This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Launch of National Waste Plan
24/02/2003
A seven-fold increase in recycling and composting waste,
and a reduction in the use of landfill sites by 66% were
outlined today at the launch of Scotland's National Waste
Plan.
The
National Plan, and
11 Area Waste Plans,
set out the Executive's targets for sustainable waste
management until 2020, including plans for segregated
kerbside recycling waste collection in nine out of ten
Scottish homes.
The Plan was prepared by the Executive and Scottish
Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) in consultation with a
wide variety of groups, will be implemented by SEPA and
local authorities across Scotland.
Speaking at the launch, Environment Minister Ross Finnie
said:
"Scotland's track record on recycling is abysmal - the
launch of our National Waste Plan will help take Scotland
from the bottom of Europe's recycling league towards the
top.
"Improving our record on recycling is vitally important.
We have set initial targets of recycling and composting 25%
of municipal waste by 2006, and by 2020 we intend to raise
this figure to 55%.
"We are conscious of the effect that current actions
have on the environment. That is why our Plan will reduce
the amount of waste we currently send to landfill from 90%
to 30% by 2020.
"It is important that resources are in place to allow
these targets to be met. We are investing £230 million over
the next three years, through our Strategic Waste Fund, to
help local authorities recover wasted resources and put
their Area Waste Plans into practise.
"We are also launching 11 Area Waste Plans today, and
these set out how different regions in Scotland will
contribute to meeting our targets, including segregated
kerbside waste collection for over 90% of households.
"Tackling this issue is the responsibility of everyone
in the country. Government and agencies will obviously play
a prominent role, but we are also looking for real change
in public behaviour. It is important that everyone in
Scotland plays their part.
"Businesses can also play an important role in this -
being green will not mean being in the red - it can be good
both for the environment and the bottom line. The National
Plan will help develop new markets for recycled material
which can be exploited by companies in Scotland."
The National Waste Plan
Details of
area waste plans
The launch of the National Waste Plan took place today
at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.