Scottish landfill capacity gap confirmed – waste will have to travel to England instead
Environmental Services Association
A long awaited Scottish Government report has finally confirmed industry’s concerns that Scotland faces a 1 million tonne residual waste capacity gap upon implementation of the landfill ban.
From 1 January 2021, landfill operators in Scotland will be prohibited from accepting biodegradable municipal waste for disposal in landfill. Despite industry investment in around 950,000 tonnes of additional treatment capacity to help meet the 2021 ban, a lacklustre residual waste policy framework coupled with an uncoordinated approach to public procurement has proved the greatest hurdle to securing the additional investment needed to close the capacity gap further.
SESA’s policy advisor, Stephen Freeland said:
“To unlock investment in sufficient non-landfill capacity the industry needs more commitment from the Scottish Government than a fleeting reference to the landfill ban within regulation. This investment is reliant upon a strong and enabling waste policy framework for nonrecyclable waste which has, up to now, been sadly lacking. We suggest that the Scottish Government provides details of a long term infrastructure and investment plan for Scotland to allow private and public-sector partners to adequately identify options for appropriate development.”
“SESA Members aim at all times to achieve cost effective regulatory compliance. Unfortunately, in this case, landfill in England is the only practical option available to the industry for dealing with the majority of the 1 million tonnes of waste that needs a new home in 2021. This will be a £100m Landfill Tax gift to the English revenue.”
