- New powers will reduce waste and grow green economy
New legislation will create the tools to tackle waste and
increase reuse and recycling rates.
The Circular Economy Bill will give Ministers powers to:
- Set local recycling targets, building on the experience of
Wales, which has the best recycling rate in the UK
- Set statutory targets for delivery of a circular economy to
measure progress in reducing waste and the nation’s carbon
footprint
- Ban the disposal of unsold consumer goods, to prevent good
products ending up in landfill
- Place charges on single-use items like coffee cups to
encourage the move to reusable alternatives
Local authorities will be given additional enforcement powers,
allowing them to crack down on flytipping and littering from
cars.
The Scottish Government will also work with local authorities to
co-design an updated national Code of Practice for household
waste recycling, to improve consistency of services and increase
the quality and quantity of recycling collected.
Circular Economy Minister said:
“I want everyone in the country to experience a modern, easy to
use waste service that makes it easy for people to do the right
thing for the planet.
“The Circular Economy Bill with give local Councils and the
Scottish Government the powers they need to transform our economy
and tackle throwaway culture.
“Of course, the best way of tackling waste is to not create it in
the first place. There are huge economic opportunities in the
circular economy and we have already seen businesses in Scotland
creating jobs by turning what we might otherwise throw away into
valuable new products and services.
“This legislation will support the growth of more green
businesses and community organisations while cutting waste and
climate emissions.”
Background
Circular Economy
(Scotland) Bill
