Prompt action pledged in Scotland after waste summit

MSPs and representatives from the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) attended the event (see letsrecycle.com story), where presentations were given to encourage councils to collect a wider range of recyclable materials and to mimic the success of recycling schemes in Bavaria, Germany.

This was followed by an open-floor debate on how Scotland would achieve a “zero waste” society, where ministers were keen to listen to inputs from stakeholders. Possible solutions included reducing waste to landfill and introducing energy from waste.

Speaking today (October 4, 2007), an Executive spokesman described the meeting as a “key milestone” in developing a new waste management strategy for Scotland which could include increased recycling targets and guidance on recycling and waste management.

Now the Government will consider the findings with its own ideas on managing waste, and is expected to publish a new waste strategy at some point in 2008.

Addressing delegates, Scotland's environment minister Michael Russell, said: “This Government aspires to a zero waste society and today's summit will provide valuable ideas on how that becomes a reality.”

Scotland's cabinet member for rural affairs and the environment Richard Lochhead added: “There will be prompt action on dealing with waste, but we need to have local authorities, the waste management community and the public on board.”

Figures

The event came as the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) published new figures showing that 28.4% of Scotland's municipal waste was recycled or composted in 2006/07.

Clackmannanshire came once again top of the table, with a recycling rate of 43.6%. The lowest recycling council was Glasgow, with a 16.8% recycling rate.

Scotland also reduced waste growth from around 2% in 2005/06 to 1%.

Commenting on the figures, Mr Lochhead said; “The amount of waste going to landfill is down. In 2006-07, we sent over 100,000 tonnes less municipal waste to landfill, when compare with 2005/06.

“But we must do more to tackle waste growth in a move towards a zero waste society,” he said.