Scotland publishes Circular Economy Bill

The Scottish Government has published its Circular Economy Bills intended to create the tools to tackle waste and increase reuse and recycling rates.

The new bill would give minister the power to set local recycling targets, building on the experience of Wales, which has the best recycling rate in the UK and set statutory targets for delivery of a circular economy to measure progress in reducing waste and the nation’s carbon footprint. Ministers would also be able to ban the disposal of unsold consumer goods, to prevent good products ending up in landfill and place charges on single-use items like coffee cups to encourage the move to reusable alternatives.

Local authorities would also be given additional enforcement powers to crack down on flytipping and littering from cars.

Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater 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.”

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