Environmental compliance by Scottish businesses is the best in six years, new statistics show.
The latest figures from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) published on Thursday said 91.7% of sites covering a total of 4,869 licences were recorded as either excellent, good or broadly compliant in 2016.
The remaining 8.3% of sites – 440 licences – were categorised as either at risk, poor or very poor.
Environmental regulation compliance by waste and recycling operators rose from 72.5% in 2009 to 90.3% in 2016 but the agency said regulation will be stepped up around food and drink factories as compliance dropped from 90.9% in 2010 to 88.3% in 2016.
Further data published showed sheriffs handed out fines totalling £92,575 in 2016/17 for cases referred by Sepa.
The agency referred a total of 12 cases to the Crown Office in 2016/17, the lowest level in six years.
In the same period 120 statutory notices were served for non-compliance with environmental regulations and 113 final warning letters issued for the same reason.
The waste and recycling sector had the highest number of cases referred to prosecutors (42%), warning letters (46%) and statutory notices served (48%) in 2016/17.
Sepa Chief Executive Terry A’Hearn said: “Every day, SEPA works to protect and enhance Scotland’s environment helping communities and businesses thrive within the resources of our planet.
“As part of that we’re clear, environmental compliance is non-negotiable. Every Scottish business will comply with the law, and we’ll work to ensure as many as possible will go even further.
“This latest report card on the environmental performance of Scottish regulated businesses is encouraging, with significant outcomes achieved for Scottish communities.
“It’s a reminder that we’ll work positively with those who want to do the right thing by Scotland’s environment, and a wake up call to those that don’t.”