Over 100 English Landfills May Be Leaking Hazardous Waste

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More than 100 old landfill sites in England, potentially contaminated with toxic substances, have flooded since 2000, posing serious safety and environmental risks. Many of these former dumps, which may contain hazardous materials such as pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, “forever chemicals” (e.g., PFAS), and liquid sludge, are located close to public parks and housing estates with hundreds of households.

The investigation by Greenpeace-funded Unearthed and The Guardian analyzed data from 20,000 former landfill sites in England, focusing on those that accepted industrial or special waste between 1945 and the mid-1990s, before stricter record-keeping laws were introduced. They cross-referenced these with Environment Agency flood data to identify sites where more than half of the surface area had flooded. Sites containing only household waste or known to be safe were excluded, leaving 105 high-risk sites, disproportionately located in poorer areas and northern England.

Experts warn that while many old landfills may contain inert waste, some could hold dangerous substances whose contents are poorly documented due to inadequate historic reporting. Climate change exacerbates the risk by increasing flooding and coastal erosion, which can release toxic contaminants into the environment, affecting watercourses and nearby communities. For example, some landfills near the Thames estuary have been found to leach heavy metals and organic pollutants for decades, with erosion exposing waste on beaches.

A broader analysis found that nearly 4,800 historic landfill sites in England lie within high flood-risk zones, with over 1,500 having flooded at least once in the past 50 years. Many of these sites lack protective linings, making them vulnerable to leaching contaminants during heavy rainfall or storm surges. There are also more than 2,600 former dumps within 50 meters of watercourses, increasing the risk of pollution spreading to rivers and groundwater.

Funding for monitoring and remediation has declined significantly since 2017, leaving many local authorities unaware or unable to manage these risks effectively. Without obvious signs of harm, many sites remain uninvestigated, potentially allowing contaminants to leach undetected. The Local Government Association warns that funding shortfalls could have devastating consequences for environmental safety.

Campaigners and experts call for stronger regulations, better record-keeping, and increased funding to address these legacy pollution risks, especially in light of climate change impacts like rising sea levels and increased flooding. The Environment Agency states it will continue supporting local authorities and leading remediation efforts where necessary to reduce risks to human health and the environment.

In summary, historic landfills in England represent a growing environmental hazard due to flooding and erosion intensified by climate change, compounded by inadequate oversight and funding. Urgent action is needed to assess, monitor, and remediate these sites to prevent toxic contamination of communities and natural ecosystems.