By Bill Heaney
There are solutions in the pipeline for Scottish councils such as West Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute to dispose of biodegradable municipal waste from sites like Dalmoak, Old Kilpatrick and Blackhill above Helensburgh.
But they are being kept a close guarded secret by the SNP government.
Tory MSP Maurice Golden asked what the current state of readiness is for the upcoming ban on biodegradable municipal waste going to to landfill.
But the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy Gillian Martin told him: “The forthcoming ban on biodegradable waste to landfill is a crucial part of delivering Scotland’s net zero ambitions.
Maurice Golden MSP and Environment Minister Gillian Martin MSP – “No waste goinhg from Scotland to England.”
“The waste sector has already made significant preparations, including by making significant investment in Scotland’s infrastructure for energy from waste.
“As such, the amount of Scottish waste that was landfilled in 2023 was the lowest on record.
“The vast majority of councils have indicated readiness for the ban, and the remainder are progressing arrangements towards compliance.
“However, I am aware of the challenges that are faced by some in the sector, notably waste small and medium-sized enterprises.
“We are working with partners to support their readiness for the ban and to reduce any environmental impacts.
However, Maurice Golden pressed the Minister: “The landfill ban assurance study refers to external markets helping to manage any capacity shortfall from 2026.
“Will the cabinet secretary outline what those markets are and, if she is in a position to do so, outline when we will know where the waste will be sent to?”
Gillian Martin replied: “My plan is to have as much waste as possible, particularly biodegradable waste, dealt with in Scotland, in readiness. I note that there has been some media reporting on the potential for waste to go to England. I do not want that, and the First Minister has been very clear in the chamber that that will not happen.
“I have had detailed discussions with representatives of the waste sector, who have been extremely helpful and constructive in their approach and are working with me, my Scottish Government teams and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency on a range of solutions for the issues that SMEs in the waste sector face.
“I cannot divulge those solutions at the moment, because they are still being fully agreed, but I hope to be able to let members and the Parliament know about them in the next few weeks.”