While the improvement in recycling performance is welcome, much more needs to be done
Richard Lochhead
Data submitted to the government's WasteDataFlow system shows that the recycling and composting rate for the second quarter of 2008/09 (July to September) increased to 36.3% (315,795 tonnes). When looked at in context of the whole year, to eliminate seasonal factors, this means the country reached a 32.9% recycling rate from October 2007-September 2008.
The provisional figures represent a 2.8% rise from the same period last year and indicate progress under the Scottish Government's ambitious Zero Waste policy, which intends to see 40% of waste generated in the country composted or recycled by 2010, 50% by 2013 and 70% by 2025.
However, the statistics still show Scotland trailing the recycling and composting performance of both England and Wales, with England yesterday (February 12) reporting a household waste recycling rate of 35.5% for the year ending June 2008 (see letsrecycle.com story).
Environment secretary, Richard Lochhead, said: “I am very pleased to see that a number of local authorities are heading in the right direction on our journey to becoming a Zero Waste society and setting a good example for others to follow.”
“While the improvement in recycling performance is welcome, much more needs to be done. The Scottish Government has set an ambitious target of recycling 70% of municipal waste by 2025,” he added.
Bill Proctor, waste data unit manager at SEPA, said: “Today's figures show a continuing steady rise in Scotland's recycling and composting rate. The rise represents the efforts of the public and local authorities to manage waste more sustainably and move towards the aim of a zero waste Scotland.”
“These positive results should encourage us all to continue with our efforts to minimise waste growth and maximise recycling and to continue to meet the ambitious recycling/composting targets set out for Scotland,” he added.
Analysis
According to the latest figures, 3,380,771 tonnes of municipal solid waste arose in Scotland between October 2007 and September 2008, of which 1,113,099 tonnes was recycled or composted, while 76,445 tonnes was incinerated and the remainder landfilled.
Traditionally strong performer Clackmannanshire achieved the highest recycling rate of the year up to September 2008 of 43.8%, while Moray achieved 43.3% and East Ayrshire showed continued improvement with 42.7%.
Again, Glasgow was at the foot of the table with a 19.1% recycling rate and only slightly ahead of the Western Isles council Eilean Sair, which recorded a 18.9% recycling rate.
Website
On the same day as publishing the latest recycling figures, the Scottish Government also launched a new website to aid local authorities to help further improve performance.
The Waste Aware Partners website, being run by Waste Aware Scotland, is intended to be accessed by businesses, community groups and other organisations, and enable local authorities to share campaign materials, ideas and best practice.
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