Waste
SEPA has a statutory duty to protect the environment and human
health from the effects of waste management and disposal. Our
powers range from waste data reporting to enforcing European
compliance schemes. We also support the Scottish Government and
other organisations delivering the National Waste Plan.
The amount of waste going to landfill in Scotland has more than
halved its 16 million tonne figure since 1994. A total of 7.32
million tonnes of controlled waste went to landfill in Scotland in
2005. However, the risk of increased greenhouse emissions means
that further reductions still need to be made. Fly-tipping is also
a big problem in Scotland, with over 34,000 incidents reported in
2005–2006 alone.
Preventing and minimising waste are the most effective ways of
easing its negative effects. However, waste can also be put to good
use through reuse, recycling, composting and thermal treatment – a
process that uses heat to treat and recover energy from waste.
Find out more about the full range of our statutory powers,
waste licences and tips on how you can minimise waste in this
section.