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Ministerial foreword
Over the past few years, we have seen major shifts in the way in which Scotland deals with its household waste. We have begun the move away from landfill towards recycling and composting and towards other forms of treating waste.
However, we also want to reduce the amount of waste we produce in the first place. This is not easy. We estimate that household waste is growing at around 2% per annum. The reasons for this relate to the changing way that we live our lives - more single person households, increasing income, less spare time and less 'make do and mend'.
Our aim, as outlined in the National Waste Plan, is to stop the growth in municipal waste by 2010. We are already supporting a number of waste prevention measures, such as the work by the Waste and Resources Action Programme ( WRAP) on home composting, real nappies and with the retailers. However, we need now to consider all aspects of waste prevention and what more can be done by designers, manufacturers, retailers, consumers, communities, local authorities and Government.
The purpose of this consultation is to obtain views on those areas where we should focus attention. This consultation covers product designers, manufacturers, retailers, consumers, communities and local authorities to ensure that we cover all areas. However, when it comes to taking action we will want to concentrate on those areas where we can make a real difference, to ensure that any work is targeted and produces results. It would be helpful if consultees, when responding to the document, could outline priority action areas. In some cases, there may be a need for more in depth consultation on specific proposals.
Tackling waste prevention is difficult. We need to achieve continued economic growth whilst, at the same time, ensure that scarce natural resources are preserved and enhanced. I look forward to working further with Scottish society to try and achieve these aims.
Ross Finnie
Minister for Environment and Rural Development
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