Tuesday 29 Jul 2008 @ 17:15
Scottish Government
Scottish Government
 Printable version
|
 E-mail this to a friend
|
Scotland's push for 'zero waste'
A number of innovative proposals on how to further reduce waste and increase recycling in Scotland was published yesterday.
Among the ideas being considered are increased recycling facilities at sports grounds, shopping centres, beaches and cinemas.
The proposals form part of the Scottish Government's ambition for a 'Zero Waste' Scotland.
Launching the consultation, Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said:
"In recent years, Scotland has been making steady progress in increasing recycling rates and reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill.
"However, the Scottish Government is committed to achieving a recycling rate of 70 per cent and cutting municipal waste sent to landfill to five per cent by 2025.
"The time is now right for a major push towards making these targets a reality and help limit the effects of climate change.
"To do this we must reduce the unnecessary use of raw materials, prevent waste and use more recycled material.
"A fresh look at deposit and return schemes, including hi-tech 'reverse vending machines' are a real possibility and could double the number of bottles recycled in Scotland. They could also be used for other drinks containers, as well as food tins and aluminium, takeaway trays.
"I am also keen to explore the greater role that businesses and public bodies can play in terms of providing recycling facilities, particularly at large public events such as football matches and music festivals - but also at company offices. The Scottish Government is currently looking at other ways to increase recycling in the workplace.
"There are proposals on packaging and on carrier bags which we are also looking at as part of the Zero Waste Retailers Group.
"The proposals we are consulting on today could make a real difference in achieving our goals of a 'Zero Waste' Scotland. I want to hear from anyone with an interest in waste and recycling including businesses, public bodies and individual Scots.
"We all have a role to play in ensuring Scotland becomes a cleaner, greener place and dealing with our waste responsibly is a huge part of that."
The consultation is broken down into seven areas:
* Duties on public bodies and business to provide recycling facilities
* Packaging
* Specifying recyclate
* Waste prevention plans
* Deposit and return
* Mandatory waste data returns from business
* Other measures to encourage waste prevention, including action on carrier bags
The results from the consultation will form part of possible legislation to be included in the Climate Change Bill.
The Scottish Government's key targets in relation to municipal waste are:
* To stop the growth in municipal waste by 2010.
* To achieve 40 per cent recycling/composting of municipal waste by 2010; 50 per cent by 2013; 60 per cent by 2020 and 70 per cent by 2025.
* No more than 25 per cent should be treated by energy from waste by 2025.
* No more than 5 per cent should be landfilled by 2025.
A commitment to recycle is one of the Scottish Government's 10 Greener pledges.
Related Links
Consultation Paper on Potential Legislative Measures to Implement Zero Waste
Ten Steps to a Greener Scotland
Among the ideas being considered are increased recycling facilities at sports grounds, shopping centres, beaches and cinemas.
The proposals form part of the Scottish Government's ambition for a 'Zero Waste' Scotland.
Launching the consultation, Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said:
"In recent years, Scotland has been making steady progress in increasing recycling rates and reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill.
"However, the Scottish Government is committed to achieving a recycling rate of 70 per cent and cutting municipal waste sent to landfill to five per cent by 2025.
"The time is now right for a major push towards making these targets a reality and help limit the effects of climate change.
"To do this we must reduce the unnecessary use of raw materials, prevent waste and use more recycled material.
"A fresh look at deposit and return schemes, including hi-tech 'reverse vending machines' are a real possibility and could double the number of bottles recycled in Scotland. They could also be used for other drinks containers, as well as food tins and aluminium, takeaway trays.
"I am also keen to explore the greater role that businesses and public bodies can play in terms of providing recycling facilities, particularly at large public events such as football matches and music festivals - but also at company offices. The Scottish Government is currently looking at other ways to increase recycling in the workplace.
"There are proposals on packaging and on carrier bags which we are also looking at as part of the Zero Waste Retailers Group.
"The proposals we are consulting on today could make a real difference in achieving our goals of a 'Zero Waste' Scotland. I want to hear from anyone with an interest in waste and recycling including businesses, public bodies and individual Scots.
"We all have a role to play in ensuring Scotland becomes a cleaner, greener place and dealing with our waste responsibly is a huge part of that."
The consultation is broken down into seven areas:
* Duties on public bodies and business to provide recycling facilities
* Packaging
* Specifying recyclate
* Waste prevention plans
* Deposit and return
* Mandatory waste data returns from business
* Other measures to encourage waste prevention, including action on carrier bags
The results from the consultation will form part of possible legislation to be included in the Climate Change Bill.
The Scottish Government's key targets in relation to municipal waste are:
* To stop the growth in municipal waste by 2010.
* To achieve 40 per cent recycling/composting of municipal waste by 2010; 50 per cent by 2013; 60 per cent by 2020 and 70 per cent by 2025.
* No more than 25 per cent should be treated by energy from waste by 2025.
* No more than 5 per cent should be landfilled by 2025.
A commitment to recycle is one of the Scottish Government's 10 Greener pledges.
Related Links
Consultation Paper on Potential Legislative Measures to Implement Zero Waste
Ten Steps to a Greener Scotland
