Businesses in Scotland must take steps to manage waste responsibly and present certain materials separately for recycling.
All businesses have a legal Duty of Care when producing or handling waste. This means you must take all reasonable steps to manage your waste correctly.
The Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012 require businesses to separate key recyclable materials, including glass, metal, plastics, paper and cardboard. Depending on your business, you may also need to separate food waste for collection.
In practice, this includes storing waste securely, preventing it from causing harm to people or the environment, and only transferring waste to approved Scottish Environment Protection Agency's registered waste carriers. You must also keep appropriate records when waste is moved.
What does my business need to do?
The Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012 were passed by the Scottish Parliament on 9 May 2012. These regulations require your business to take the following actions.
- Your business must present metal, plastic, glass, paper and card for separate collection.
- If you run a food business (except in certain rural areas) which produces over 5kg of food waste per week you must present that food waste for separate collection.
- Where food collections are available, it will be illegal to dispose of food into the sewer (except in classified rural areas), for example, by using a macerator.
- Waste (Scotland) Regulations | Zero Waste Scotland
Do I need to separate food waste?
In some cases, yes. If your business produces over 5kg of food waste, you will need to present it separately for collection.
The exact requirements depend on how much food waste you produce and whether your business is located in an urban or rural area. If you are unsure what applies to your business, contact our team who can help you understand this.
Who regulates waste legislation in Scotland?
Waste Management in Scotland is regulated by The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) provides guidance and ensures that businesses comply with environmental regulations.
Why is it important to follow waste legislation for my business?
Following waste legislation helps your business manage waste responsibly, improve recycling and reduce environmental impact. It can also help you run your operations more efficiently and demonstrate good environmental practice. Further information is available on the Waste (Scotland) Regulations | Zero Waste Scotland page.
How can the Council support my business?
Our Commercial Waste Team is here to help your business understand what is required and put the right waste and recycling services in place.We can provide practical advice, help you improve your recycling arrangements and offer a range of flexible waste and recycling services to suit your needs. Whether you are setting up a new service or reviewing your current arrangements, we can support you.
How can I get advice or a quote?
If you need advice on waste legislation or want to set up the right waste and recycling services for your business, our Commercial Waste Services Team is here to help. Call 01738 476476, complete our online form.or email [email protected] to speak to the team today.
