HMRC have published draft guidance on landfill tax. Materials that can be classified as naturally occurring, and therefore taxable at the lower rate of £2.50, include:
“Group 1 of the 2011 Order allows the following waste materials to be lower rated: naturally occurring rock, clay, sand, gravel, sandstone, limestone, crushed stone china clay, construction stone, stone from the demolition of buildings or structures, slate, sub-soil, silt, and dredgings. Generally, these materials are formed by a natural process and are therefore naturally occurring.”
HMRC also states:
“Mechanical processing such as crushing or sorting does not in itself affect the 'naturally occurring' status. Therefore waste containing only naturally occurring group 1 materials that have been crushed or sorted are still 'naturally occurring'. However, chemical or thermal processing does affect the 'naturally occurring' status (but minerals that have been processed or prepared may qualify for the lower rate under Group 3 of the 2011 Order).”