Waste
The National Waste Plan outlines how Scotland will achieve sustainable waste management by 2020. It brings together the Area Waste Plans for the 11 Waste Strategy Areas in Scotland. Together, they set out the basis for a fundamental shift in the way resources are managed, and adopt the waste hierarchy of reduction, re-use and recycling.
The National Waste Plan sets demanding targets for recycling and composting of municipal waste as well as the reduction of waste send to landfill to about one third of previous levels. The changes will be evident through the widespread introduction of segregated kerbside waste collections and the development of waste management infrastructure supported by the Strategic Waste Fund. In order to make recycling economically viable it is also important to develop and support markets for recycled products. Actively procuring products made from recycled materials whether in construction contracts or in areas such as plastics, furniture, paper products and other stationery, can all help to drive the markets for recyclate.
The concepts of re-use and recycling also apply beyond traditional waste management. Charity shops, second-hand dealers and markets are all part of the process of reducing material consumption. They can have an invaluable role, especially for the less well off who need access to affordable goods, provided they are safe and fit for purpose.
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| Paths to Improvement include: | Policy | Being Implemented | Outcomes |
| Are measures in place to encourage the reduction of waste from all sources, including from the local authorities own operations? | |||
| Is the proportion of waste segregated at source or point of collection being increased, and are facilities to enable this being designed in to new developments? | |||
| Are waste management facilities being provided for the increasing proportion of municipal waste that will be recycled and composted, and are there facilities for waste exchange? | |||
| Are the markets for recycled and composted materials, including use of such products by the Council, being supported and developed, including through the use of such products by the Council itself? | |||
| Do local authority contracts include specifications for recycled context (by value)? | |||
| Are waste facilities located to reduce the overall need for transport? | |||
| Are existing and proposed waste facilities avoiding the imposition of environmental hazards and nuisances especially to those in already disadvantaged communities? | |||
| Are community projects in waste management supported and monitored (e.g. through Service Level Agreements), and are steps taken to ensure that successful schemes are continued and replicated? | |||
| Is there support (e.g. through Service Level Agreements) for projects which re-use consumer products, and make available to disadvantaged groups (e.g. homeless people) safe appliances, furniture and other essentials? |