Landfill Ban Assurance Study

The report provides an assessment of Scotland’s current level of preparedness for implementation of the landfill ban from January 2026.

It is based on an updated understanding of Energy from Waste (EfW) infrastructure capacity development and an analysis of the EfW infrastructure capacity gap profile.

The report also considers risks to the full implementation of and compliance with the ban, together with mitigation options.

Report covers:  

• An update on EfW capacity in Scotland based on a questionnaire and follow-up communications with existing EfW plant operators and developers of new EfW plants in Scotland
• Analysis of EfW infrastructure gap based on updated waste projections to 2035 and revised EfW capacity forecasts
• Review of availability of EfW capacity in England and Northern Europe as means to help manage interim EfW capacity deficit in Scotland
• Review of permitted landfill capacity for non-hazardous waste in the years leading to the landfill ban (2024-2025)
• Assessment of risks for the successful implementation of the landfill ban from 2026 together with recommendations for mitigations