Scotland To Do More To Combat Waste

28th May 2008

Scotland has increased efforts in recycling and composting waste over the past five years, but is it enough? The latest recycling and composting figures were released today by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and show a small increase in figures reaching 31.2%.

It was great news that Scotland met the 30% target for 2008, but it may not be enough to meet the challenging targets set out by the Cabinet Minister Mr. Richard Lochhead in January this year. To reach the next target of 40% by 2010 will be the responsibility of everyone in Scotland to take part, not just an issue for the local authorities.

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."

Quarter 3 figures are from October - December 2007 and rolling year figures are from January 2007 - December 2007 and can be found at:
www.sepa.org.uk/nws/data/returns.htm.

The rolling year data aggregates the last four quarters' returns and is the best means of comparison for annual data as it eliminates seasonal factors. The recycling/composting rate calculated from the rolling year data is used when checking progress towards meeting the recycling/composting targets.

Recycling/composting targets are 40% by 2010, 50% by 2013 and 60% by 2020 and an aspirational target of a minimum of 70 per cent by 2025.

Cabinet Secretary, Mr Richard Lochhead released a Parliamentary statement on a Vision for Waste on 24th January 2008. Details of Mr Lochhead's statement can be found at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/01/24145725