With the nation well short of reaching its 70% recycling target by 2025 – it had a local authority recycling rate of 42% in 2020 – the Scottish Government today (30 May) proposes to impose “statutory guidance for provision of high-performance household waste services in different contexts”. This mandatory approach, it says, was supported by previous research in the wake of the voluntary approach that had been adopted with Scotland’s Household Recycling Charter.
Wind turbines
The crackdown on local authorities is part of a series of measures proposed in plans for circular economy legislation in Scotland which would see a new Circular Economy Bill. Also on the agenda is a ban on the landfilling of wind turbine blades in line with forthcoming EU legislation.
‘Imperative’
Backing the consultation document on a Circular Economy Bill, Lorna Slater, MSP Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity wrote of moving “from a ‘take, make and dispose’ model to one where we keep materials in use, is imperative if we are to tackle the climate and nature crises.”
The document explains that Scotland mainly has a linear economy where products and structures are made and disposed of rather than a circular one where resources are kept in use for as long as possible, the maximum value is extracted from them whilst in use and then products and materials are recovered and regenerated at the end of each product’s viable life cycle.
Targets
On targets, the document says that the Scottish Government favours taking powers to set statutory circular economy targets through secondary regulations. “We believe that there is merit in developing statutory targets to tackle consumption reduction as well as other aspects of the circular economy, including reuse”. It also says – in one of many references to the European Union – that Scotland wants this use of powers “to maintain alignment with the direction of EU policy”.
Zero Waste Scotland
The consultation also discusses who would organise the circular economy and suggests that a public body might be an option. Reference is made to Zero Waste Scotland as “Scotland’s circular economy expert” and how it is a significant delivery partner for the Scottish Government. While the document does not suggest ZWS takes on the circular economy role, it would seem to be an option in light of the high esteem in which it appears to be held by the Scottish Government.
Unsold goods
A proposal to ban the destruction of unsold durable goods is also proposed although recycling will be allowed for some, such as electrical items withdrawn from the market for safety reasons where rectification is not possible.
Single use cups
Single use plastics and single use cups feature in the consultation. On single-use disposable beverage cups, the plan is to introduce the secondary legislation to implement the charge on the provision of these type of cups during the course of this parliament, says the document.
It states: “We are also interested to understand views about other single-use items to which a charge might be applied in the future, building on suggestions from the previous consultation to set out where the next set of priority items may be and helping us move to a more circular economy that prioritises reuse over consumption.”
Business waste
Tough reporting lines for businesses are proposed with businesses having a mandatory requirement to do public reporting of unwanted surplus stock and waste of certain materials.
It is noted: “Our intention is that the initial priority for subsequent secondary legislation, with further consultation, would be to introduce reporting on food waste and food surplus. Food waste is responsible for 25% of Scotland’s total carbon waste footprint and an integral part of the EU Action Plan for the Circular Economy. Some UK food businesses voluntarily report their food waste and surplus annually to WRAP. However, there is no requirement for them to make this information public. We believe food businesses in Scotland can have a significant and positive influencing role on wider society in regards to food waste and its effect on climate change.”
Related link
Scottish Government Circular Economy consultation
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