Waste management legislation in Scotland
This page provides links to key pieces of relevant environmental legislation. The links will direct you to the Legislation.gov, Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI), Statute Law Database (SLD) or EUR-lex websites.
Remember that different parts of the UK have variations in environmental laws.
If you are setting up an environmental management system (EMS) for your business, you can use this list to start compiling your legal register. Your legal adviser or environmental consultant will be able to tell you if other environmental legislation applies to your specific business.
Environmental management systems and environmental reports
You may also need to know about:
Animal by-products and food waste
Pollution prevention and control permits
Scotland
Establishes the Environment Agency and SEPA as the regulatory bodies for contaminated land, control of pollution, conservation or enhancement of the environment and fisheries.
Environmental Protection Act 1990
Establishes in England, Scotland and Wales the structure and authority for waste management and control of emissions into the environment.
The Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025
Amends The Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018 to incorporate technical provision for the regulation of industrial emissions activities, other emissions activities, waste activities, and water activities by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).
The Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018
These regulations are the first step in the delivery of an integrated framework of environmental authorisations. (Single permits). They put in place the common framework and introduce the technical provisions relating to the radioactive substances regime.
Waste Management Licensing (Scotland) Regulations 2011 SSI 228
Consolidates 1994/1056 and amendments. Adds new exemptions. Removes need for licence holders to have a certificate of technical competence.
Requires businesses carrying their own waste to register as waste carriers.
The Waste Management Licensing (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2016
Removes waste tyres from the list of materials that can be treated for recovery or reuse under a paragraph 11 exemption. Also removes tyres from the list of waste types that can be stored under a paragraph 17 exemption.
The Waste (Recyclate Quality) (Scotland) Regulations 2015 SSI 101
Requires the holder of a Waste Management Licence to comply with the Materials Recovery Code. Also a PPC permit for the running of a waste recovery facility must contain a requirement to comply with the Materials Recovery Code.
Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2011 SSI 226
Enables the partial suspension, revocation, transfer and surrender of site licences, and allows licences held by the same person to be consolidated if they cover the same site or more than one mobile plant.
Further information
The current environmental legislation lists provide links to key environmental statutes and regulations.
Current environmental legislation
For further information on relevant legislation contact your environmental regulator or local council.
Contact your environmental regulator