Scotland to recycle 25%

Scottish local authorities are to recycle 25% of municipal waste by 2006, with more than £170 million committed to increasing composting and recycling fourfold from the current 6%, the Scottish Executive has announced.


Scotland’s latest spending review, announced on 12 September, includes £140 million for the Strategic Waste Fund to support capital and current local authority expenditure on the implementation of area waste plans. On top of this, £21 million has been allocated for other initiatives, including the development of recycling markets, waste minimisation, and the handling and disposal of waste fridges and hazardous waste.

A further £10 million has also been allocated to the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) to fund its regulation of waste, and to implement the National Waste Strategy.

“Scottish people want to recycle much more [of] their waste, rather than know it is all just dumped in landfills,” said Scottish Environment Minister Ross Finnie.

“But people cannot just sit back and expect these changes to happen,” Finnie added. “We all produce waste, from our households and at work. Everyone has a part to play in tackling the waste mountain.” Because of this, the Minister announced that he would like to see local authorities helping to finalising area waste plans without delay, and to work in partnerships to deliver economies of scale.

“Businesses can help by green procurement, using recycled materials to save valuable resources and reduce their waste,” said the Minister. “And individuals can play their part, by reducing, reusing and recycling where they can.” The Scottish Executive will be promoting this message through its ‘do a little: change a lot’ campaign.

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