Quality Report for Waste from All Sources 2023
An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland
15th July 2025
Scottish Waste from all Sources Generated and Managed
1. Introduction
This report describes the methodologies to produce the Waste from All Sources (WFAS) statistical waste data for Scotland for the 2023 calendar year. The report should be used alongside the 2023 WFAS statistical commentary. The WFAS dataset covers waste generated from households, construction and demolition, waste generated from commerce and industry and total waste managed. The 2023 data are presented as follows:
The WFAS data are presented in a summary and commentary document. This narrative describes the major trends and provides an interpretation of the data. It allows the user to download waste data tables in Excel format and to download chart graphics of waste data trends.
Scotland’s Environment Waste Discover Data tool is a dashboard that presents the WFAS data in an interactive and visual format and is found on Scotland’s Environment web.
The WFAS statistics are structured according to the waste management options set out in the Scottish Government’s Guidance on applying the waste hierarchy, which is, from more desirable to less desirable:
Prevention - if you can’t prevent, then …
Prepare for reuse - if you can’t reuse, then …
Recover - if you can’t recover, then …
Recover other value - if you can’t recover value, then …
Disposal - Landfill if alternative not available.
This document is structured in line with the waste hierarchy, except for household waste, which is presented in a stand-alone section. Household data is taken from a discrete dataset (WasteDataFlow) and therefore this methodology is reported in a single section.
1.1 Reporting datasets
Data Sources
Data sources referred to at various parts of the document, and the agency that carries out the analysis on that dataset are listed below:
- Scottish authorised waste data returns (SEPA)
- Survey of licensed/permitted Scottish waste sites for information about the industry sector of waste reported in site returns (C&I sector survey, SEPA)
- Household wastes managed by Scottish local authorities (SEPA)
- Wastes managed by exempt activities in Scotland (SEPA)
- Scottish accredited packaging waste reprocessors (SEPA)
- Hazardous waste data interrogator (Environment Agency)
- Survey of aggregate producers listed in Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS) Aggregates Quality Protocol Supplier Directory (SEPA)
- Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Regulations returns (SEPA)
- English waste returns (Environment Agency)
- SEPA annual PPC permit reports (SEPA)
- Agricultural modelling (SEPA)
Data Sources and dataset components
A summary of which datasets used to prepare component data of the WFAS is shown in below.
Waste managed by exempt activities in Scotland:
- waste generated
- non-organic recycling
- organic recycling by composting or AD
C&I sector survey:
- waste generated
Survey of aggregate producers (simple exempt sites):
- waste generated
- non-organic recycling
Scottish accredited packaging waste reprocessors & UK packaging waste generated:
- non-organic recycling
Transfrontier waste shipment:
- incineration
Environment Agency waste returns & Hazardous waste interrogator:
- waste generated
SEPA annual PPC permit reports:
- incineration
Agricultural modelling:
- waste generated
Limitations
Several data sources, used for varying purposes are combined to generate the data used in the WFAS dataset. The reporting components listed above which rely on one source of data could be considered more robust than those that rely on multiple sources of data. We are aware that there are gaps within these datasets and SEPA in partnership with ZWS and the Scottish Government is currently reviewing Scotland’s waste data strategy. Part of this review is to identify and address gaps in the reporting dataset.
In 2023, the total amount of Scottish waste managed was 9.41 million tonnes which was 135,000 tonnes (1.4%) less than the amount of waste generated (9.55 million tonnes). In publications before 2011, the gap between waste managed and waste generated was larger, with the waste generated typically between 15% - 30% greater than waste managed. SEPA produced a revised methodology for estimating commercial and industrial (C&I) waste data generated (introduced with the 2011 publication) and for construction and demolition (C&D) waste aggregates recycled (introduced with 2016 publication and applied to historical data). With these new methodologies this gap is not as large, ranging from 9.4% more waste generated than managed in 2011 to 7.5% less in 2016.
For the WFAS statistics, no attempt has been made to reconcile the tonnages of waste generated and waste managed. There will be double counting of some data: for example, incinerator tonnages are gross input tonnages to incinerators. No attempts have been made to exclude from the landfill tonnages any incinerator outputs of ash sent to landfill.
It should be noted that this approach differs from the household statistics, in which waste generated and waste managed is balanced, apart from waste sent to interim storage. Using the incineration example: in the household statistics, ‘incineration’ are net inputs to incinerators to avoid double-counting of incinerator outputs.
In some cases, the quantities of household waste and WFAS are counterintuitive. For example, there may be more household waste than WFAS for a given reporting category. This is a product of using different datasets and corresponding methodologies which are not comparable. If such an inconsistency exists, attempts have been made in this document to outline possible reasons for the inconsistency and steps that are planned to address the shortcomings.
1.2 List of appendices
Appendix 1 provides a fuller description of the datasets listed above, including any links to return forms and guidance.
Appendix 2 lists three separate conversions of data that were used in the Commercial and Industrial (C&I) generated methodology (also see Section 3.2)
Appendix 3 and Appendix 4 list the waste categories used in the household waste methodology (also see Section 9).
Appendix 5 provides a list of codes that comprise Municipal waste, and the biodegradability factors assigned to these codes for calculation biodegradable municipal waste landfilled.
Appendix 6 provides a summary of the coding of waste using European Waste Catalogue (EWC) and European Waste Catalogue for Statistics (EWC-STAT), which are used throughout this document.
Appendix 7 provides a glossary of terms.
Appendix 8 provides a list of acronyms.
1.3 Waste data strategy
Scotland has a waste data strategy, with an associated action plan, the delivery of which is governed by a waste data strategy board. The strategy includes an action to develop an electronic waste tracking system to track waste across the UK. Mandatory digital waste tracking (DWT) will be introduced from April 2026. A successful transition to DWT will lead to one waste dataset used to estimate all waste generated and managed, which would replace the data sources listed above. This will increase data robustness for waste reporting in Scotland and, as there will be no requirement to survey licenced sites or use historical business surveys to allocate an industry sector to waste produced, improve the quality of C&I data.
1.4 Revisions Policy
Revisions may occur for various reasons, including when data from third parties is unavailable or provisional at the time of publishing or if there are subsequent methodological improvements or refinements.
The figures are accurate at the time of publication. However, the data may be updated if further revisions are necessary. Normally these revisions will be published concurrent with the next release.
Where there have been changes in methodology for the waste data tables, the complete dataset will be revised for all years to ensure that comparisons between years are valid.
There were no methodological changes since the 2022 publication. Minor revisions since the 2022 publication account for revised data return rates by waste operators, and the re-categorisation of an additional Scottish municipal waste incinerator to the R1 incineration efficiency standard.
2 Progress against Targets
2.1 Introduction
The Scottish Government’s Making Things Last – A Circular Economy Strategy for Scotland sets out the Scottish Government’s vision for a zero waste society. This vision describes a Scotland where all waste is seen as a resource, where waste is minimised, where valuable resources are not disposed of in landfills, and where most waste is sorted, leaving only limited amounts to be treated.
This circular economy strategy sets measurable targets for tracking progress against the objectives specified in the plan. Some of these targets are derived from EU directives such as the Waste Framework Directive. Below is a summary of these targets from the Scottish Governments circular economy strategy circular economy strategy:
- By 2017, reduce waste generated in Scotland to 93% of 2011 baseline (Scottish Government target)
- By 2020, The preparing for re-use and the recycling of 50% by weight of waste materials such as paper, metal, plastic and glass from household waste and similar (EU target)
- By 2020, 60% recycling/composting and preparing for re-use of household waste (Scottish Government target)
- By 2020, no more than 1.26 million tonnes of biodegradable municipal waste to be sent to landfill (EU target)
- By 2020, 70% recycling and preparing for re-use of construction and demolition waste (EU target)
- By 2025, no more than 5% of all waste to go to landfill (Scottish Government target)
- By 2025, 70% recycling/composting and preparing for re-use of all waste by 2025 (Scottish Government target)
- By 2025, reduce waste generated in Scotland to 85% of 2011 baseline (Scottish Government target)
Scotland’s strategic plan to deliver Scotland’s zero waste and circular economy ambitions are under review, with a public consultation on Scotland’s circular economy and waste route map to 2030 recently completed, which includes a new range of proposed measures and targets for moving further towards a circular economy.
The Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill was passed in June 2024 and is now the Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024. This is supported by the Scottish Government’s Circular Economy and Waste Route Map which aims to:
- Set the strategic direction and foundations of how a system wide, comprehensive vision for Scotland’s circular economy from now to 2030 will be delivered.
- Sets priority actions from now to 2030 to accelerate more sustainable use of resources across the waste hierarchy.
- Sets out opportunities to reduce emissions associated with resources and waste.
2.2 Percentage of WFAS generated compared to 2011 baseline
Target: By 2025, reduce waste generated in Scotland to 85% of 2011 baseline (Scottish Government target)
A simple division of waste generated in the current year to that generated in 2011 has been used for the metric of waste generated compared to a 2011 baseline.
\[ Percentage\ WFAS\ compared\ to\ 2011\ baseline\ =\ \frac{WFAS\ generated\ in\ 2023\ (tonnes)}{WFAS\ generated\ in\ 2011\ (tonnes)} \]
2.3 Percentage of WFAS recycled
Target: By 2025, 70% recycling/composting and preparing for re-use of all waste by 2025 (Scottish Government target)
As indicated in section 1, the WFAS generated and WFAS managed does not balance, and can vary by up to 10%. The methodology therefore takes the waste recycled as a proportion of total waste managed; that is prepared for reuse, recycled, composted, incinerated, landfilled and other management.
\[ Total\ WFAS\ managed\ (tonnes)\ =\ Total\ WFAS\ reused\ +\ WFAS\ recycled\ +\ WFAS\ composted\ +\ WFAS\ incinerated\ +\ WFAS\ landfilled\ +\ WFAS\ other\ management\ (tonnes) \]
\[ Percentage\ WFAS\ \ recycled\ =\ \frac{WFAS\ recycled\ (tonnes)}{Total\ WFAS\ managed\ (tonnes)} \]
Recovered soils have been included in Scotland’s statistics and national recycling targets since Scotland’s Zero Waste Plan was published in 2010. To ensure that Scotland has future-facing targets and statistics that will better reflect how our society is effectively managing its resources, SEPA is working with the Scottish Government this year as it starts to develop new circular economy targets alongside a new monitoring and indicator framework, as required under the Circular Economy Act 2024 and Waste Route Map to 2030.
2.4 Recycling and non-hazardous construction and demolition waste
Target: By 2020, no more than 1.26 million tonnes of biodegradable municipal waste to be sent to landfill (EU target) The EU recycling target for 70% recycling and preparing for re-use of non-hazardous C&D waste covers the following materials, from chapter 17 of the European Waste Catalogue European Waste Catalogue:
- Glass wastes
- Metallic wastes, ferrous
- Metallic wastes, mixed ferrous and non-ferrous
- Metallic wastes, non-ferrous
- Mineral waste from construction and demolition
- Plastic wastes
The method used to construct the C&D recycling rate is as follows:
\[ Construction\ and\ Demolition\ waste\ disposed\ (tonnes)\ =\ EWC\ Chapter\ 17\ wastes\ landfilled\ or\ incinerated\ +\ Estimated\ EWC\ Chapter\ 19\ non-hazardous\ construction\ wastes\ landfilled\ or\ incinerated \]
\[ Construction\ and\ Demolition\ waste\ recycled\ (tonnes)\ =\ Construction\ and\ Demolition\ waste\ generated\ -\ Construction\ and\ Demolition\ waste\ disposed \]
\[ Construction\ and\ Demolition\ =\ \frac{Construction\ and\ Demolition\ waste\ recycled\ (tonnes)}{Construction\ and\ Demolition\ waste\ generated\ (tonnes)} \]
It is assumed that C&D waste that was not landfilled or incinerated was eventually recycled. The C&D waste landfilled and C&D waste incinerated were determined from the amount of EWC Chapter 17 waste landfilled and Chapter 19 waste landfilled. The amount of EWC Chapter 19 waste generated from treatment on site attributable to C&D sources was estimated from the ratio of Chapter 17 waste inputs to site for treatment.
2.5 Percentage of WFAS landfilled
Target: By 2025, no more than 5% of all waste to go to landfill (Scottish Government target)
To determine the WFAS landfill rate, an approach like that used to derive the percentage of WFAS recycled was used. The methodology takes the waste recycled as a proportion of all waste managed.
\[ Total\ WFAS\ managed\ (tonnes)\ =\ Total\ WFAS\ reused\ +\ WFAS\ recycled\ +\ WFAS\ composted\ +\ WFAS\ incinerated\ +\ WFAS\ landfilled\ +\ WFAS\ other\ management\ (tonnes) \]
\[ Percentage\ WFAS\ landfilled\ =\ \frac{WFAS\ landfilled\ (tonnes)}{Total\ WFAS\ managed\ (tonnes)} \]
2.6 Biodegradable municipal waste to be sent to landfill
Target: By 2020, no more than 1.26 million tonnes of biodegradable municipal waste to be sent to landfill (EU target)
Biodegradable Municipal Waste (BMW) is the fraction of municipal waste that will degrade within a landfill, giving rise to landfill gas emissions, primarily methane. It includes, amongst other materials, food waste, green waste, paper and cardboard.
The BMW component of waste sent to landfill is calculated based on the EWC code of the waste. A percentage biodegradability has been determined for all waste sent to landfill (see Appendix 5), ranging from 100% for materials such as paper and food, 50% for materials such as textiles and furniture, and 0% for inert materials like tyres and metals.
For all waste landfilled, we applied the percentage biodegradability factor to the tonnes of waste for each EWC code. This gives the total biodegradable waste landfilled by waste type. This was then split down further to provide data on municipal and non-municipal biodegradable waste. Municipal waste was identified as all waste coded under EWC Chapter 20, selected codes under EWC Chapter 15, and EWC Chapter 19 where the source prior to treatment is deemed to be municipal. Conversely, non-municipal waste is determined to be the waste not coded according to these criteria. Please refer to Appendix 5 for the full list of municipal waste codes and associated biodegradability factors.
3 Prevention
3.1 Introduction
Waste prevention is a term that relates to waste materials and is defined in European Law as measures taken before a substance, material or product has become waste that reduce:
- the quantity of waste, including through the re-use of products or the extension of the lifespan of products;
- the adverse impacts of the generated waste on the environment or human health;
- the content of harmful substances in materials and products.
For the purposes of reporting, we use both total waste generated and waste generated per unit of Gross Value Added (GVA) as indicators of waste prevention. This follows the Scottish Government’s circular economy strategy Making Things Last which recommends tracking the amount of waste produced by sector per unit of GVA alongside the waste targets. Further details for the GVA method are provided in Section 3.6.
The methodologies detailed in the following section focus on how much waste is generated rather than on how and where the waste is generated.
The following section is split into five distinct methods:
- Commercial and industrial waste generated
- Construction and demolition waste generated
- Special (hazardous) waste generated
- Packaging waste generated
- Waste generated per unit of gross value added.
The methodology for household waste generated is detailed in Section 9.
3.2 Commercial and industrial waste generated
Introduction
The method used to estimate Scottish C&I waste generated for 2023 is based on the use of SEPA regulatory data. It uses data from licensed/permitted site returns and complex exempt activities to provide estimates of waste generated by business sector.
Overview
To produce estimates of C&I waste generated, an analysis was carried out of all waste inputs to licensed/permitted and complex exempt sites in Scotland. The sector producing the waste, as defined by Standard Industry Classification (SIC) codes, was determined using different approaches depending on the size of the operator, or the type of site.
Once sectors had been assigned to all waste inputs then waste arising from specific sectors was excluded to produce the final dataset. The sectors excluded were construction, waste management and households
Methodology
Inputs to waste sites from authorised waste data returns (Table B – Waste inputs to site) were used as the primary source of data for this study, together with returns from complex exempt activities. The principle was to count waste when it first entered the waste management system, at which point the producer can be determined.
All operational sites were considered relevant to this study and comprised of authorised waste sites and complex exempt activities (excluding nil returns).
Three approaches were used to obtain information on the producer of waste, based on the following groups:
- large waste operators that handled more than 50,000 tonnes of waste;
- small waste operators that handled less than 50,000 tonnes of waste in total and complex exempt activities;
- local authorities.
The approach taken for each of these groups is explained in more detail below.
Large waste operators
Operators that handled more than 50,000 tonnes of waste in total in 2023 were identified from their waste data returns by adding together the inputs of their sites. These operators excluded those that did not need to be contacted because the origin of waste was clear or were local authority sites.
Operators were contacted and sent a survey which summarised their waste data returns data and were asked to indicate the origin of waste by broad SIC group for each EWC code.
For operators that did not respond to the SIC data request the following approach used:
Where a survey waste provided for previous year(s), the SIC group for each EWC code was allocated according to the SIC group split for that EWC code in previous survey(s)
Where a survey had not been completed in a previous year, the approach for small operators and complex exemptions was followed.
Small waste operators and complex exemptions
For those in this group, where the origin of the waste was clear, we assigned SIC codes based on either:
type of operator (see Table 16 Appendix 2);
type of waste using the standard assumptions (see Table 18 of Appendix 2).
The origin of waste (SIC group) for returns from operators that handled less than 50,000 tonnes of waste was estimated using the standard assumptions in Appendix 2. These estimates were based on the EWC code (where it indicated the waste came from a specific sector, e.g. waste from the food industry) or information from SEPA’s business waste data 2010.
For some EWC codes, the sectors were assigned using data taken from a 2010 business waste survey undertaken by SEPA. These EWC codes included packaging waste (EWC Chapter 15), end of life vehicles (EWC Chapter 16), chemicals (EWC Chapter 16), solvents (EWC Chapter 14), and municipal wastes (EWC Chapter 20, from non-local authority sources). The list of EWC codes that were assigned using this method are detailed in Table 18) of Appendix 2. In 2023 the business waste survey was thirteen years old and may not reflect the current mix of businesses that produce waste in Scotland. The roll-out of mandatory digital waste tracking from 2026 is expected to provide more robust data about the commercial sector that produces waste.
Inclusions and exclusion in the dataset
Once the main analysis was complete and SIC codes assigned to all waste tonnages, the inclusion, exclusion, or recalculation of specific wastes was necessary to produce the final dataset. The actions carried out are explained below.
Wastes produced by the waste management industry
There are two issues associated with waste produced by the waste management industry. First, to avoid double-counting of waste, inputs to any site that arrived from another waste management site (mostly waste coded under EWC Chapter 19) were assumed to have been counted earlier in the chain and were removed from the dataset.
Second, it is difficult to identify waste produced by the waste management sector itself (e.g. from the company’s offices or workshops) because these wastes are often combined with wastes from the commercial side of their business and are not measured separately. For this study a small amount of waste was estimated using Table 18 of Appendix 2. It is acknowledged that this estimate requires improvement as it does not include all wastes that could potentially be produced by the industry
Wastes from the construction sector
Waste identified as arising from the construction industry (coded under EWC Chapter 17) was excluded from the final dataset, unless specifically indicated in the survey that it is not from the Construction sector. In 2023 there were 43,215 tonnes of EWC Chapter 17 wastes in the final dataset that surveys indicated were not from the Construction, Waste management or Household sector.
Wet and dry weights
Under the European Waste Statistics Regulation and UK statistics on waste , the data is reported as wet weight, except for common sludges, industrial effluent sludges and dredging spoils. To provide consistency with European and national reporting, these wastes were converted to dry weights in the final using standard UK conversion factors. These factors are set out in Appendix 2.
Addition of missing data
For data that is under-reported because it does not pass through a licensed/permitted or complex exempt site in Scotland, the missing data was estimated and added to the final dataset:
- Agriculture - Chemical wastes - sheep dip and pesticides that may be disposed on farm were estimated using Agricultural Waste Estimates Model developed by Marcus Hodges Environment and BDB Associates on the behalf of the Environment Agency
- Agricultural plastic, which are often handled by simple exempt activities with no data reporting requirement were also estimated using the Agricultural Waste Estimates Model
- Solvents from chemical manufacture, which may be transported directly to the rest of the UK for processing without moving through a Scottish waste management site, were identified using the Environment Agency Hazardous Waste Interrogator
- Tyres from commerce which may be transported directly to the rest of the UK for processing or for use overseas were estimated from ZWS market research
It should also be noted that waste produced by a business in Scotland that is exported directly and does not pass through a Scottish waste management site will not be captured in the dataset. The scale of this missing data is not currently known.
Final dataset
Following assignment of industry sector to all the waste, the waste generated from households, the construction sector and waste handled by the waste management sector were removed from the total. The resulting dataset provided the commercial and industrial waste generated data for 2023 and amounted to 2.94 million tonnes.
3.3 Construction and demolition waste generated
Introduction
The methodology for 2023 uses data from three sources: waste data returns from authorised sites, complex exempt activity returns, and aggregate survey data – all of which are managed by SEPA.
In 2023, none of the C&D data sources contained estimated data for non-submitted returns. The aggregates data supplied by ZWS was introduced for the first time in 2012 and the 2012 data was retrospectively applied to the 2011 dataset and to the 2013 dataset to ensure consistency of methodology between years. From 2014 and onwards the aggregate data is provided by SEPA survey. Further details are contained in the section on ‘aggregates dataset’ and in Appendix 1.
Methodology
Metal recycling
The exception to the above calculation is metal waste which has a high economic value and ends up at a small number of recycling sites before being expor ted from Scotland for recycling. To estimate the amount of metal waste generated, we use the quantity of EWC Chapter 17 waste metals exported from selected recycling sites. In 2023, this totalled 35,000 tonnes, compared with 101,000 tonnes in 2022.
Recoding of wastes to Chapter 19
Some of the EWC Chapter 17 codes may be recoded to EWC Chapter 19 (wastes from waste management facilities etc.) following onsite treatment, e.g. physical sorting/shredding. For example, a mixed skip of C&D waste (17 09 04) may be sorted onsite and reported as separated fractions of ferrous metal (19 12 12), non-ferrous metal (19 12 03), glass (19 12 05) and other wastes (19 12 12). This is not an issue for the calculation of waste generation as the input minus outputs approach described above captures the tonnages of EWC Chapter 17 wastes at the input stage.
Waste storage
Sites with Chapter 17 outputs but no inputs (e.g. those storing waste from a previous reporting period) were removed from the analysis, as their waste will be captured in the previous year.
Complex exemption dataset
Further details of the methodology for the complex exemptions dataset can be found in Appendix 1. This section provides more specific details on the use of the dataset for reporting C&D waste generated.
Exempt activities are commonly used where waste is recycled into new products or reused. Consequently, the tonnages of waste reported in the complex exempt activity data returns will be a direct estimate of waste generated. In some cases, waste may travel to exempt sites via a licensed/permitted site, but the input minus outputs approach used with the licensed/permitted site dataset minimises the risk of double counting.
Data returns from complex exempt activities with expiry dates between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024 were used to report on C&D waste (EWC Chapter 17) generated in Scotland. In this period, there were 120 complex exempt activities that recorded inputs of EWC Chapter 17 wastes. This is fewer than the 158 exemptions for 2022. In 2023, of the 120 exemptions in the C&D analysis, 93 were registered under Paragraph 19, 12 under Paragraph 9, with 7 under Paragraph 7 and 8 under Paragraph 45.
No estimated data were included in the 2023 complex exemptions dataset. All tonnages are self-reported by sites using SEPA’s exemptions return form. Further details are given in Section Appendix 1. The total amount of Scottish C&D waste managed by exempt activities in this period was 0.99 million tonnes, which is less than that reported in 2022 (1.22 million tonnes).
Aggregates dataset
The quantity of C&D waste processed to produce aggregate at sites operating under a simple waste exemption in 2023 was based on a survey of sites carried out by SEPA. The sites surveyed were taken from the Aggregates Quality Protocol Supplier Directory, a list maintained by ZWS.
To avoid double counting with waste arising from the licensed site and complex exemption datasets, only waste processed under a simple exemption from the aggregates datasets was included in the C&D waste generation data. For 2023, this was 105,000 tonnes, which is greater than the amount arising from simple exemptions in 2022 (62,000 tonnes). Historically, the data from simple exempt sites was larger (e.g. 430,000 tonnes in 2017). It is thought that the aggregate data has now moved to larger authorised waste sites.
Further details of the Aggregates Quality Protocol Supplier Directory and the aggregates dataset can be found in Appendix 1.
3.4 Special (hazardous) waste generated
The 2023 data for special (hazardous) waste generated is not taken from an independent data set. The data originates from the individual analyses for household, commercial and industrial, and construction and demolition wastes generated as described elsewhere. The wastes classified as hazardous in each waste generated methodology are combined to produce an overall figure.
3.5 Waste generated per unit of Gross Value Added
According to the Office of National Statistics (ONS), gross value added (GVA) measures the contribution to the economy of each individual producer, industry or sector in the United Kingdom. GVA is published by ONS at the regional (NUTS1) level, meaning that data is available specifically for Scotland.
GVA is one of the measures chosen by the Scottish Government for waste prevention. In Scotland’s waste prevention plan ‘Safeguarding Scotland’s Resources’ waste prevention is measured by the following:
- The total amount of waste produced by sectors - household; commerce and industry; and construction and demolition.
- The amount of waste produced by sectors per unit of GVA.
- The carbon impact of waste - the whole-life impacts of waste including the benefits of prevention and recycling.
An information paper on the quality and methodology for regional GVA data is also available on the ONS website. For these statistics the chain-volume-method estimates were used, which, for the 2011 - 2023 series, measures the GVA in 2022 money value. GVA data is taken from the ONS website.
Total GVA represents the overall size or value of the economy in pounds. Dividing total waste generated by total GVA gives a measure of waste generated per pound of GVA. This has been expressed as tonnes waste generated per £1,000 GVA in the data tables.
4 Recycled
4.1 Introduction
This section describes how we report on the recycling of Scottish wastes within Scotland and outside Scotland. The methodology is split into the following sections:
- composting of waste at licensed/permitted and exempt sites in Scotland
- glass, plastic and wood recycled in Scotland
- batteries, discarded equipment, End of Life Vehicles (ELV), glass, metal, paper and card, plastic, and wood recycled outside Scotland
- recycling by exempt activities in Scotland
- aggregates recycled in Scotland
The data is for WFAS. Due to the constraints of the available data sources we do not report separate household, commercial and industrial (C&I), and construction and demolition (C&D) waste recycled.
4.2 Organics recycled in Scotland
This section describes how we report on the recycling of organic waste by composting or anaerobic digestion within Scotland. We assume all waste composted or digested at Scottish sites is Scottish in origin. Organic recycling data are taken from two data sources managed by SEPA: authorised waste site returns and complex exemptions. Site returns contributed 99.2% and exemptions 0.8% of the organic waste recycled by composting or anaerobic digestion in Scotland in 2023. Of the total organic waste composted or digested in Scotland in 2023, 542,000 were composted or digested at PAS 100 or PAS 110 certified sites.
Composting (CP)
For CP of all suitable waste types, EWC codes with a management method ‘CP’ (composted on site) were assessed as suitable or unsuitable for composting. A total of 584,000 tonnes was reported, of which 257 tonnes was judged not suitable for composting. This is slightly less than the 609,000 tonnes recorded in 2022. The 2023 total comprised of tonnes from sites with BSI PAS 100 certification (for producing quality compost) and/or PAS 110 certification (for producing anaerobic digestate) processes, the remaining tonnes from sites without these certified processes.
The five largest tonnages for each category each, from sites with PAS 100 or PAS 110 certification are provided in Table 4, and similarly the largest tonnages from sites without these certifications are provided in Table 5.
Biological treatment (BT)
The BT of 20 01 08 (kitchen and canteen waste) at identified AD and IVC sites comprised part of the final organics recycling reporting. The use of specific AD and IVC sites ensures other forms of biological treatment (e.g. types of sewage sludge treatment) are excluded from reporting.
A total of 256,000 tonnes was reported for BT in 2023, from 5 sites all with PAS 110 certified processes. Wastes from municipal waste collection, from agriculture, and from food and drink processing and manufacture dominate the tonnages reported. The 256,000 tonnes reported for BT in 2023 is a decrease from the 285,000 tonnes reported for BT in 2022.
Exempt composting activity
Some of the composting activity in Scotland is exempt from licensing and is carried out under exemption.
In 2023, Paragraph 121 composting represented 5,000 tonnes of waste, of which none were from PAS 100 certified sites. This is less than the 6,900 tonnes recorded in 2022. The Paragraph 12 data tends to represent smaller tonnage sites and comprised 0.8% of the organics composted or digested in 2023.
For a more general description of the exemptions dataset, including Paragraphs 12 and 51, please see section 4.6.
Scottish organic waste exported for recycling
This methodology describes how we report on the recycling of organic waste outwith Scotland with an intended treatment method of ‘Biological Treatment’ or ‘Composting’.
SEPA authorised site returns data was used for this method. Data was taken from Table D (waste sent off site) in the site return, where the geographic destination was recorded as Outwith Scotland for the following two management methods:
- Composting (CP) of all suitable waste types
- Biological treatment (BT) of all suitable waste types at specific AD and IVC sites.
In 2023 a total of 18,700 tonnes was reported, an increase of 16,300 tonnes from the 2,100 recorded in 2022, most (16,300 tonnes) of which were Animal and mixed food waste 20 01 08 (Biodegradable kitchen and canteen waste).
As in previous years, information about PAS certification of composting sites outwith Scotland in 2023 was not available, it was assumed that receiving sites were BSI PAS 100 compliant
4.3 Glass, plastic and wood recycled in Scotland
Data was taken from the 2023 accredited reprocessor (AR) dataset, the 2023 site returns dataset, or annual reports provided by operators of SEPA Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC) permits, all of which are managed by SEPA.
UK packaging waste recycled by Scottish reprocessors (so called ‘scheme data’) is reported quarterly and audited annually by SEPA. In addition to scheme data, at the time of registration for a forthcoming year reprocessors also provide details of any non-packaging waste and non-UK sourced packaging waste recycled (so called ‘non-scheme’ data). Non-scheme data is not audited by SEPA, and quality is therefore uncertain. Furthermore, since 2014, non-scheme data is either absent for many sites or has not been updated in subsequent years. The non-packaging waste from AR records are therefore not considered reliable, and where possible licensed site sites or PPC annual reports were used to obtain this data.
The 2023 AR dataset consisted of the reprocessors in Table 7: glass, plastic and wood. The identified AR reprocessors were licensed waste management sites with readily available quarterly site returns which were used in place of the producer compliance returns. Not only did this ensure that packaging and non-packaging waste were both captured for these sites, but it also allowed the identification of the waste origin for these wastes. The waste recycled at these sites was identified by waste treated on site with a management method indicated recycling. The quantity of UK packaging waste recycled under the scheme was a reduction from 2022. The licenced sites were identified in the AR reprocessor list. To capture non-packaging waste for these, we used their data returns instead of the AR returns. Further details of the accredited reprocessor dataset can be found in Appendix 1.
For glass recycling, the Table B inputs of a limited number of sites act as “feeder” sites to glass recycling facilities in Scotland. The inputs to the feeder sites were used to determine the percentage of glass waste originating in or outwith Scotland.
Where data was taken from SEPA site returns, the waste that was Scottish in origin was taken from the geographical waste origin specified in the return. For all other sites, it was assumed that the waste was Scottish in origin.
4.4 Batteries, discarded equipment, end of life vehicles, glass, metal, paper and card, plastic and wood recycled outside Scotland
Using the 2023 authorised waste returns dataset we selected the eight most common waste types, recorded as recycled outwith Scotland. For all eight waste types we used Table D (Waste sent off site) tonnages for specific European Waste Catalogue (EWC)/European Waste Catalogue – STAT (EWC-STAT) codes reported as leaving Scotland as separated wastes.
We assume that wastes reported as leaving Scotland as separate fractions will eventually be recycled. Any relevant codes reported as disposed (landfill/incineration) at the next site were excluded from the analysis.
The individual analyses above are heavily skewed to a relatively small number of large sites which send recyclable materials to the rest of the UK or further afield. In 2023, 83 sites were included in the final analysis for metal wastes, comprising 540,000 tonnes. Of these, the seven largest sites contributed 433,000 tonnes, or 80.2% of the total. In comparison, in 2022 there were 89 sites in the analysis, comprising 634,000 tonnes.
4.5 Paper sent to site operating under simple exemptions
One historical data gap in the recycling dataset is the amount of Paper and cardboard waste sent to sites that operate under a simple waste management exemption, and then export the waste directly out of Scotland for recycling without moving the waste through an intermediate Scottish licensed waste management site.
SEPA site returns include a field for operators to record a description of the waste destination. Outputs from licensed waste management sites were analysed for names and exemption numbers for several key simple exempt sites in which Paper and card waste is known to be sent. The amount of Paper and cardboard waste in 2023 estimated to enter sites operating under a simple exemption prior to export was 80,000 tonnes. The equivalent figure in 2022 was 76,000 tonnes.
It should be noted that this methodology does not capture Paper and cardboard waste sent direct to a simple exempt site without first moving through a SEPA licensed site.
4.6 Recycling by complex exempt activities in Scotland
Waste management exemptions are split into ‘simple’ and ‘complex’ activities. Some simple exempt activities also carry out recycling but are not required to report to SEPA. This section describes the methodology for reporting recycling by complex exemptions.
In 2023 there were 783 exempt activities registered under Paragraphs 7, 8(2), 9, 10, 12, 19, 42, 45, 46, 47, 50 and 51 having expiry dates between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023. This is an increase from the 839 exempt activities reported in 2022.
Missing returns (i.e. those registered who had not reported) were chased throughout the reporting period and were prioritised according to tonnage that the applicant forecast they will receive in their exemption application form. In 2023, SEPA received data returns from 76.5% of the total number of returns expected, less than the 79.7% return rate in 2022. The amount of waste recycled at an exempt site varies considerably, ranging from one to two tonnes, through to hundreds of thousands of tonnes. In 2023, accounting for tonnages that the applicant forecast they would recycle in the application form, the returns received covered 89.2% of the total tonnages applied for, which was slightly higher than the 87.7% rate in 2022. It should be noted that the forecast tonnages were not readily available for all sites, with 112 sites missing forecast tonnages in the 2023 analyses.
Quality assurance of data returns was carried out to check for duplicates and incorrect EWC codes. Reported tonnages were also compared to tonnages at the time of application to check for inconsistencies.
No attempt was made to estimate data for sites that had not submitted returns. Prior to the publication of the current data series in 2011, attempts had been made to do so based on the tonnages that operators applied for in the original application form. However, historical data indicates that doing so overestimates by a significant margin the actual tonnages processed, as sites typically process less than 15% of the tonnages forecast in the original application form. Additionally, sites which do not submit a return are more likely to be those that have not operated during the year.
The waste managed in the 2023 complex exemption dataset was 2.08 million tonnes of waste recorded which was 347,000 tonnes less than 2022. Further information about the exemptions dataset is contained in Appendix 1.
4.7 Aggregates recycled in Scotland
There are three sources of data for waste recycled to produce aggregate – the complex exemption dataset (explained in section 4.6 above), the licensed site returns dataset and the aggregates (simple exemptions) dataset.
Aggregates recycled at licensed waste management sites
Waste recycled to aggregate at licensed waste management sites was estimated from the mixed C&D waste inputs of site returns (Table B) and waste outputs (Table D).
Mixed waste inputs considered included EWC sub-chapters 17 01, 17 03, 17 05, 17 08, and EWC 17 09 04. These wastes include concrete, bricks, bitumen, soil, plasterboard and general mixed C&D waste. It excludes waste types that would not be expected to contribute to aggregate / soil recycling (e.g. metal wastes, plastic wastes, glass wastes). Inputs designated as brought onto site for landfilling were excluded from the analysis.
For each licensed site taking in mixed C&D waste, non-aggregate waste outputs were subtracted from the inputs, leaving the remainder as aggregate or soil waste either sent off-site for recycling or treated on site to a final product.
Step 1
EWC Chapter 19 coded waste created from mixed EWC Chapter 17 waste inputs
Step 2
Tonnes of aggregates and soil recycled
To estimate the EWC Chapter 19 code waste created from mixed EWC Chapter 17 waste inputs, we used the percentage of mixed EWC Chapter 17 waste inputs as a proportion of all waste inputs. For example if there was 50% of all inputs to the site were mixed C&D waste inputs, then it is assumed that 50% of the 19 12 XX code waste outputs are derived from the mixed EWC Chapter 17 waste inputs. After this output and that of EWC Chapter 17 wastes are deducted from the mixed C&D inputs, a total recycling figure was derived by aggregating the tonnage of aggregate / soil recycled from each site. In 2023, there were 2.10 million tonnes of waste recycled to produce aggregate at sites at authorised waste sites. This was an increase of 44,000 tonnes from the 2.05 million tonnes recorded as recycled in 2022, and an increase of 908,000 tonnes from the 1.19 million tonnes recorded as recycled in 2016 (the most recent year recovered following the cyber-attack). The increase is due to a trend to move the processing of waste to aggregate from sites operating under a simple exemption, to larger, licensed C&D recycling plants using methods such as “Soil Washing”2.
Waste recycled inside / outside Scotland
Waste recycled outside Scotland was taken as the tonnages of 19 12 09 coded waste recorded as sent offsite in the waste site return (Table D) with a geographical destination designated as outside Scotland. In 2023, there were 6,200 C&D wastes recycled outwith Scotland.
Waste of non-Scottish origin
Waste originating outwith Scotland was taken from the waste origin of the mixed C&D waste in Table B. In 2023, there were no C&D wastes recycled that originated outwith Scotland.
Assumptions
The method assumes that Chapter 19 outputs are created equally for each waste category input i.e. a site with 10% of mixed C&D waste inputs will produce 10% Chapter 19 outputs from this C&D waste. This is unlikely to be a reality for individual sites, but probably would likely average out over all sites.
It is also assumed that waste on-site that ceases to be a waste following on-site treatment is an aggregate waste. This is because there is a standard for production of aggregate, which does not exist for metal, glass, or plastic. It is possible that there are other materials such as metals, glass, or plastic that are not considered a waste by site operators. If so, the total materials recycled will not change, rather the make-up of the material type being recycled.
Aggregates recycled under simple exemptions
Sites operating under simple exemptions are not required to submit a data return to SEPA. To obtain data from these sites, a survey of sites listed in the ZWS’s Aggregates Quality Protocol Supplier Directory was undertaken. Further details of the Aggregates Quality Protocol Supplier Directory and the dataset provided can be found in Appendix 1.
Data received from four returns amounted to 105,000 tonnes in 2023, compared to 62,000 tonnes in 2022. However, these are an order of magnitude decrease from returns from 2013 – 2017. This is thought to be a consequence of a Scotland wide trend to move the processing of these wastes from small sites operating under simple exemptions to larger, authorised waste sites.
5 Recovered
5.1 Introduction
This section describes how we report the recovery of waste via incineration. The methodology covers WFAS; we do not report separate C&I and C&D wastes. The methodologies for calculating both waste recovered and waste disposed by incineration are the same and are described in the following section.
In the waste statistics:
- “Recovered by incineration” means that waste has been incinerated at a facility that has been accredited as meeting the energy efficiency standard of a recovery facility (R1 facility) as defined in annex II of the EU Waste Framework Directive.
- “Recovered by co-incineration” means waste incinerated at a facility that normally generates energy from incineration of non-waste sources such as coal or gas. This may include, for example, a cement kiln that normally uses natural gas as an energy source.
- “Disposed by incineration” means waste incinerated at an incineration facility that is not accredited as meeting the energy efficiency standard of a recovery facility, and therefore falls under annex I disposal operations of the EU Waste Framework Directive (D10 facility). It should be noted that a facility classified as D10 does not imply that energy recovery is not undertaken at the facility. It may be that energy recovery occurs but not to the efficiency standard specified in the Directive, or the facility meets the efficiency standard of the Directive, but the operator has not applied for the accreditation.
Table 9 shows the number of municipal waste incineration facilities in Scotland that are classified as R1.
The following methodology is split into two sections:
- recovery by incineration and co-incineration within Scotland;
- recovery by incineration outside Scotland. Waste type descriptions are separated into non-hazardous/hazardous using EWC codes.
5.2 Recovery by incineration and co-incineration within Scotland
A list of Scottish incinerators is maintained and checked with SEPA regulatory staff annually, prior to starting the analysis. For co-incinerators, we exclude any non-waste fuels from our analysis.
The number of operational sites used in the final 2023 analysis, the number of sites which reported quarterly using the SEPA licensed/permitted site return form, and the number of sites which reported annually via PPC monitoring reports supplied to SEPA is shown in Table 9.
In 2023 there are Scottish municipal waste facilities accredited by SEPA as a recovery incinerator (R1) under the definition of the Waste Framework Directive. As the incineration process, and therefore recovery efficiency, has not changed in the lifetime of these incinerators, data for all these incinerators were revised and recorded as incineration by recovery for the entire time series.
Where waste data are supplied as EWC codes, data are aggregated into final reporting categories. Where EWC codes were missing on PPC monitoring reports, SEPA regulatory staff checked the permitted waste type(s) and assigned tonnage to the most appropriate EWC code based on the information available.
The origin of waste incinerated (i.e. Scottish/non-Scottish) is only reported for sites using the licensed/permitted site returns, which covered 11 sites and covered 77.3% of the incineration tonnages reported. For the remaining sites, which provide data via PPC monitoring reports, origin of waste is not a reporting requirement. SEPA regulatory staff provided estimates of waste origin based on their knowledge of the site.
5.3 Recovery by incineration outside Scotland
Wastes recovered by incineration outside Scotland were taken from Table D (Waste sent off site) of the licensed/permitted site returns, with a management method of ‘incineration’ at the next site. In 2023, Table 9 shows the number of sites that sent waste for incineration outside Scotland.
The following assumptions were made for type of incinerator the waste was sent outside Scotland:
- Where possible attempts were made to determine the facility and the type of incinerator for waste sent to Wales and England. Where the facility was a recognised R1 facility accredited by Environment Agency, the incineration of waste was allocated to the Recovery category. Otherwise, all incinerators in the UK were assumed to be disposal.
- All incinerators in Europe outside the UK are recovery.
Note: When a facility has attained R1 accreditation, if the incineration process has not changed during the lifetime of the facility the recovery data has been revised to categorise as incineration by recovery for all historical data.
5.4 Export of refuse derived fuel (RDF)
Data for Scottish RDF exports collected under the Transfrontier Shipment of Waste (TFS) regulations was allocated to the Sorting Residues waste category for wastes incinerated for export. In 2023 there were 90,000 tonnes of waste exported from Scotland outwith the UK with a description of RDF or Solid recovered fuel (SRF), which was greater than the 51,000 tonnes recorded in 2022. These tonnages are relatively low compared to historic exports.
6 Disposed
6.1 Introduction
This section describes how we report the disposal of wastes via landfill and incineration. The data are for total WFAS managed; we do not report separate commercial and industrial (C&I) and construction and demolition (C&D) waste.
The following methodology is split into two sections:
- waste disposed via landfill;
- waste disposed via incineration.
Waste type descriptions are separated into non-hazardous/hazardous using European Waste Catalogue (EWC) codes.
6.2 Waste disposed via landfill
The data for waste landfilled in Scotland was taken from Tables B (Waste inputs to site) and C4 (Waste landfilled on-site after treatment – landfill sites only) in the authorised waste site returns, with the management method ‘landfill’. Along with the standard data checks detailed in Appendix 1, we also checked the correct use of ‘landfill’ as a management method in Tables B and C4. There were 41 Scottish landfill sites included in the analysis for 2023. Information from Table B on the origin of waste was used to split data into Scottish and non-Scottish waste landfilled in Scotland. Non-Scottish waste that passes through another Scottish waste management site before being landfilled will not be captured using this method.
The data for Scottish waste landfilled outside Scotland was taken from Table D (Waste sent off site) in the licensed/permitted site returns for all wastes reported as sent outside Scotland with a management method of ‘landfill’ at the next site. There were 17 waste sites that sent waste for landfilling outside Scotland in 2023. Scottish waste that does not pass through a Scottish waste management site before being landfilled elsewhere will not be captured using this method.
6.3 Waste disposed via incineration
The methodologies for recovery by incineration and disposed by incineration (for in Scotland or elsewhere) are the same. Please see the waste recovered section for further details.
7 Hazardous (Special) waste
For all the other analyses described in this document (recycled, recovered, disposed) waste tonnages are categorised as hazardous or non-hazardous. The hazardous (special) waste data presented in the data tables is the summed hazardous waste output of all these separate analyses.
8 Imports and exports
The 2023 data for waste imported to Scotland and exported from Scotland was derived from authorised waste site returns. Imports were compiled from waste inputs to all sites where the origin of the waste was reported as a location outwith Scotland in Table B of the site returns. Exports were compiled from waste outputs from all sites where the destination was reported as a location outwith Scotland in Table D of the site returns.
Origin and destination were reported by three geographical locations:
- rest of the UK
- Europe
- outwith Europe
Waste imported or exported directly to and from Scotland that does not pass through a Scottish waste management site will not be captured using this methodology.
9 Household waste
9.1 Introduction
This section describes how we report on household waste generated in Scotland. Data is taken from all 32 Scottish local authority returns using the web-based reporting tool WasteDataFlow (WDF). Further details of the WDF dataset can be found in Appendix 1. Throughout this section reference is made to question numbers on WDF.
In 2023 local authorities submitted returns annually. Returns were checked and verified by SEPA staff for data entry errors and consistency with previous returns.
All waste collected is reported in WDF in the same return period in which it is sent to management. This allows balancing of the waste generated and waste managed for a period. The waste generated figures may include treated waste which is then stockpiled prior to final management.
9.2 Methodology
WasteDataFlow Question 100
Local authorities report waste managed in WDF using Question 100 (Q100) . Data entry is via a graphical ‘tree’ that depicts the movement of waste in a chain. Each ‘branch’ of the tree is associated with a waste facility and tonnage inputs to and outputs from each facility are reported.
Question 100 covers the following waste management categories:
Wastes sent direct to landfill, incineration and composting facilities, and waste sent to the same facilities following the sorting/treatment of mixed wastes e.g. at a materials recovery facility (MRF) or mechanical biological treatment (MBT) plant
Segregated recyclates sent direct to reprocessors and reuse facilities, and waste sent to the same facilities following the sorting/treatment of mixed wastes (e.g. treatment at MRFs, MBT).
A “primary facility” in Q100 is a facility where the authority records waste as sent direct from collection. Input tonnages to the facility at this level are broken down into three waste sources by local authorities: Household, Commercial, Industrial. The household waste generated tonnages are directly obtained from the household input to these facilities.
Waste categories
Lists of SEPA reporting categories and corresponding WDF waste types are provided in Appendix 3 and Appendix 4. The mapping of these categories follows the approach taken by UK reporting to Europe for waste statistics regulation reporting.
Household waste generated
The quantities and types of household waste generated was taken from the household waste tonnage inputs to primary level facilities in Question 100.
Household waste managed
In the WFAS report, the management of wastes is not separated into the Household, C&I and C&D categories. This is mainly because the primary sources for waste managed, namely authorised waste site returns and waste exemptions, do not provide for a split into these categories. For further information about household waste managed, please refer to the household waste official statistics and accompanying quality report.
Glossary of terms
Anaerobic digestion a process commonly used to break down biodegradable wastes (e.g. food and green wastes) in the absence of oxygen.
Authorised waste site return Waste data provided by operators of SEPA authorised sites required either quarterly or annually as stipulated in a permit or licence.
EWC Code a six-digit code listed in the European Waste Catalogue. These codes are used to identify and classify waste into different categories. They are structured as three pairs of numbers, each representing chapters, sub-chapters, and individual entries. For example, 12 01 06*.
Hazardous Waste Waste with hazardous properties which may render it harmful to human health or the environment. Hazardous waste is also called Special Waste in Scotland, as defined in the Special Waste Regulations 1996.
In-vessel composting A group of methods which confine the composting of organic waste materials within a building, container, or vessel.
Mechanical biological treatment A type of waste processing plant that combines sorting and biological treatment.
Materials recovery facility A waste management plant which separates recyclable materials from mixed wastes.
Municipal solid wastes A collective term commonly used to describe household and similar commercial, industrial and institutional wastes.
PPC Permit a permit issued by SEPA under the Pollution Prevention and Control (Scotland) Regulations 2012 .
Standard Industrial classification For business establishments and other statistical units by the type of economic activity in which they are engaged
WasteDataFlow A web-based reporting tool used by Scottish local authorities to report the wastes they manage
Acronyms
AD Anaerobic Digestion
C&D Construction and Demolition
C&I Commercial and Industrial
Defra Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
GVA Gross Value Added
EA Environment Agency
EWC European Waste Catalogue
EWC-STAT European Waste Catalogue for Statistics
IVC In-vessel Composting
LSR Licensed Site Return
MBT Mechanical biological treatment
MRF Materials recovery facility
NUTS Nonmenclature of Units for Territorial Statistics
ONS Office of National Statistics
RDF Refuse Derived Fuel
SEPA Scottish Environment Protection Agency
SIC Standard Industrial Classification
SRF Solid Recovered Fuel
TFS Transfrontier shipment of waste
WFAS Waste From All Sources
WDF WasteDataFlow
WEEE Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment
ZWS Zero Waste Scotland
For information on accessing this document in an alternative format or language please contact SEPA by email at equalities@sepa.org.uk.
If you are a user of British Sign Language (BSL) the Contact Scotland BSL service gives you access to an online interpreter enabling you to communicate with us using sign language. http://contactscotland-bsl.org/
Apendices
Appendix 1
Datasets used in the 2023 methodology
Wastes managed by complex exempt activities in Scotland
Some waste management activities are exempt from licensing if they meet the requirements detailed in Regulation 17 of the Waste Management Licensing (Scotland) Regulations 2011. Exemptions are split into ‘simple’ and ‘complex’ activities. Simple exempt activities are not required to report to SEPA. Operators of complex exempt activities register with SEPA annually and, depending on the activity, some are required to submit annual data returns containing the types and quantities of waste managed. The various categories of waste exemptions that submit a data return are listed in Table 11. Further information on exempt activities is available on SEPA’s website. The total tonnage accepted at complex recycling facilities is shown by paragraph number in Table 12. Further information about the methodology for producing data summaries for complex exemptions can be found in section 4.6.
Unlike licensed waste sites, complex exemptions expire after a period of 12 months, after which a return is submitted covering the 12-month duration of the exemption. For 2023, the exemption population was taken from exemptions that expired between 1 July 2022 – 30 June 2023 As depicted in Table 13, in 2023 there were fewer operating exemptions compared with 2018 (1047 activities), a potential consequence of COVID-19.
Scottish accredited packaging waste reprocessors
Scottish reprocessors of packaging waste can register with SEPA to become an accredited reprocessor. Accredited businesses can issue and sell evidence of recycling and recovery to directly registered obligated producers and packaging compliance schemes.
The number of reprocessors applying for accreditation in Scotland in any given year varies by a relatively small amount. There is a significant financial incentive to register larger businesses. For smaller businesses the extra administration costs under the accreditation scheme means they may choose not to register on the scheme if tonnage and/or prices become too low.
UK packaging waste recycled by Scottish reprocessors (so called ‘scheme data’) is reported quarterly and audited annually by SEPA. In addition to scheme data, at the time of registration for a forthcoming year reprocessors also provide details of any non-packaging waste and non-UK packaging waste recycled (so called ‘non-scheme’ data). Non-scheme data is not audited by SEPA and quality is therefore uncertain. Only audited data has been used for recycling data.
An accredited reprocessor is credited with recycling UK-sourced packaging waste; they are not required to provide a country-specific breakdown of the origin of waste in their returns.
ZWS Aggregates Quality Protocol Supplier Directory
ZWS, working in liaison with SEPA, has created a free online directory of recycled aggregate producers in Scotland who are working to the WRAP Aggregates Quality Protocol. The directory identifies sites that can recycle waste into aggregates which meet the terms of the aggregates protocol and ceases to be waste.
SEPA surveyed sites taken from the Aggregates Quality Protocol Supplier Directory and asked them to provide:
- the quantity of aggregate precursor waste that came onto their site(s) in 2023,
- the quantity of waste that was rejected (disposed) after treatment,
- the quantity of aggregate product manufactured at their site, classified using industry standards, and
- to tell us how much product was sold (optional information).
Operators were asked to indicate the regulatory regime for the section of the site that the waste was processed - a simple waste exemption, a complex waste exemption, or a waste management licence. Operators that had indicated in previous surveys that they no longer processed waste, or processed all waste at a licence site were excluded from the survey. The response rate to the survey and responses with responses received is in Table 14. The low return rate and tonnages in 2023 is a continuation of the low return rate of 2022, It is thought this is a Scotland wide trend to move the processing of these wastes to larger, licensed C&D recycling plants.
The top categories of waste recorded by operators in aggregate returns are listed in Table 15.
Only waste processed under a simple exemption from the aggregates datasets were included in the waste data tables to avoid double counting with waste from the licensed site and complex exemption datasets. A separate method is used to estimate aggregate produced at sites operating under a waste management licence (see Aggregates method section).
Transfrontier Shipment of Waste (TFS) Database
Waste that is imported to or exported from the UK is subject to regulatory controls. There are two types of controls:
- Notifiable wastes (NW): These are typically wastes with hazardous properties, and which can only be exported subject to pre-notification to the regulator and payment of a fee;
- Annex III wastes (commonly known as “Green list wastes” or GLW). These are non-hazardous wastes which do not require pre-notification or a fee to be exported.
RDF, as a NW is subject to pre-approval with data on shipments provided to SEPA. The data used for 2011 – 2018 was obtained from relevant SEPA FOI Ndisclosure logs. The 2023 data was obtained internally from SEPA’s TFS team.
Appendix 2
Notes:
- If site only accepts household waste.
- If site accepts household and commercial or industrial waste
- If site only accepts commercial waste
- If site only accepts commercial and industrial waste
- Local authority household/commercial split is the relative proportion of household and commercial waste collected by the individual local authority.
- Refer to Table 19
Notes:
Percentages for waste types A-G refer to the percentage split of the waste across the sectors from the SEPA business waste survey data 2010. For certain generic wastes that are produced by most economic sectors such as oils, batteries, gas bottles the percentage split was used to apportion these wastes across the sectors. The split has been applied every year since 2010. For example, Percentage B was applied for used oils. This means that the total quantity of oil waste generated in 2023 was apportioned across the industry (economic) sectors in accordance with the percentage split from the 2010 data.
51% industry (SIC A-E) 49% commerce refers to the average overall industrial/commercial split of waste from three recent C&I waste generation studies. These were the England C&I survey 2009, the Wales C&I survey 2009 and the Scotland C&I data 2011. SIC A-E refers to all industrial sectors excluding construction.
Appendix 3
Appendix 4
Appendix 5
Appendix 6
European Waste Catalogue
Throughout this document reference is made to both the European Waste Catalogue (EWC) list of wastes and European Waste Catalogue for Statistics (EWC-STAT). A brief explanation of each is given below, along with links to further information.
European Waste Catalogue List of Waste (EWC 2000)
The EWC 2000 is a harmonised, non-exhaustive list of waste types established by the European Commission (2000/532/EC). The list is used to categorise waste based on a combination of what they are, and the process or activity that produces them.
The full EWC 2000 list and further information is available in the directive.
The list is divided into 20 chapters, most of which are industry-based, although some are based on materials and processes. Each chapter is represented by a two-digit code between 01 and 20 and comprises one or more subchapters. Individual waste types are detailed in the subchapters and are assigned a six-digit code that comprises two digits for the chapter, two for the subchapter and two specific to the waste type.
Hazardous wastes are signified by entries where the EWC code is marked by an asterisk (*). The use of EWC codes to describe waste on waste transfer notes in Scotland has been statutory since April 2004. The majority of authorised waste data returns received by SEPA, exempt activity returns and special waste consignment notes require waste to be classified according to the EWC 2000.
European Waste Catalogue for Statistics (EWC-STAT)
The EWC-Stat is a (mainly) substance-oriented statistical classification of waste established by the European Commission (2004/574/EC). The EWC-STAT contains 13 categories, each represented by a two-digit code between 01 and 13. These are subdivided into individual waste types.
A table of equivalence allows wastes coded in the EWC 2000 to be converted into the EWC-Stat. However, because of the way the coding system operates, it is not possible to do the reverse conversion. The table of equivalence and further information is available in the regulation.
For further details on tonnage thresholds and process types covered under complex waste exemptions see the exemptions regulation section of SEPA’s web site SEPA’s web site↩︎
Soil washing involves the recovery of a range of materials from soils, often extracted from excavation waste sites..↩︎