Figures published today show a steady improvement in Scotland's recycling rates and a reduction in the amount of waste going to landfill.

Recycling performance for January to December 2007 shows that 31.2 per cent of municipal waste was recycled or composted. This is up from 30.5 per cent from the 12 months up to September 2007 and a 4.1 per cent rise from the previous year's figures.

However, Cabinet Secretary for the Environment Richard Lochhead has called for increased action to further improve Scotland's performance.

Speaking ahead of a visit to meet waste officials at Glasgow City Council, he said: “Today's figures are further encouragement that we are on the right track to improving Scotland's recycling performance and householders, communities and local authorities should be commended for their efforts.

“However, with ambitious targets on recycling and landfill reduction now in place to achieve a Zero Waste Scotland, I want to see more being done, particularly in those areas where performance is below par.

“We need to make it as easy as possible for ordinary people to recycle and local authorities have a major role to play.

“It is particularly appropriate to be in Glasgow today and I hope to hear more about how Scotland's most populous local authority is assisting in the drive to make Scotland greener.

“We want to work closely with Glasgow to improve its performance, which will have a significant bearing on the country's overall standing.”

Across Scotland, 66 per cent of waste was sent to landfill, and SEPA said that to reach the next target of 40 per cent of municipal waste be recycled or composted by 2010 will be the responsibility of everyone in Scotland, not just an issue for the local authorities.

SEPA’S head of the waste unit, Kenny Boag said: “The latest figures released are positive news and Scotland has made great efforts to meet the recycling and compost targets over the past few years, but we can’t slow down yet. The targets for the future are very challenging and if we are to meet them we will need to increase our efforts.

“We all need to do more to minimise waste growth in our local areas and then continue to maximise recycling to keep up the result we have seen to date.”

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