Landfill in the UK is currently recognised as the Best practicable environmental option (BPEO) for the disposal of certain waste types. In order to apply the principles of the EC 5th Programme of Policy & Action in relation to the environment and sustainable development the Government has prepared a waste strategy. The waste strategy policy on landfill is to promote landfill practices which will achieve stabilisation of landfill sites within one generation. This policy is to be implemented through guidance set out in a revised series of waste management papers on landfill. In addition, the UK and many other countries are parties to the 1992 agreement on sustainable development at the Earth Summit. The UK s strategy for sustainable development was published in 1994. In the field of waste management, the strategy requires that the present generation should deal with the waste it produces and not leave problems to be dealt with by future generations (a generation is considered to be30-50 years).