Additional advice for businesses

After a flood, you’ll want to get back to business as usual. It’s important that you take the appropriate steps and comply with waste regulations.

De-contamination of equipment and supplies
If you find that you are left with contaminated equipment and supplies, you must contact your environmental health department for advice.

Waste disposal
If items or stock are contaminated, or damaged beyond repair, you have a duty of care by law to ensure that they are handled safely by authorised waste disposal contractors.

The following categories of items or stock require special attention:

• special waste (also known as ‘Hazardous’ waste);
• food waste;
• oil;
• vehicles;
• electrical and electronic equipment.

For more information on responsible waste disposal, visit the waste section of our website.

Agriculture
If you work in the farming sector, the effect of flooding on livestock and land presents its own type of environmental risks and issues.

• Water contamination is possible when manure, slurry, milk spillages, pesticides or animal carcasses come into contact with rivers and streams.
• Don’t let livestock drink flood water - it may contain silt, fuel, sewage and other pollutants.

Proper disposal via an authorised waste contractor is essential and your local SEPA office can give you advice.