Municipal Solid Waste ( MSW) 3, 4: 2000/01 to 2006/07
Million Tonnes
Million Tonnes |
| 2000/01 | 2002/03 | 2003/04 | 2004/05 | 2005/06 | 2006/07 |
|---|
MSW Arisings | 3.21 | 3.35 | 3.32 | 3.41 | 3.42 | 3.44 |
|---|
MSW Recycled / composted | 0.15 | 0.27 | 0.40 | 0.59 | 0.83 | 0.98 |
|---|
Percentage recycled / composted | 4.5 | 8.0 | 12.1 | 17.3 | 24.4 | 28.4 |
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Irrespective of the EU Landfill Directive targets, the strong dependance on landfill for waste management in Scotland is not sustainable since it involves the depletion of both renewable and finite natural resources. In addition, extracting and processing raw materials may consume large quantities of energy, release pollutants and destroy landscapes and ecosystems. Reducing, reusing and recovering waste are key sustainable development objectives.
Municipal waste arisings rose from 3.21 million tonnes during 2000/01 to 3.44 million tonnes in 2006/07, an increase of 7%. Over the same period the percentage of municipal waste recycled or composted rose from 4.5% to 28.4%. This reflects an increase in the amount of material recycled of more than 550%.
The Scottish Government have set a target to increase the amount of municipal waste being recycled or composted to 70% by 2025 with interim targets of 40% by 2010 and 60% by 2020. In addition, there is also a target of stopping growth in municipal waste by 2010.
Source: Scottish Environment Protection Agency