In a report produced this month (10 December 2015) titled ‘Building Resource Networks: The Aggregated Services Model’, Viridor said that the current Scottish recycling policy remains largely based on “outdated assumptions” about resources, adding that the country is at a ‘cross-roads’ in its progress on recycling.
Instead, to achieve a resource management system that is fit for purpose, Scotland should adopt ‘Resource Networks’ – a system based on an aggregated services model which is already in place in Manchester, the paper argues.
The Manchester model, a resource partnership between the public and private sector, sees the city work with nine waste collection authorities to manage 4.2% of England’s waste. Currently the system serves 2.2 million households and handles 1.1 million tonnes of municipal waste per annum.
Suggestions
The report offers actions the Scottish government could take to further boost its recycling rates and work towards a resource network.
Suggestions include piloting standard collections on specific materials such as glass or WEEE, developing a Scottish Networks Networks innovation fund and innovating through the creation of a Scottish Resource council.
As well, the Scottish Government could: “recognise, as part of national infrastructure and resilience policy, the economic opportunity of Scotland’s resources and move to establish a new, economy-wide model, setting mandatory common standards for collections by councils.”
Circular economy
Viridor praised Scotland for the progress it has made so far towards meeting the goals of the circular economy and its encouragement for a single, unified system for recycling collections.
This month (9 December 2015) a charter was published recommending the single system collections as part of a joint initiative from Zero Waste Taskforce, a joint initiative between the Scottish Government, the Confederation of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) and Zero Waste Scotland (see letsrecycle.com story).
The charter comes after a consultation launched by Scotland’s environment secretary Richard Lochhead on measures aimed at creating a ‘more circular’ economy within the province (see letsrecycle.com story).
Dan Cooke, director of external affairs, Viridor, said: “We applaud the excellent leadership shown by the Scottish government towards the green economy.
“But the report points out where more could be done such as developing fully-integrated resource networks focused on the availability of high quality materials.
“There is a significant opportunity for Scotland’s political parties to commit to the adoption of resource networks that would position the country as the leader in European resource management.”
Next steps
Viridor said that it will continue to make a positive contribution to policy development by presenting its proposals as part of its contribution to Scotland.
Furthermore, Martin Grey, head of media relations and public affairs, Viridor, stated the company is now in talks with the Scottish government on the next steps to see where it fits in.
“This report has come at a good time and our future working with Scotland is looking positive,” he added.
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