Guidance on handling agricultural waste
Burning on-farm waste
Improper burning can release harmful pollutants, damage soil and wildlife, and contribute to air quality issues. As Scotland moves toward a circular, low-carbon economy, farmers are encouraged to seek sustainable alternatives to open burning.
What you can't burn
Most types of agricultural waste must not be burned, including:
- Plastic waste (e.g. bale wrap, netting, silage bags or wraps)
- Treated or painted wood
- Rubber or tyres
- Chemical containers or pesticide packaging
- Animal by-products and fallen stock
These materials must be disposed of through registered waste contractors or recycling schemes.
What you may burn with conditions
Burning is only permitted in very limited circumstances. Even when allowed, burning should always be a last resort. Burning may be allowed only if:
- The waste is plant-based (e.g. small quantities of dry hedge trimmings or untreated wood) and burned at the place it was produced
- The burning is carried out safely and without causing pollution or nuisance
- There is no practical alternative (such as composting or chipping)
- It complies with relevant local air quality controls
You must also ensure the burning does not harm local residents, obscure roads, or affect protected habitats or species.
Details on the conditions, including the amount and types of waste that may be burned, can be found under Low risk Waste Activity 7.
Safer alternatives to burning
There are practical and legal alternatives to burning on-farm waste:
- Recycling schemes for silage wrap, plastic, and chemical containers
- Composting of plant waste and crop residues
- Chipping and mulching for hedge trimmings and branches
- Permitted waste disposal routes through licensed carriers and facilities
Composting is a waste activity and falls under the EASR framework. If you compost your own waste you need to comply with low risk activity 16. Other composting activities require an EASR registration or permit, depending on the scale of the activity and the wastes involved.
Chipping and mulching may be a low risk waste activity if done on the site where it was produced. You don't need to register this activity but you do need to comply with the conditions.
Managing agricultural special waste
Some types of agricultural waste are classified as special waste in Scotland due to their potentially hazardous nature. These materials pose a greater risk to human health, wildlife, and the environment and must be handled, stored, transported, and disposed of with extra care.
Agricultural special waste includes:
- Pesticides and herbicides (including out-of-date or banned products)
- Veterinary medicines and animal treatment residues
- Oil and diesel (used or contaminated)
- Asbestos-containing materials (from old buildings or sheds)
- Lead-acid batteries (from farm machinery)
- Chemical drums and containers with hazardous residues
- Fluorescent light tubes
- Contaminated rags, gloves, or absorbent materials
These wastes must never be buried on-site, burned or disposed of through general waste.
Safe storage tips for agricultural special waste
- Clearly label containers with contents and hazard symbols
- Store liquids in sealed drums with secure lids
- Check regularly for leaks, corrosion, or damage
- Keep incompatible substances (such as acids and alkalis) separate
Legal duties for special waste
If you produce or handle special waste on your farm, you must comply with the following duties:
- Identify and classify waste. Use the European Waste Catalogue (EWC) codes and safety data sheets to correctly identify hazardous characteristics.
- Store it safely. Special waste must be stored:
- In a secure, labelled container
- On an impermeable surface with secondary containment such as bunding
- Away from drains, watercourses or livestock areas
- Use licensed waste carriers. Special waste can only be transported by a SEPA-registered waste carrier. You must:
- Complete a Special Waste Consignment Note (SWCN) for each transfer
- Keep copies of all documentation for at least 3 years
- Never mix special waste. Do not mix special waste with non-hazardous waste or other hazardous materials. This is illegal and dangerous.
Disposal options
Most agricultural special waste must be taken to a licensed hazardous waste treatment or disposal facility. Disposal options include:
- Specialist pesticide collection schemes
- Return of veterinary products via animal health suppliers
- Recycling of lead-acid batteries
- Licensed incineration for chemicals or secure landfill for unusable materials such as asbestos
Many farm co-ops and suppliers now offer take-back or collection services. Check with your local provider.
Agricultural plastics
Farmers have a duty of care to store and dispose of waste responsibly, use authorised handlers and carriers, and keep records such as waste transfer notes.
Burning or burying agricultural plastic waste on farms is illegal.
Farmers and land managers must apply the waste hierarchy. This means you should ideally avoid generating waste. Otherwise, you should reduce the amount of waste generated on the farm or reuse the materials to extend their useful life.
Here are some practical steps you can take to reduce agricultural plastic waste:
- Recycle your waste by engaging with a specialist contractor. Details for service providers are available from Zero Waste Scotland. Many collect silage wrap, crop covers, fertiliser bags, chemical drums, feed buckets and more
- As agricultural waste is legally described as ‘commercial waste’, you can ask your local authority to provide a collection service. They are entitled to charge for the service
- Recover your waste by other means, for example, by sending it to an authorised Energy from Waste facility
- As a last resort, dispose of your waste at an authorised landfill