Burning on-farm waste
Every day SEPA works to protect and enhance Scotland's environment and from 1 January 2019 we will strictly enforce the requirements of waste legislation, bringing an end to the practice of burning most types of agricultural waste on farms, including farm plastics. Compliance with this is non-negotiable.
Ending the exemption follows extensive engagement between SEPA, Scottish Government, Zero Waste Scotland, NFUS and recycling service providers. In particular, we have worked closely with NFU Scotland to roll out the change which will feature ongoing dialogue with farmers and crofters over the coming months.
Advice on making arrangements to recycle, recover and dispose of waste
Many land managers already have their farm waste collected for recycling. All land managers should now seek to have these arrangements in place or dispose of waste legally. Details for service providers are available from Zero Waste Scotland.
You have a legal duty to take measures to apply the waste hierarchy. This means, in order of preference, you should ideally avoid generating waste, reduce the amount of waste generated on farm or reuse the materials to extend their useful life. The most practical steps you can take are to:
- Recycle your waste by engaging with a specialist contractor. As agricultural waste is legally described as ‘commercial waste’ you can ask your local authority to provide a collection service, although they are entitled to charge for the service
- Recover your waste by other means, e.g. by sending to an authorised Energy from Waste facility
- As a last resort, dispose of your waste to an authorised landfill. You may need a Professional Collectors and Transporters of Waste permit to access the landfill. There is no fee for this.
- If a land manager carries anybody's waste other than their own, even if it is from another land manager, then they must be a registered waste carrier (RWC). Online registration is available. There is a fee for this, currently £210, and registrations are valid for three years
Advice for those in rural and island communities
- Existing service providers may be prepared to offer this service if there is demand in an area - so get in touch and let them know you are interested
- Work together with other farmers and crofters in your area to consider what you can do collectively to make it easier for collectors to get access to your materials. For example, could you set up a central collection point? This arrangement is already successful in many areas including Orkney and Bute
- Explore with suppliers who deliver materials to their farm whether they can offer a take-back scheme. This sector has tremendous power to influence these suppliers to innovate and help address waste management issues
- Agricultural waste is commercial waste. If you cannot find a private contractor to help contact your local authority about providing a commercial waste collection
- There may be opportunities to diversify to set up a business locally to take the material to the collection points
If all other options have been exhausted then agricultural waste can be sent to landfill at a licenced site or to an energy from waste plant but this should only be considered as a last resort.