Embarrassment for SNP as fake ban on landfill comes into force

Scottish Liberal Democrat climate emergency spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP has condemned the SNP government's “farcical and fake” ban on landfilling waste as it ‘comes into force’ today.

The ban on the landfilling of Biodegradable Municipal Waste (BMW) was established under the Landfill (Scotland) Regulations 2003 and Schedule 13 of the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018 (EASR). These regulations committed to a ban on waste going to landfill by 1st January 2025.

However, while SNP ministers have said the ban would still come into force on 31 December, SEPA have published guidance allowing anyone who manages waste to apply for exemption after exemption to breach the ban and continue landfilling BMW without any consequences.

Liam McArthur MSP said:

“The SNP’s ban on landfill is fake and farcical. We have a ban that exists in name only.

“The SNP have had thirteen years to deliver their own policy. This mess neatly sums up this government’s approach across the board. Make big promises, spend years botching the delivery before being forced into a last minute climbdown.

“For years, the SNP and Greens had planned to circumvent the landfill ban by sending 100 lorryloads of rubbish a day to England. Now ministers have come up with a new system of red tape to dodge their own ban, whereby waste still goes to landfill in Scotland after a rubberstamping exercise.

“Ministers should come clean about their ban being just a PR exercise that will make zero difference to greenhouse gas emissions.

“If you’re tired of being constantly let down by the SNP, you should back Scottish Liberal Democrats at the election in May.”