Scottish institutions set green procurement targets

Scottish Environment Minister Ross Finnie has called on institutions, from council to colleges, to ensure that at least 10% of the total value of materials used on projects over £1m should be derived from recycled and reused content.

In addition, the minimum levels of recycled content outlined for paper products are at least 50% in printing and writing paper applications, and 100% in tissue paper applications.

The Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has been working with other organisations which promote recycling to produce an in depth guide to help local authorities meet these targets.

“Using recycled materials and reclaimed products in the economy makes a very real contribution to tackling climate change,” said WRAP’s chief executive, Jennie Price.

“The Scottish Executive is showing real leadership by encouraging the public sector to start specifying recycled content as early as practicable, and, importantly, to measure progress from the beginning of 2007/8.”

Local authorities leading by example include Glasgow, Dundee, South Ayrshire and Aberdeen City Council which already specifying at least 10% recycled content in construction projects.

WRAP claims this requirement is achievable at no extra cost and good practice can be delivered using just a few product substitutions or quick wins.

For construction, the programme’s guidance includes its web-based evaluation tool for Recycled Content in Construction Projects (RC Toolkit), which provides easy to use, free of charge assistance.

A range of other guidance on procuring higher recycled content in a range of construction applications is also available to download on the WRAP website.

Sam Bond