Definition of a non-disposal area
We need to be able to distinguish between those activities on a landfill site that constitute a taxable disposal and those that are non-taxable uses of waste. To help us to do this, we require that non-taxable uses of waste take place in a designated area of your site, known as a non-disposal area.
We recommend that you contact SEPA to ensure that any changes you propose to make to your site, or the running of it as a result of the introduction of a non-disposal area, are acceptable under the terms of your permit or authorisation. You may also require planning permission.
Designating an area as a non-disposal area
Guidance for landfill operators on how to notify us regarding a new non-disposal area is available in the section for Non-disposal areas.
We welcome discussion either at, or prior to, the time at which you wish to set up a non-disposal area, or at any point during the operation of the non-disposal area.
We can require you to designate more than one non-disposal area (to allow storage of different types of waste or different activities such as sorting and recycling). We can also require you to use a non-disposal area for one particular use or for a number of uses. In these situations we will require you to identify clearly the quantities and type of material which relate to the different uses.
In requiring you to designate a non-disposal area we will ask you to:
- identify the landfill site concerned;
- specify the date on which the non-disposal area comes into operation;
- specify the uses to which material temporarily deposited in the area(s) is to be put;
- specify the types of material to be deposited in the area(s); and
- set the boundaries of the area(s).
Boundaries of a non-disposal area
We will not require you to fence off the non-disposal area, but it must be clearly identifiable within your site. For example, boundary markers, site roads, buildings or landscape features may help you to identify the area. More than one non-disposal area may be required on a site. Your non-disposal area(s) should be clearly identified on a plan of the site, included in your Permit Management Plan.
You may also wish to change the boundaries of the non-disposal area periodically as your landfilling operations progress. Providing the non-taxable material is clearly identifiable we would not normally object to this, but you will require our prior written approval.
Weighing waste for a non-disposal area
To operate a non-disposal area you will need to weigh all materials being deposited in and removed from the area. If you have a weighbridge we would expect you to use it to weigh all materials going into the non-disposal and all materials removed from the area and used for a non-taxable purpose. If you do not have or cannot use a weighbridge to weigh these materials, you may use an agreed method or propose an alternative method for our approval.
The removal of materials from a non-disposal area to dispose of them to landfill as waste is a taxable activity. You must therefore use a weighbridge to weigh these materials (see SLfT2008).
Non-disposal area record
If you operate a non-disposal area you will need to keep a non-disposal area record. The record must clearly identify the quantities and type of material which relate to different uses that you carry out. The record must include the following details for each time material is deposited in, or removed from, the area:
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Material deposited in the area: |
Material sorted or removed from the area: |
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date deposited |
date sorted or removed |
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weight and description |
weight and description |
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intended destination or use |
(in the case of removal) the actual destination it went to or use it was put to |
Where bulk waste is stored in the non-disposal area and the earliest stored waste is inaccessible or unidentifiable we will treat removals from the area as movements of that earliest stored waste.
If you fail to keep and preserve records in relation to this exemption as required (see SLfT8001) then you may be liable to a penalty (see RSTP3002).
Breach of terms of the non-disposal area
If a non-disposal area is not designated when required or the requirements associated with such an area are not met, particularly the maintenance of records and provision of this information if requested, the uses of waste in question will be treated as a taxable disposal and tax will be due.
The Scottish Landfill Tax (Administration) Regulations 2015 regulation 12
Ref ID
SLfT3011
Archive Date
Last updated