How we use waste data
Statutory waste data returns, collected and quality assured by SEPA’s Dataflows Unit, are used for the following purposes:
- The public register
- Check compliance with the authorisation.
- Fulfil SEPA’s statutory and non-statutory reporting obligations.
- Respond to relevant data enquiries and requests for information.
From 1 November 2025, waste management and industrial activities are regulated under Environmental Authorisation (Scotland) Regulations 2018 (EASR).
Under EASR, SEPA must maintain a public register that includes information provided to SEPA by an authorised person in compliance with a condition of an authorisation. This includes the waste data return forms. In addition, SEPA may generally publish or release such information.
When providing your waste data to SEPA, you can apply to have information to be excluded from the register on the ground that it is commercially confidential. There is functionality within the returns form for you to undertake this.
Data requests
As a public authority, SEPA is subject to the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOI) and the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (EIR). We have a duty to make any recorded information held by SEPA, including waste data, available on request. We must apply a presumption in favour of disclosure, except when there is a lawful basis to withhold the information.
Should a request for information include a request for waste data which is excluded from publication because SEPA has agreed it is commercially confidential, it must still be considered for release under the legislation. The final decision on disclosure rests with SEPA. More information is available on SEPA’s Access to information webpage.
On occasion, SEPA may be asked to share information contained in the completed waste data return form with partner organisations, for business purposes. Such requests are considered on a case-by-case basis before any data is shared.
Statistics
Waste data returns in aggregated form are also used as a data source for statistical purposes. This includes data on waste landfilled or incinerated in Scotland and on the generation and management of waste from all sources. This data is publicly available from our Waste data reporting webpages.