The Strategic Waste Fund (SWF) is a specific grant scheme established by the Scottish Executive for the implementation of the National Waste Strategy in Scotland. It was set up under the Financial Assistance for Environmental Purposes Order 2000 (S.S.I 2000/430). The Executive has made provision for specific funds, within the scheme, to assist local authorities in the implementation of Area Waste Plans (AWPs).
Allocations to the SWF for local authorities since its inception are as follows:
Year | 2000-2001 | 2001-2002 | 2002-03 | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 |
Amount | £3m | £4.2m | £11m* | £35.5m* | £90m | £111.5m |
Year | 2006-07 | 2007-08 |
Amount | £120.1m | £132.6m |
* As revised
At present, funding has been secured up to 2007-8. Funding thereafter is subject to spending reviews.
The National Waste Plan (NWP) sets out the long-term approach to moving towards sustainable waste management in Scotland. The principal aim of the NWP is to secure a paradigm shift in thinking and moving from the mindset where we consider ourselves to be dealing with waste to one where we manage resources. Preparation of the NWP was informed by processes undertaken in forming 11 Area Waste Plans (AWP's). The main purpose of each AWP was to identify the best practicable environmental option (BPEO) for dealing with waste in the respective areas. The strategic options which are agreed for the management of municipal solid waste (MSW) in the Area Waste Plans should form the basis of applications to the Strategic Waste Fund. SWF Guidance for Local Authorities can be found here.
The National Waste Plan outlines Scotland's strategy for meeting the targets for reduction of biodegradeable municipal waste (BMW) being landfilled set out in Article 5 of the EC Landfill Directive. The respective targets are:
· By 2010 reduce the amount of BMW to 75% of the 1995 arisings;
· By 2013 reduce the amount of BMW to 50% of the 1995 arisings;
· By 2020 reduce the amount of BMW to 35% of the 1995 arisings.
The National Waste Plan also sets targets for recycling and composting 25% of Scotland's municipal solid waste and reduce the amount of BMW going to landfill to 1.5 million tonnes by 2005-06.
Allocations to the SWF can be made by the Executive to local authorities either as capital grants, revenue grants PPP support or a combination thereof. The actual facilities and services that are eligible for funding will depend on the BEPO identified in the relevant Area Waste Plan.
The purpose of the Strategic Waste Fund is to decrease the amount of waste sent to landfill by means of waste reduction, reuse, recycling, composting or a recovery of energy in line with the AWP's.
The actual facilities plant and equipment or services which may be constructed or purchased with the grant will depend on the BPEO established by the relevant AWP. Examples of qualifying expenditure include:
· introduction of waste reduction initiatives;
· introduction of expansion of separate collection and treatment of municipal waste recyclate;
· provision of composting equipment;
· provision of upgrading of recycling and materials reclamation facilities;
· integration of waste management contracts; and
· promotion of education activities.