The package, which will make funding available over two years, was announced by Scottish Environment minister Ross Finnie, who has said the funding will be available to support the Scottish Waste Awareness Group (SWAG) to “design an extensive waste awareness campaign” called Waste Aware Scotland
The campaign will draw on the findings from Scotland’s largest consumer survey into the attitudes towards reducing, reusing and recycling waste, which involved interviewing more than 9000 individuals across Scotland.
Key results of the findings included 83% of people would participate in kerbside waste recycling schemes. Of those questioned, 50% already recycled, while 32% are already involved in home composting. Participants were relatively satisfied with recycling facilities, but believed there was scope for initiatives to change behaviour and perceptions.
Mr Finnie said: “This survey confirms that more needs to be done both to increase awareness among Scottish consumers of the opportunities to reduce, reuse and recycle household waste, and to provide the infrastructure to encourage people to participate in sustainable waste management schemes.”
The survey results and the funding will go towards what the Executive hopes will help to change residents’ attitude towards their waste, and build upon the targets Scotland has in place to increase recycling and composting to 25%. The Scottish Executive will also be working with local authorities and SEPA to put in place Area Waste Plans and will shortly be launching its National Waste Plan.
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