The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and Scottish Government, alongside UK partners, have been developing a four-nation approach to digital waste tracking.

Plans, drawn up last year, will help track compliance and tackle illegal waste exports and fly-tipping – and now they seek Scottish opinions.

The Environment Act 2021 provides powers for the Scottish Government to develop regulations to introduce a digital waste tracking service in Scotland, which will be implemented by SEPA.

Powers in the Environment Act mean digital waste tracking can support the effective regulation of waste and track it and resource flows in a circular economy.

Now, SEPA is urging businesses and stakeholders in Scotland to take part in a consultation and provide their views.

Digital waste tracking

A mandatory UK digital waste tracking service has the potential to transform how waste and resource flows are followed, as well as fighting waste crime and prioritising regulation.

Scotland generates 11.45 million tonnes of waste a year and DWT will help unlock opportunities to do better things with Scotland’s waste and resources.

Commenting on the consultation, Scottish Government Circular Economy Minister, Lorna Slater, said: “A digital waste tracking system will help to tackle the waste crime that causes such harm to our environment, such as fly-tipping and illegal waste exports.

“Having access to comprehensive and up to date information on where waste is generated and moved within Scotland is vital if we are to crack down on waste crime.

“By making it easier to identify opportunities to reduce the waste produced and reuse more of the materials we consume, these measures will help create a circular economy, where materials are kept in use for as long as possible and nothing is wasted.”

Slater continued: “Developing and implementing a digital waste tracking system will provide a step change in the quality and timeliness of waste data.

“This will support decision-making and help us to cut emissions and meet our waste reduction and recycling targets.”

The problem of waste

Removal of illegal waste in Scotland is costing the public around £53 million per year, and criminal activities such as fly-tipping, dumping, and the illegal export of waste abroad is costing the UK economy at least £600m a year.

DWT will help to deliver SEPA’s Regulatory Strategy by monitoring compliance with the Duty of Care, enabling tracking of hazardous waste, facilitation of better data analysis to identify waste crime and provide data to support the development and monitoring of sector plans.

Large UK tech firms have been called out before by MPs for not taking enough responsibility for e-waste created by their products.

It was suggested that the companies should take part in the collection, recycling and repairing of their discarded hardware.

According to an inquiry by the Environment Audit Committee (EAC) in 2020, the UK government should be holding these firms accountable for the waste that they create.

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Ian Buchanan, Chief Officer of Compliance and Beyond for SEPA, said: “Digital Waste Tracking will improve the way we regulate waste and help waste producers and the waste management industry demonstrate compliance and make important decisions about waste and resources.

“DWT will also strengthen our ability to track compliance, prioritise regulatory activities and help prevent waste crime, including illegal export of waste.

“We are clear in what we expect of businesses of all sizes, from SMEs to specialist companies. Ignorance of the law is no excuse.”

Waste handlers will need to record information from the point waste is produced to the stage it is disposed of, recycled and reused.

This will enable regulators to better tackle waste crime, including fly-tipping, illegal waste sites, and illegal waste exports.

Buchanan added: “SEPA will continue to invest significant regulatory effort in monitoring waste movement and waste exports to ensure compliance and will use a variety of approaches to successfully detect, disrupt and deter illegal activity in Scotland.

“Waste crime has a real impact on local communities and legitimate business. It can cause serious pollution, puts communities at risk and undermines the efforts of legitimate operators.”

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