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Introduction
The National Waste Plan (2003) sets out the direction of Scotland's waste strategy up to 2020. The focus has been mainly on municipal waste and includes ambitious recycling and composting and waste prevention targets. This framework, in conjunction with the National Waste Plan, outlines the Scottish Executive (the Executive) and Scottish Environment Protection Agency's ( SEPA) approach to business 1 waste. While the municipal waste elements of the National Waste Plan have been underpinned by significant financial support through the Strategic Waste Fund, this is not applicable for business waste as the 'polluter pays' principle is well established and requires that waste producers pay for the collection and disposal of the waste they produce. This means that public money should be directed to providing support and advice and intervening where there is a particular need to stimulate trends, or evidence of market failure.
Key areas where Government has a role to play in relation to the sustainable management of business waste are:
Data
- Collecting and disseminating accurate data, to help industry, Government and public agencies plan accordingly ( SEPA has the lead role).
Business Support
- Advice services are funded by the Executive and SEPA to provide advice and support to business on waste minimisation, resource efficiency generally and legislation.
Fiscal Measures
- For example, Landfill Tax, to discourage the use of landfill (central taxation is a reserved matter for H M Treasury).
Producer Responsibility
- Producer responsibility legislation, which will ensure producers pay for the cost of managing their waste. Legislation here is made by the Executive, in partnership with Government Departments across the UK, and SEPA (and the Environment Agency) has an enforcement role.
Land-Use Planning
- The legislation establishing the planning regime is framed by the Scottish Parliament and then implemented by local authorities and the Executive. SEPA is one of the statutory consultees on waste planning applications and Development Plans.
Market Development
- Setting the overall policy framework in which recycling markets can develop.
The Public Sector
- The public sector has a clear role to lead by example in relation to sustainable waste management.
Our work to encourage sustainable waste management forms part of our work to promote sustainable development and to tackle climate change.
This paper is divided into seven sections. Each section discusses relevant issues and identifies work currently underway and future work. The future work is summarised in an on-line action plan detailing responsibilities and timescales. This document will be updated at least every 6 months and additional work will be added as appropriate. Both the Framework document and Action Plan are available at www.scotland.gov.uk/topics/environment/waste/17103/9197
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