Businesses in Shetland are being invited to discuss the challenges of tough new European rules on managing rubbish. SEPA, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, is hosting a seminar about the forthcoming changes which will affect every local company.

The Shetland Waste Strategy Group, co-ordinated by SEPA, has already published a consultation paper describing the current situation and proposing long-term options for managing Shetland's waste. It takes into account the implications of the new Landfill Directive, which will mean increased costs for businesses.

This seminar, at the Shetland Hotel on 10 January, will provide the opportunity to debate waste management issues, and contribute to the development of the area waste plan for Shetland. The speakers include:

· Ian Kinniburgh of 60º North Recycling on key issues for industrial waste in Shetland

· Stephen Cooper of Shetland Islands Council on the implications for Shetland

· John Paterson of SEPA with an update on the National Waste Strategy

· Gillian Bruce of SEPA on ways to minimise waste, and

· Colin Gray of SEPA on the landfill directive.

The waste options paper was published for consultation in November. The responses received, including those from this seminar, will help form the area waste plan.

Guy Robertson of SEPA, who is co-ordinating the group's work, said: "Every business and organisation produces waste so we need to be able to discuss the issues with them. The implications of the Landfill directive are going to be wide-ranging and we want to get as much input into the area waste plan as possible. Any business can save money by reducing waste, and with tough new legislation, those companies taking a proactive approach will benefit even more in future".

The European Union requires that every member state produces a waste strategy. Scotland is split into 11 waste areas, each of which has to produce a plan detailing how waste will be managed in that area for the next 20 years. The members of the waste strategy group include public bodies, business, and environmental and community groups.

Copies of the waste options paper are available from the Shetland Islands Council or by contacting SEPA: tel 01349 860367 or e-mail shetlandwaste@sepa.org.uk


or more information please contact:

· Guy Robertson on 01349 862021 or 07788 568180 or email: guy.robertson@sepa.org.uk