Zero Waste ScotlandThe Scottish Government is committed to moving toward a Zero Waste Scotland This will help ensure that Scotland conserves and utilises valuable resources properly and reduce traditional reliance on disposing of waste in landfill. An estimated 22.6 million tonnes of controlled waste arose in Scotland during 2006-07, broken down into the following type: - Commercial and Industrial waste - 19.6 million tonnes
- Household Waste - 3.0 million tonnes
There is a need to promote sustainable waste management practice amongst industry and commerce as we move forward with a planned review of the National Waste Plan Householders can also play a part by preventing and reducing waste by recycling and composting The Scottish Government has assisted householders in increasing the amount of household waste recycled and composted but more needs to be done to increase efforts by Reducing, Reusing and Recycling The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Richard Lochhead, in his announcement to Parliament on January 24, 2008, proposed new recycling/composting targets for municipal waste of a minimum of 50 per cent by 2013; a minimum of 60 per cent recycling by 2020; and a minimum of 70 per cent by 2025. In addition to this the Cabinet Secretary proposed a cap on energy-from-waste of 25 per cent and a 5 per cent limit on landfill of municipal waste by the year 2025. The Scottish Government also has a national indicator to reduce to 1.32 million tonnes of waste sent to landfill by 2010. Scotland's performance against this indicator is available to view on Scotland Performs For help and advice on reducing waste, please visit the Go Greener website. |