Business waste
Scotland produces just less than 24 million
tonnes of controlled waste, of which about 86% arises from
commercial and industrial sources of such waste. The aim of this
workstream is to help Scotland’s business sector understand and
identify how to achieve resource efficiency for solid waste by:
- By addressing the management of commercial
and industrial waste
- Publishing guidance on sustainable waste
management best practice
- Working in partnership with national and
local businesses and business support organisations to support
waste producers
What is Waste from Business?
Waste from business includes a wide range of waste types,
quantities and characteristics and is generated by many hundreds of
individual producers, ranging in size from small commercial
premises and sole traders to large industrial complexes. This waste
often also contains difficult or hazardous materials that may
require specialist handling and treatment.
Waste from business falls into two main types defined by law as
industrial waste and commercial waste:
- Industrial waste is waste from a factory or
any premises used for, or in connection with, the provision of
public transport; the public supply of gas, water, sewerage or
electricity services; the provision to the public of postal or
telecommunication services.
- Commercial waste is waste from premises used
for a trade or business or for the purposes of sport, recreation or
entertainment.
These distinctions are important because local authorities have
a duty to collect household waste (i.e. waste from domestic
properties, residential homes, hospitals, universities and schools)
in their areas. They must also collect commercial waste if asked to
do so but they must levy a charge for this. They are, however, not
obliged to collect industrial waste, although they may do so and
make a charge.