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CHAPTER 1 : BACKGROUND
1.1 BACKGROUND
Household waste in Scotland
In 1999, the National Waste Strategy was published outlining ways in which Scotland can move towards more sustainable waste management through decreasing landfill waste and promoting recycling and reuse. In order to implement this strategy, the National Waste Plan (published in 2003) set out the basis for a fundamental shift in the management of Scotland's resources. This plan focuses on the behavioural change that is needed to reduce the waste generated in Scotland and on the opportunities that exist from a more rational approach to resource management. This plan sets out a long term programme for the delivery of change needed in relation to sustainable waste management.
A key aim of the National Waste Plan is to stop the growth in municipal waste by 2010. While there are already a number of waste prevention measures in place such as those being carried out by the Waste and Resources Action Programme ( WRAP), there is an acknowledged need to consider all aspects of waste prevention and what more can be done by designers, manufacturers, retailers, consumers, communities, local authorities and the Government.
At present in Scotland over 3.3 million tonnes of municipal waste enters the waste stream each year and the majority of this is generated by households. Figures show that in 2003-4 Scottish households produced around 2.6 million tonnes of waste and that this figure is increasing by around 2% per year. A number of reasons are attributed to this trend and these include:
- increased disposable income, (fuelling demands for consumer products);
- more single person households;
- an increasing convenience led lifestyle;
- fashion trends;
- changing attitudes;
- the low cost of food.
The current picture
Work is being carried out at every level in Scotland in order to meet the aim set in the National Waste Plan. WRAP and ReMaDe Scotland are working to develop markets for recycled materials, while in local authority areas and local communities a range of activities and campaigns are helping to change habits and attitudes. The Scottish Waste Awareness Group ( SWAG) are working with Scottish local authorities and community groups to raise awareness of waste reduction, reuse and recycling. The 'Sort-It' website includes a range of information on how householders can reduce, reuse and recycle waste and is searchable by geographical area. 'The Big Recycle for Scotland' is also an annual campaign run to complement the work being carried out by SWAG throughout the year.
Promotion of recycling and composting services aims to increase the amount of waste processed in these ways with a target of recycling or composting 55% of waste collected by local authorities by 2020. Funding and support is being provided at a national level with over £350 million allocated to the Strategic Waste Fund in order that local authorities can put in place the infrastructure needed to deliver these changes.
Waste prevention
Although work is underway to promote the recycling, reuse and composting of Scotland's waste, initiatives are also needed to prevent the amount of waste being generated. Waste prevention is at the very top of the waste hierarchy and steps are needed both to reduce the amount generated and to ensure any waste that is produced will not pose a hazard to the environment.
While there are a range of policy tools available to tackle waste prevention, the Scottish Executive and SEPA are keen to obtain the views of a range of stakeholders to ensure that steps can be taken that will truly lead to tangible benefits. Consideration is needed as to the impact and effectiveness of the policy tools available which include:
- Local taxation;
- Legislation to ban the use or disposal of some types of materials;
- Incentive schemes;
- Education to raise awareness and promote change;
- Voluntary agreements and partnership working.
The Scottish Executive (Waste and Pollution Reduction Division, Waste Strategy Team)
The Scottish Executive, through the Environment and Rural Affairs Department, supports a variety of measures and initiatives aimed at meeting the targets set in the National Waste Plan. The Waste Strategy Team wishes to focus on targeting those areas of waste prevention with the potential to return measurable results in order to meet the aim of the Scottish Executive "to help the people of Scotland secure a high quality of life through sensitive stewardship and sustainable development of the country's natural resources."
SEPA
The Scottish Environmental Agency ( SEPA) has a key role in the co-ordination of the National Waste Strategy. SEPA is a non-departmental public body established by the Environment Act of 1995 and is responsible for the protection of the environment in Scotland. Its core focus is protection of the land, air and water and this is managed in partnership with other organisations, in a way that enables Scotland to sustain a strong and diverse economy.
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