Environmental performance amongst Scottish regulated businesses and other organisations achieved a six year high, with 91.7% of sites recorded as “Excellent”, “Good” or “Broadly Compliant”, according to results published last week (15 February 2018) by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).
91.7% of Scottish regulated business sites assessed were compliant. 46.6% of sites assessed as non-compliant for two or more years became compliant. 66% of sites classified as “Very Poor” improved their compliance rating. 11 sites were moved from “Very Poor” to excellent.
SEPA’s Compliance Assessment Scheme (CAS) rates an operator’s environmental performance using a risk-based model to inform a targeted approach which focuses on high risk operations and under-performing sites more frequently than compliant or low risk activities.
For the first time SEPA’s annual report card of environmental performance has been published alongside data on agency’s enforcement activity. Together they demonstrate One Planet Prosperity, SEPA’s regulatory strategy, is tackling operators and businesses who are non-compliant and holding them to account while supporting businesses and organisations that want to do the right thing for the environment.
SEPA’s Enforcement Report, published today, highlights that during 2016-2017:
- 12 cases were referred to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) by SEPA.
- 120 statutory notices were served for environmental non-compliance.
- 113 final warning letters were issued for environmental non-compliance.
- £92,575 in fines were handed out by Sheriffs for cases referred by SEPA. Over three years this total is £390,025.
Scottish Recycling & Waste Operators
Whilst recent years have seen a significant focus by consumers, households, communities and businesses on reuse and recycling, Scotland’s recycling and waste sector has long held an “unenviable record” of falling foul of Scotland’s environment watchdog, SEPA says.
The waste regime had the highest number of cases referred to COPFS (42%), final warning letters (46%) and statutory notices served (48%), as well as the most convictions (38%) secured in 2016 – 2017.
Compliance is non-negotiable, with the agency’s dedicated waste crime and intelligence teams securing a series of high-profile outcomes for local communities. These included the clearing of 1,500 tonnes of illegally deposited waste and chemicals from a site in Newton Mearns, and revoking the license of a significant West of Scotland operation, GBS Recycling Limited in Coatbridge, found to be stockpiling waste on site beyond the time limits allowed, causing significant fly and odour issues from the neighbouring community. The site was rated ‘Very Poor’ in 2016.
“This latest report card on the environmental performance of Scottish regulated businesses is encouraging, with significant outcomes achieved for Scottish communities”
In addition to targeted intelligence and enforcement campaigns to crack down on waste crime, the agency is working with businesses investing in high-tech recycling solutions that drive positive environmental outcomes. This includes the £27m materials recycling facility, opened by Suez and Aberdeen City Council in the granite city last year and being visited by SEPA chief executive, Terry A’Hearn today.
As a result of SEPA’s firm focus, overall compliance within the sector has risen to 90.35% in 2016 from 72.48% in 2009.
Speaking at the SUEZ recycling site in Aberdeen, SEPA Chief Executive, Terry A’Hearn said: “Every day, SEPA works to protect and enhance Scotland’s environment helping communities and businesses thrive within the resources of our planet. We call this One Planet Prosperity.
“As part of that we’re clear, environmental compliance is non-negotiable. Every Scottish business will comply with the law, and we’ll work to ensure as many as possible will go even further.
“This latest report card on the environmental performance of Scottish regulated businesses is encouraging, with significant outcomes achieved for Scottish communities. It’s a reminder that we’ll work positively with those who want to do the right thing by Scotland’s environment, and a wake up call to those that don’t.
“It’s also an indicator of where we next need to focus our attention and why we’re changing, creating a world-class environment protection agency fit for the challenges of tomorrow.”
