New legislation has been passed to give local authorities the power to increase reuse and recycling rates, the Scottish Government has confirmed.
Alongside local authorities, Ministers will also hold more control over reuse and recycling rates, with this also supporting the modernisation and improvement of waste and recycling services.
Powers that will be given to authorities and ministers through the Circular Economy Bill include:
- The ability to set local recycling targets, with this building on the experiences in Wales which currently has the best recycling rate in the United Kingdom
- Measuring how progress is being made in economic transformation by setting statutory targets for the delivery of a circular economy
- Restricting the disposal of unsold consumer goods, with this preventing good products going to landfill
- Encouraging the transition to reusable items instead of single-use options by placing charges on them
- Further enforcement powers for local authorities as they look to crack down on fly tipping and littering from cars.
Support and investment will be used to underpin the new bill, and these will build on top of the investments that have already been made as part of the Recycling Improvement Fund – worth £70 million.
Gillian Martin, Scotland’s Minister for Climate Action, said:
“There are huge opportunities in having an economy which makes reuse and recycling the default choice for Scottish households, businesses and the public sector.
“We have already seen businesses creating jobs by turning what we might otherwise throw away into valuable new products and services.
“The measures in the Circular Economy Bill will give local councils and the Scottish Government the powers needed to support the sustainable use of resources and cut greenhouse gas emission. For people to do the right thing for the planet, it is crucial that everyone experiences a modern, easy to use waste service.
“We will continue to work with local authorities and householders to co-design how these powers are implementing to take account of different circumstances and needs on our journey towards a truly circular economy.”
Image credit: iStock
