The Scottish Environment Protection Agency is warning businesses in the Inverness area that they will soon have to completely rethink how they get rid of their rubbish. Longman landfill site, which takes most of Highland’s waste, is due to close in 18 months. In 1999 the site accepted 120,000 tonnes of construction, demolition and industrial waste, but companies will now have to look for alternatives.

With no other suitable landfill site in the area, Highland Council is already looking at using a private contractor to dispose of household and commercial waste. But the council does not have responsibility for industrial waste, which means companies that manage and produce rubbish will have to secure the use of sites outside the Highlands. Businesses already pay £28 - £38 per tonne for disposal, and these costs will go up because of the extra distances involved.

Tom Anderson of SEPA, who chairs the Highland Waste Strategy Group: “This is going to be a major problem for the local business sector. Those most affected will be the companies in the inner Moray Firth, and they need to start looking for other options now. Longman closes in April 2003, but those who begin the process now will find ways to get round this hurdle.”

Henderson Pollock, Head of Waste Strategy at Highland Council, added: “For many years councils have been able to let industrial waste producers use their landfill facilities. Once Longman closes, the Council won’t be able to provide industrial waste disposal facilities in the Inverness area. We are seeking specific solutions for the kind of waste we collect, and industry will have to do likewise. But we, and SEPA, want to help industrial waste producers discuss other options.”

Neil Downie, Environmental Business Manager at Highlands and Islands Enterprise said: “Businesses can’t manage their waste unless they measure it. This means taking stock of the types and quantities of the rubbish they produce. This is the first step in minimising these costs.”

More follows

SEPA advises waste management companies to:

• find other ways of treating waste, eg recycling and reuse
  
• arrange alternative disposal options before the situation becomes critical
  
• investigate the practicalities of sending rubbish to other areas
  
• alert the clients to the issue.
  
  

SEPA is also urging Highland businesses to:

• find out what their waste disposal contractor is doing about this, and about extra costs
  
• audit their waste – how much is produced, what disposal costs (typically 4% of turnover)
  

(companies can call the Envirowise free helpline on 0800 585 794 for information)

• contact their local enterprise company for information and advice
  
• look at ways to minimise their waste
  
• investigate recycling, reuse etc.
  

ENDS

Notes to editors

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 Highland Waste Strategy Group include public bodies, business, and environmental and community groups.

For more information contact:

• Tom Anderson, SEPA and chair of Highland Waste Strategy Group, 01349 862021
  
• Henderson Pollock, Head of Waste Strategy at Highland Council, 01463 702000
  
• Neil Downie, Environmental Business Manager, HIE, 01463 244437