The Regulations will help implement aspects of Scotland’s Zero Waste Plan (ZWP 2010), which the Scottish Government describe as an economic, resource and waste strategy to foster economic growth and job opportunities through increased resource efficiency and waste minimisation.
The Regulations are likely to affect waste producers in three ways:
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by requiring that recyclable wastes are presented separately for recycling,
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that they are not then mixed in a way that hinders their potential to be recycled, and
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banning them from incineration and landfill.
For businesses involved in food and drink, the Regulations requirement will be that key recyclable materials, such as paper, card, glass, metal, plastics and food waste, are presented separately for recycling (rather than landfill or incineration).
To minimise the environmental impact from discharging food waste into the sewerage system, there will also be a ban on the use of non-domestic macerators.
Measures will be implemented incrementally and for businesses, 31 December 2013 is likely to be the first milestone, requiring that dry recyclable materials (e.g. paper, card, glass, metal and plastics) be presented for collection. Medium to large businesses are also likely to have to separate food waste for collection by the end of 2013. Small business will have a two year derogation for presenting food waste separately for collection. The ban on macerators is likely to follow these timescales.
Other significant milestones are bans on mixing, incinerating or landfilling dry recyclable material collected for recycling which are likely to come into effect at the end of 2013 and 2015. There is also a ban on sending biodegradable material (e.g. food waste, paper and card) to landfill, proposed for the end of 2020.
Whilst these measures may seem challenging, the implementation timescales allow sufficient time for business to make the necessary arrangements. A good starting point could be your waste contractor; Sustainable Food & Drink’s food waste collection map and directory ; and the business support section on Zero Waste Scotland’s website. Business Gateway and Scottish Enterprise will also help you adapt to these regulations.
More information is also available from:
