SEPA transfrontier shipment of waste objectives
SEPA is committed to improving the quality of Scottish waste
exports and preventing the illegal shipments of waste to and from
Scotland. Our overall objective is to disrupt the illegal export of
waste from Scotland and our initial focus is on:
A. Disrupting
the illegal export of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment
(WEEE).
B. Disrupting
the illegal export of mixed household waste.
We are focusing on these waste streams because
of their hazardous nature and the significant environmental and
social impacts they can have on the destination country. Toxic
metals commonly found in electrical goods can contaminate land and
water where appropriate treatment facilities do not exist. Unsorted
household waste can contain a range of materials, from steel and
aluminium to paper and plastic, and can even be contaminated by
food and clinical waste.
If there is a lack of sorting and recycling
facilities in the destination country, there is often no option
other than to landfill the waste or burn it in the open.