The Scottish Government has defended its decision to delay the introduction of a landfill ban on biodegradable waste following a claim that this has meant some councils are ‘prematurely’ paying higher waste disposal costs.
Cllr Kevin Keenan, convener of Dundee’s scrutiny committee
Opposition Labour councillor at Dundee council, Cllr Kevin Keenan, who is also convener of the council’s scrutiny committee, said that Dundee has been a “victim of its own success”.
The convener explained that this was because after entering into a contract with an Energy from Waste (EfW) plant in anticipation of the 2021 deadline, the authority will be paying more even though the deadline has been pushed back.
Speaking with letsrecycle.com last week, Cllr Keenan said: “The Scottish Government recently increased landfill tax to £94.15 in its latest budget, but we are paying a lot more than that. We planned for the 2021 landfill ban and those that didn’t are now being rewarded as they’re paying less.
“At the same time we’re working with cuts of up to £14 million to our budget. We need a level playing field and will be working with other councils and making a representation to the government on the issue.”
Dundee and Angus councils entered into an agreement with MVV Environment in 2017 to build the 110,000 tonnes plant in Baldovie, five miles east of Dundee.
The combined heat and power (CHP) has an annual capacity of 110,000 tonnes a year and is in the final stages of commissioning.
‘Progress’
The ban on sending biodegradable waste to landfill had been due to come into effect from January 2021 – but Scottish Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham revealed in September 2019 that “very reluctantly” she would be delaying full implementation of the ban until 2025.
“Enforcement in 2021 would inflict additional financial implications for councils”
In a statement to letsrecycle.com this morning, the Scottish Government said that while it recognises the “significant progress” made by councils towards the initial 2021 target, its enforcement then would “inflict additional financial implications” on councils.
“We remain fully committed to ending the practice of sending biodegradable municipal waste to landfill in Scotland from 2025. The original date was revised after it became clear that a number of local authorities were not ready, a decision welcomed by COSLA,” the statement read.
Enforcement
Impression of the MVV plant near Dundee
It added: “While we acknowledge the significant progress made by many local authorities in preparing for the ban, enforcement in 2021 would inflict additional financial implications for councils, and lead to large volumes of waste being exported from Scotland, with much of it likely to be landfilled elsewhere, defeating the purpose of the policy.
“We expect the remaining authorities and the commercial sector to deliver further progress at pace to prepare for the revised timeline of the ban and remain in regular dialogue with councils and COSLA to support this progress.
“The Scottish Government is exploring the role that Scottish Landfill Tax could play in encouraging local government and commercial operators to move away from landfill as quickly as possible.”
Dundee
A Dundee city council spokesperson said: “The chief executive will respond to Bailie Keenan in due course.”
The post Dundee ‘paying more’ due to Scottish landfill ban delay appeared first on letsrecycle.com.
Source: letsrecycle.com Waste Managment
