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Did you know from January 2016 you will not be allowed to use macerators to discharge food waste to the public sewer in Scotland?

Author: Graham Mann.

Waste (Scotland) Regulations were passed by the Scottish Parliament on 9th May 2012, they represent the most significant development in recycling that Scotland has ever seen and are designed to help us realise the true value of resources we currently throw away. This has the potential to boost our economy and create green jobs in the process.

The new regulations will also play a key role in helping Scotland reach its ambitious target of 70% recycling of all waste by 2025.

* All businesses and organisations to present key recyclable material for collection from 1st January 2014.

* Food waste businesses producing over 50kg of food waste per week to present it for separate collection from 1st January 2014.

* Food waste businesses producing over 5kg of food waste per week to present it for separate collection from 1st January 2016.

* A ban on the use of macerators to discharge food waste into the public sewer from 1st January 2016.

* Local authorities to provide a basic recycling service to all households by 1st January 2014.

* Local authorities to offer a food waste recycling service in non-rural areas from 1st January 2016.

* A ban on material collected for recycling going to landfill or incineration.

* A ban on municipal biodegradable waste going to landfill by 1st January 2021.

While household recycling rates have leapt to over 40% in the past ten years, household waste accounts for just over 16% for all waste produced in Scotland so the new waste (Scotland) regulations turn attention to the waste produced by businesses.

Research has shown that achieving 70% recycling by 2025 could benefit Scotland’s economy overall by £175 million, mitigating against rising landfill costs and enabling revenue to be generated from the sale of high quality recyclable materials.