Waste Firm Allowed to Sue SNP Government for £160 Million Over Failed Recycling Scheme
Biffa Waste Services can pursue a £160 million lawsuit against the SNP Government over a failed bottle return scheme
Biffa Waste Services, Scottish Government, Bottle Return Scheme, Lorna Slater, Court of Session
Edinburgh: A waste company is suing the Scottish Government for £160 million. Biffa Waste Services claims the government misled them about a bottle recycling scheme.
A judge has allowed the case to move forward. Biffa wants to recover money lost from their investment and profits they missed out on.
The scheme would have charged shoppers a deposit on drinks in bottles and cans. They would get the deposit back when returning the containers.
However, the UK Government blocked the plan. They said glass couldn’t be included due to the Internal Market Act.
Biffa says the Scottish Government misrepresented the scheme. They relied on assurances from Lorna Slater, a Green party leader, before investing £55 million.
Slater was the minister for green skills when the scheme was scrapped in June 2023. The Greens left the Scottish Government last year.
The judge noted that Biffa must prove several points for their claim to succeed. They need to show there was a responsibility assumed and that they relied on the government’s conduct.
Questions remain about how much loss Biffa can prove. The case is still developing, and more details will come out in court.