The draft sets out plans to increase reuse, repair and recycling rates, with ministers envisioning a “thriving economy that meets societal needs and is based on circular economy principles” by 2045.
The accompanying consultation, which will run until 13 January 2026, invites views on the draft vision and outcomes, proposed policy mechanisms, priority sectors, product stewardship plans and the monitoring framework.
Climate Action Secretary Gillian Martin said: “Reducing, reusing and recycling materials has a huge role to play in Scotland’s response to tackling the climate crisis.
“By supporting Scotland to move towards a culture where keeping materials and goods in use for as long as possible is the norm, we will also be able to drive economic growth by increasing the resilience of our supply-chains and encouraging innovation.”
Priority sectors
Five sectors have been identified as priorities for action:
- Built environment
- Net zero energy infrastructure
- Textiles
- Transport
- The food system
Roadmaps will be developed for each priority sector except transport, which is a key sector within the forthcoming Climate Change Plan and therefore will not have its own map.
Scotland’s first national Circular Economy Monitoring and Indicator Framework is outlined in the Strategy, which will be used to form the basis for future national targets to be developed by 2027.
The draft strategy also outlined a broad policy framework designed to drive the systemic changes needed to move Scotland towards a circular economy.
Financial levers and policy
Economic incentives and business support are identified as central to the transition, with public procurement identified as a level for change.
The Strategy suggested embedding circularity into procurement processes to prioritise reuse, repair and reduced material consumption.
Ministers are considering new regulations requiring public bodies to purchase goods with recycled or reused content, and will issue guidance on adopting circular practices in facilities management across the public estate.
The draft strategy also proposed expanding place-based circular economy programmes, recognising that different communities will need localised approaches to reuse, repair and resource efficiency.
Zero Waste Scotland will establish a Business Information Hub to act as the home of guidance, tools and best practice on circular business models, and a Circular Job Tracker to map employment linked to the circular economy, by March 2026.
Drawing from EU legislation
While operating within the UK framework, the Scottish Government announced its intention to align, where appropriate, with emerging EU circular economy legislation.
The strategy highlights policy including Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, the EU’s Textiles Strategy and EU developments in vehicle and battery circularity as potential legislation to draw from.
Concern about lack of plastics and electronics
While campaigners have welcomed the strategy’s ambition, some have warned that key environmental challenges have been overlooked.
Kim Pratt, Senior Circular Economy Campaigner at Friends of the Earth Scotland, said the draft was “a welcome step towards a fairer and more sustainable future” but pointed to “significant gaps”, including the absence of any reference to plastics.
Pratt commented: “There is not a single mention of plastics, despite growing concern about the plastics crisis both in Scotland and internationally.
“The greatest gap is the failure to consider how a circular economy can reduce the health impacts of harmful materials such as microplastics, heavy metals and forever chemicals.”
Pratt also called for stronger action on reuse and repair services across communities and for producers to take more responsibility for end-of-life products.
Sarah Howden, Head of Sustainable Consumption at climate charity Possible, added: “We’re pleased to see the Scottish Government publishing this new circular economy strategy, which is a significant step forward in ending our throwaway society.
“However, we’re disappointed to see them overlooking the elephant in the room: electronics. Fast tech is becoming the new fast fashion – with disastrous consequences.
“The UK is on track to become the biggest generator of electronic waste per person in the world.
“People are sick of being ripped off by electrical items that break quickly and aren’t repairable. This should be a major focus for the new circular economy strategy.”
England’s Circular Economy Strategy
The UK Government launched its Circular Economy Taskforce in December 2024, which is currently designing the first strategy for the transition to circular economy in England.
Former Environment Secretary Steve Reed confirmed the Taskforce will prioritise textiles, transport, construction, agri-food, and chemicals and plastics.
Reed said that the government’s Circular Economy Strategy is due to be published in Autumn this year, which will underpin the roadmaps being created to improve and reform the approach to using materials.
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