Scotland reports “small” increase in recycling

The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has published data indicating a 4.1% growth in recycling in Scotland between 2006 and 2007, with the municipal recycling rate reaching 31.2%.

With ambitious targets on recycling and landfill reduction now in place to achieve a Zero Waste Scotland, I want to see more being done, particularly in those areas where performance is below par

 
Richard Lochhead

While SEPA described the rise as a “small increase”, the results were heralded by Scottish cabinet secretary for the environment, Richard Lochhead, as proof that Scotland was moving in the right direction.

Speaking on Tuesday, he said: “Today's figures are further encouragement that we are on the right track to improving Scotland's recycling performance and householders, communities and local authorities should be commended for these efforts.”

However, with the Scottish Government having set recycling targets of 40% by 2010 and 70% by 2025, the Scottish Liberal Democrats have questioned how Scotland will boost its recycling rate further.

Mike Rumbles, the Scottish Liberal Democrats shadow environment secretary, said: “It is great news that Scotland is recycling more waste, but concerning that rates were slowing towards the end of last year”, referring to the fact that the recycling and composting rate fell from 33.5% between July and September 2007 to 29.2% for the period October to December 2007.

“Experts agree that Scotland must raise its game to meet the next challenging target of recycling 40% of its waste by 2010.

“It is, therefore, frustrating that the Scottish Government's bluster about the importance of recycling is not matched by action. Far from supporting Scotland in the drive to reduce waste sent to landfill, this Scottish National Part Government has slashed the waste budget by £26 million.

“Ambitious targets are not in themselves sufficient. Targets are easy, delivery is hard,” he concluded.

Challenging

The Scottish Liveral Democrats concerns over the need for greater action were echoed by the head of the waste unit at SEPA, Kenny Boag, who warned that “we can't slow down yet”.

“The targets for the future are very challenging and if we are to meet them we will need to increase our efforts,” he said. “We all need to do more to minimise waste growth in our local areas and then continue to maximise recycling to keep up the result that we've seen to date.”

And, Mr Lochhead acknowledged that more needed to be done in order to meet the recycling targets put in place by his Government.

“With ambitious targets on recycling and landfill reduction now in place to achieve a Zero Waste Scotland, I want to see more being done, particularly in those areas where performance is below par.”

“We need to make it as easy as possible for ordinary people to recycle and local authorities have a major role to play,” he added.

As well as its recycling goals, the Scottish government has called for the amount of waste going to landfill to be reduced to just 5% by 2025 (see letsrecycle.com story).