directive's technical standards or are shut down. The provisions mandate environmental protections including control of leachate, landfill gas and pests. Beginning Thursday, member states must also cut the amount of biodegradable wastes sent to landfill to 50 per cent of the 1995 value. Noting the expiration of the transitional phases, the EU Commission reminded the member states of their reporting obligations and of the Commission's intent to closely monitor the implementation of the Directive.