Local Authority Waste & Recycling Magazine
Issue link: https://fhpublishing.uberflip.com/i/527295
July 2015 Local Authority Waste & Recycling 21 COMPOSTING CONFERENCES AWARDS 2016 NET JOIN THE DOTS edie.net The Waste (Scotland) Regulations Key discussions points from the Vegware roundtable event. • If businesses segregate their waste correctly, complying should not cost them more. In fact, Biffa and others already say they have examples of businesses making big savings through increased recycling. • Large businesses see the biggest savings, and as such have been keenest to comply. • Future rises in landfill tax will see food waste rounds become even more viable, resulting in more savings for businesses. • Overall, compliance levels are high. Some private waste companies report compliance rates well over 90%. This can be attributed to the excellent level of engagement many have had with their customers, and the waste sector should be congratulated for this. • There are concerns that the messages aren't getting down to the smallest businesses, such as takeaways. • Targeted engagement will be key in order to pick up the final non-compliant businesses, as well as the new ones in January 2016. • The waste sector would like to see more enforcement, such as fines and prosecutions, from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. • Until now, Sepa has preferred education and positive enforcement but stressed that there will be prosecutions. • Larger businesses have been the initial focus. Regulators say they will target any non-compliant business with intelligence from service providers. • High contamination levels have increased treatment costs and reduced the economic viability of collections. • Consistent messaging is vital. A more uniform system could also reduce consumer confusion. Ideally, recycling streams and signage should be consistent across businesses and homes. • Contamination of the food waste stream is lower when compostable liners are used – they build the perception that waste is being handled correctly. Roundtable attendees: Zero Waste Scotland, Sepa, REA Organics Recycling Group, Biffa, Changeworks, Growing Forth/FRM, Lothian and Borders Waste Management, Mitie CORE and William Tracey. A full six-minute roundtable film with key waste sector interviews is available here: www.vimeo.com/vegware/scottishwasteregs Cost savings High compliance Enforcement action Contamination challenge odour lab