A number of proposals on how to further reduce waste and increase recycling in Scotland have been published by the Scottish Government.
Among the ideas being considered in the zero waste consultation, which opens today, are increased recycling facilities at sports grounds, shopping centres, beaches and cinemas, and an examination of “deposit and return schemes” for bottles, designed to automate the collection and identification of used beverage containers, issuing a refund receipt or money.
Launching the consultation, Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “In recent years, Scotland has been making steady progress in increasing recycling rates and reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill.
“However, the Scottish Government is committed to achieving a recycling rate of 70 per cent and cutting municipal waste sent to landfill to five per cent by 2025.
“The time is now right for a major push towards making these targets a reality and help limit the effects of climate change.
“To do this we must reduce the unnecessary use of raw materials, prevent waste and use more recycled material.
“A fresh look at deposit and return schemes, including hi-tech 'reverse vending machines' are a real possibility and could double the number of bottles recycled in Scotland. They could also be used for other drinks containers, as well as food tins and aluminium, takeaway trays.”
Lochhead added: “I am also keen to explore the greater role that businesses and public bodies can play in terms of providing recycling facilities, particularly at large public events such as football matches and music festivals - but also at company offices. The Scottish Government is currently looking at other ways to increase recycling in the workplace.
“There are proposals on packaging and on carrier bags which we are also looking at as part of the Zero Waste Retailers Group.
“The proposals we are consulting on today could make a real difference in achieving our goals of a 'Zero Waste' Scotland. I want to hear from anyone with an interest in waste and recycling including businesses, public bodies and individual Scots.
“We all have a role to play in ensuring Scotland becomes a cleaner, greener place and dealing with our waste responsibly is a huge part of that.”
The Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) welcomes the Scottish Government’s ambition on eliminating unnecessary waste, outlined today (Monday) in its ‘Zero Waste Consultation’ and will continue to work with the Government. But the SRC added that it has concerns about the overall environmental effectiveness of the proposals.
Fiona Moriarty, SRC Director, said: “Retailers are already making huge strides in reducing the environmental impact of their operations. The retail sector has, for example, committed to sending less than 50 per cent of waste to landfill by 2013. Retailers recognise their part in achieving a zero waste society but cannot accomplish this in isolation. Government and customers must also play their part.
“We share the Scottish Government’s overall aim of removing unnecessary waste and are keen to maintain a constructive dialogue with policy makers. But they must put customers at the heart of any proposals and understand the impact legislation will have on the businesses that serve those customers.”
The consultation can be found here. It is broken down into seven areas, and the results from the consultation will form part of possible legislation to be included in the Climate Change Bill.
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