Every organisation in Scotland has a legal Duty of Care to manage the waste it produces in a way that protects human health and the environment. This duty applies to all businesses, regardless of size or sector, and is set out in Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Scottish Government’s Duty of Care Code of Practice.

Working with One Stop Waste ensures your waste is handled safely, compliantly and in line with Scotland’s environmental legislation.

Your Legal Responsibilities

1. Store Waste Safely and Securely

Businesses must prevent waste from escaping, causing pollution or attracting pests. This includes using suitable containers, keeping lids closed and preventing leaks.

2. Transfer Waste Only to Authorised Carriers

Waste must only be passed to:

• SEPA registered waste carriers
• Licensed waste management facilities
• Local authorities

We provide full evidence of our SEPA registration and licensed disposal routes to our clients.

3. Provide Accurate Waste Descriptions

Every waste movement must be accompanied by the correct documentation:

• Waste Transfer Notes (kept for 2 years)
• Hazardous Waste Consignment Notes (kept for 3 years)

We ensure all paperwork is completed accurately with the correct European Waste Catalogue codes.

4. Prevent Unauthorised Disposal

Businesses must take reasonable steps to ensure their waste is not illegally dumped or mishandled.

Working with One Stop Waste reduces this risk through full traceability and compliant disposal routes.

5. Segregate Recyclable Materials

Under the Waste (Scotland) Regulations, businesses must separate:

• Glass
• Metal
• Plastic
• Paper and card

Food businesses producing more than 5 kg of food waste per week must also separate food waste. 

There are exemptions for some rural businesses and we can advise you on this.  Of course, if possible, it is better that we support you to move towards food waste segregation.

6. Keep Proper Records

We provide all documentation required for audits, inspections and Environmental, Social and Governance reporting. 

You can access this any time that you wish, using our online portal.

How One Stop Waste Supports Your Duty of Care

It is good to know that:

• We will quickly let you know if there are any issues or potential issues such as a contaminated recycling bin
• We are a SEPA registered waste carrier and broker
• We offer fully licensed recycling, recovery and disposal routes
• We provide you with accurate, traceable documentation for every waste movement
• We provide waste audits to identify compliance gaps
• We offer staff training on segregation and contamination prevention
• We provide clear reporting for ESG, sustainability and audit requirements

If you would like to find out how we can help you with your journey, please get in touch.

enquiries@onestopwaste.com or call us on 01224 782050.

We are always happy to have a chat and see how we can help.