Scotland takes steps towards circular economy

The Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater provided an update on Scotland’s progress towards a circular economy, announcing action on waste and recycling.

Actions include the appointment of waste and sustainability expert Dr Colin Church as the independent chair of a review into the role of incineration in the waste hierarchy in Scotland.

To support the review, planning authorities must now notify Scottish Ministers of any applications or decisions involving incineration facilities until the end of the review period.

The Minister also announced the first round of funding from the Scottish Government’s £70m Recycling Improvement Fund.

Over £7m has been awarded to seven local authorities to increase recycling and prepare for future developments.

Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater said: ‘A circular economy is at the heart of Scotland’s response to the climate emergency and will help dramatically reduce the amount of waste generated in Scotland. We must also find better ways to deal with the waste our economy is currently creating. That’s why I’m pleased that Dr Colin Church will bring his wealth of experience from across the waste and environmental sectors to our review on the role of incineration.

‘To make sure that any plans are closely monitored while the review is ongoing, we have issued a temporary notification direction today. This will ensure that Ministers are abreast of any new planning applications or planning decisions relating to incinerators. It is temporary and does not in any way pre-empt the outcome of the review. We’re also taking action to transform recycling in Scotland. Our Recycling Improvement Fund will deliver one of the biggest investments in recycling in Scotland in a generation. It will make it easier for households to recycle more and help to deliver the rates of recycling needed to meet Scotland’s ambitious climate targets.

‘We are committed to introducing the UK’s first deposit return scheme, helping to increase recycling, reduce littering, and meet our climate targets. While the scheme has been impacted by Brexit and a global pandemic, we are working intensively with Circularity Scotland and industry to make sure it is delivered effectively.’

In related news, Barcelona, Greater Manchester, Helsingborg and Milan have been awarded the title of Global Making Cities Resilient 2030 for their work in climate and disaster risk reduction.

Photo by Jasmin Sessler