Scottish businesses not ready for recycling law change on 1st January 2014

3rd December 2013

Nearly all companies leaving new arrangements to the last minute, risk paying higher rates.

Up to 99% of companies in Scotland are unprepared for new refuse recycling regulations that come into force on 1st January 2014, and could face substantial fines as a result.

These are the findings of a major UK-based waste management company which has been contacting businesses from retail, public service to industrial right across Scotland in the run-up to the New Year's Day deadline.

With the law requiring Scottish businesses taking reasonable steps to ensure they recycle as much as they can, BusinessWaste.co.uk

has found the only a handful of companies have given the new rules any consideration at all, and even fewer have acted to change their recycling and waste management regime.

"While Scotland once again leads the rest of the UK in responsible law-making, it appears that the message hasn't got across," said BusinessWaste.co.uk spokesman Mark Hall. "And by doing nothing, companies are risking fines."

According to companies surveyed by BusinessWaste.co.uk

23% of businesses knew the new regulations were on the way Only 8% knew how the rules would apply to them in the new year Just 1% had taken any action to prepare for the change.

"With only a few weeks to go, businesses are going to have to act quickly," said Hall, "There's going to be a lot of demand for new bins and waste demand services, and some unscrupulous operators are bound to put up their prices."

According to the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, the new law that comes into force in January means:

Metal, plastic, glass, paper and card must now be presented for separate collection
Food businesses which produce over 50 kg of food waste per week must present it for separate collection.

"Companies that fall into these categories need to make sure they have clearly-labelled separate bins for each class of waste," said BusinessWaste.co.uk‘s Mark Hall, "And we're able to provide these containers at our usual great prices."

BusinessWaste.co.uk is convinced that the new rules will be nothing but a minor inconvenience for Scottish companies, and they represent a huge step by Scotland in its ambitious recycling targets.

"Let's get a move on and start recycling together," BusinessWaste.co.uk said, "You'll save yourself a fine, and likely save money on your waste management, too."

BusinessWaste.co.uk