Quality Report for Waste Landfilled in Scotland 2024
An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland
Published on 28th October 2025 9:30 AM
Introduction
This report describes the methodologies used to produce summary data on waste landfilled in Scotland for the 2024 calendar year. The report should be used alongside the 2024 Waste landfilled in Scotland official statistics commentary document.
The 2024 data are presented as follows:
The Waste landfilled in Scotland and associated data tables are presented in an online commentary document. This describes the major trends and provides an interpretation of the data.
Scotland’s Environment Waste Discover Data tool presents the waste from all sources (WFAS) data in an interactive and visual format and is found on Scotland’s Environment web. This tool covers the total waste managed, whether it be waste from households, waste from construction and demolition, or waste from commerce and industry. It includes the waste landfilled in Scotland dataset.
The WFAS Discover tool is updated once yearly, in about March, when all data for Scottish waste generated and managed, of which waste landfilled in and outwith Scotland is a subset, becomes available. The waste landfilled in Scotland statistics are released about six months before the annual update of the WFAS Discover tool. This is because the landfill data comes primarily from one discrete dataset and, in line with the Code of Practice for Statistics which provides that statistics should be released as soon as they are considered ready, can be prepared and published earlier than the WFAS.
Appendix 1 provides a summary of the coding of waste using the European Waste Catalogue (EWC) and European Waste Catalogue for Statistics (EWC-Stat), which are used throughout this document. Appendix 2 also provides a table of EWC codes that comprise municipal waste, for the purpose of reporting biodegradable municipal waste landfilled.
Appendix 2 provides a glossary of terms.
Appendix 3 provides a list of acronyms.
Revisions Policy
Revisions could occur for various reasons, including when data from third parties are unavailable or provisional at the time of publishing or if there are subsequent methodological improvements or refinements. The figures are accurate at the time of publication. However, the data may be updated if further revisions are necessary. Normally these revisions will be published concurrent with the next release. Where there have been changes in methodology for the waste data tables, the complete dataset is revised for all years to ensure that comparisons between years are valid.
Reporting
This section describes how we report waste landfilled in Scotland. A list of Scottish landfill sites is maintained quarterly. In 2024, there were 39 operational landfill sites in Scotland.
The number of landfill sites that are actively disposing of waste to landfill varies from year to year. The number of active landfill sites has decreased steadily between 2005 and 2024, consistent with a decrease in waste landfilled from 7.1 million tonnes in 2005 to 1.8 million tonnes in 2024.
Individual PPC permitted sites submit quarterly licensed/permitted waste site returns (waste data returns) to SEPA via email or post. In 2024, 39 of these were operational landfill sites. The return form submitted by authorised sites consists of Table B (Waste inputs to site), Table C (Waste treated on-site), Table C4 (Waste landfilled or incinerated after treatment on-site – landfill or incineration sites only) and Table D (Waste sent off-site). A copy of the return form can be downloaded from the SEPA website.
Data on waste disposed to landfill in Scotland were taken from the waste data returns dataset which is managed and checked by SEPA. Data submissions were collected, processed and checked by SEPA staff with the assistance of various automation and visualisation tools. SEPA carried out quality assurance of the dataset by comparing individual site data with previous quarters/years, reviewing the consistency of EWC codes with the description of waste provided by the operator, and checking for missing data.
The quantity of waste landfilled is measured as the total tonnage of waste reported in Tables B and C4 of the return form with the management method of LF (landfilled). Waste data are supplied in the return form as EWC codes which are aggregated into final EWC-Stat reporting categories. Waste type descriptions are separated into non-hazardous/hazardous using EWC codes.
Appendix 1
European Waste Catalogue
Throughout this document reference is made to both the European Waste Catalogue (EWC) list of wastes and European Waste Catalogue for Statistics (EWC-Stat). A brief explanation of each is given below, along with links to further information.
European Waste Catalogue List of Waste (EWC 2000)
The EWC 2000 is a harmonised, non-exhaustive list of waste types established by the European Commission (2000/532/EC) as amended in 2015 (2014/955/EU). The list is used to categorise wastes based on a combination of what they are, and the process or activity that produces them.
The list is divided into 20 chapters, most of which are industry-based, although some are based on materials and processes. Each chapter is represented by a two-digit code between 01 and 20 and comprises one or more sub-chapters. Individual waste types are detailed in the sub-chapters and are assigned a six-digit code that comprises two digits for the chapter, two for the sub-chapter and two to the waste type.
Hazardous wastes are designated by entries where the EWC code is terminated by an asterisk (*).
The use of EWC codes to describe waste on waste transfer notes in Scotland has been statutory since April 2004. Most statutory waste data returns received by SEPA, including licensed/permitted site returns, exempt activity returns, and special waste consignment notes require waste to be classified according to the EWC 2000 (as amended).
European Waste Catalogue for Statistics (EWC-Stat)
The EWC-Stat is a (mainly) substance-oriented statistical classification of waste established by the European Commission (2004/574/EC). The EWC-Stat contains thirteen categories, each represented by a two-digit code between 01 and 13. These are sub-divided into individual waste types.
A table of equivalence allows wastes coded in the EWC 2000 (as amended) to convert into the EWC-Stat. However, because of the way the coding system operates, it is not possible to do the reverse conversion.
EWC codes which comprise Municipal Waste and biodegradability factors
Notes:
- The fraction of 19 12 12 coded waste considered municipal waste is calculated on a site by site basis, in order to account for municipal waste inputs that contribute to the formation of the 19 12 12 waste.
- An EWC code with an asterisk is a hazardous waste.
Appendix 2
Glossary
EWC Code – a six-digit code listed in the European Waste Catalogue. These codes are used to identify and classify waste into different categories. They are structured as three pairs of numbers, each representing chapters, sub-chapters, and individual entries. For example, 12 01 06*.
Hazardous Waste – waste with hazardous properties which may render it harmful to human health or the environment. Hazardous waste is also called Special Waste in Scotland, as defined in the Special Waste Regulations 1996 .
PPC Permit – a permit issued by SEPA under the Pollution Prevention and Control (Scotland) Regulations 2012.
Waste from all sources (WFAS) – waste that originates from commercial and industrial sources, construction and demolition sources as well as from household sources.
Appendix 3
Acronyms
EWC: European Waste Catalogue
EWC-Stat: European Waste Catalogue for Statistics
SEPA: Scottish Environment Protection Agency
For information on accessing this document in an alternative format or language please contact SEPA by email at equalities@sepa.org.uk.
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