Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012

The regulations in Scotland in essence go ‘one-step further’ than their England and Wales counterpart, making the following provisions:

• All businesses, public sector and not-for-profit organisations are required to present metal, plastic, glass, paper and card (including cardboard) for separate collection from 1 January 2014.

• Food businesses (except in rural areas) which produce over 50 kg of food waste per week to present that food waste for separate collection from 1 January 2014.

• Food businesses (except in rural areas) which produce over 5 kg of food waste per week to present that food waste for separate collection from 1 January 2016.

• Local authorities to provide a minimum recycling service to householders.

• Waste contractors to provide collection and treatment services which deliver high quality recycling.

• A ban on any metal, plastic, glass, paper, card and food collected separately for recycling from going to incineration or landfill from 1 January 2014.

• All new incinerators must ensure that metals and dense plastics have been removed from residual municipal waste prior to incineration.

• A ban on biodegradable municipal waste going to landfill from 1 January 2021 .