Publication - Impact assessment

Circular economy and waste route map to 2030: strategic environmental assessment - environmental report

Published: 18 January 2024
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Part of: Environment and climate change
ISBN: 9781835215616

Environmental report relating to our consultation on key priority actions that will unlock progress across the waste hierarchy.

Supporting documents

4 Reduce and reuse

4.1 Promote responsible production, consumption, and reuse

4.1.1 Outcomes

Likely decrease in demand for virgin materials

All of the measures within this theme have been designed to reduce Scotland’s consumption of new products and materials, which in turn is likely to result in a decrease in raw material extraction (or import) in the long term.

The introduction of bans or charges on single use items will result in a drop in demand for in-scope products. There is evidence of successful implementation of charges on single-use items in Scotland in the recent past: the single-use carrier bag charge was estimated to achieve reductions in the region of 80% of in-scope bag sales in its first year of implementation^[63].

It is estimated that 4,566.6 tonnes of single-use cups and 583.1 tonnes of plastic lids are placed on the market each year^[64]. A significant decrease in sales of single-use cups and other disposable items is likely to lead to a subsequent long term decrease in the requirement for the raw materials extracted to produce them e.g. timber felling to produce fibre cup board.

The effect will be offset by an increase in demand for reusable alternatives e.g. in the previous example of the carrier bag charge, in Wales, sales of Bags for Life increased by 46% in the first full year of charging, and a similar increase was estimated for Scotland^[65]. The sharp increase may be partially due to the low price of Bags for Life and is not likely to be reflective of the volume of more expensive reusable items sold. For beverage cups, it is likely that the net impact will be a shift in material demand, away from fibre, polyethylene (PE), polylactic acid (PLA) and polystyrene (PS); and towards materials commonly used to produce refillable hot drinks cups, i.e. steel, polycarbonate (PC), glass, and polypropylene (PP). Further charges and bans will build on existing regulations, namely the carrier bag charge (2014) and single use plastics ban (2022). This intervention will be targeted at products out of scope of the existing ban on certain single-use plastic products, with drinks cups being the only confirmed product at the time of writing. If the products in question are readily recyclable, there may be a drop in components made available for reprocessing. While this could have a knock-on impact on virgin material extraction, the impact is not expected to be significant. Products targeted through such measures are unlikely to be those which are widely recycled.

Restrictions on the destruction of unsold goods will result in surplus stock being sold, donated, or recycled. This will reduce the demand for new products, and increase the availability of used components for remanufacture. Alongside these restrictions targets, strategies, and support aimed at increasing reuse among consumers will be designed to drive down the demand for new products which in turn will also reduce material consumption and the corresponding extraction of virgin materials.

Overall, net reductions in the production of virgin materials are likely, though shifts in demand between different materials may be seen. The specific products to be targeted by the measures in this package are yet to be determined. Only once these have been identified can the exact impact on material extraction be assessed.

Decrease in requirement for manufacturing of components and products

A reduction in demand for single use items resulting from the measures within this package will result in fewer products and components such as disposable cups and lids being manufactured or imported into Scotland. For example, It is estimated that a minimum charge on single use cups will result in a 15.4% - 39.4% reduction in the number of single-use cups placed on the market by 2035, equivalent to 62.1 million – 159.4 million cups.^[66]

Increased reuse is also likely to reduce the requirement for new products and components to be manufactured and imported. Zero Waste Scotland’s research into reuse in Scotland suggests that up to 150,000 tonnes of reusable materials are currently either being disposed of or sent to lower-value recycling.^[67] Capturing this material for reuse will in turn reduce the demand for new products, thus lessening manufacturing requirements for products and components made in Scotland, or imports of those made abroad,

A long term decrease in consumption of new products through behaviour change interventions and the promotion of alternative business models such as sharing libraries and rental subscriptions will further reduce manufacturing requirements.

The overall outcome is a likely reduced manufacture and material extraction for products and single-use components, offset to an extent by an increase in demand for reusable alternatives.

For example, for the charge on single-use cups, demand for components such as paper composite hot drinks cups, polystyrene drink lids, and PET/PLA cold drinks cups and lids is likely to decrease. Meanwhile, use and subsequently demand for materials required to produce re-fillable cups is likely to increase, for example stainless steel portable cups, glass portable cups, ceramic cups, and plastic (polycarbonate/polypropylene) cups and lids.

Promotion of circular economy

Measures such as improving the reuse retail experience for consumers, accelerating circular economy focused procurement practices, expansion of business models that prolong product lifespan, and rolling out a national behaviour change strategy will all contribute to a societal shift in attitudes towards the circular economy. Purchasing second hand is likely to become a more appealing option to consumers, and there may be increased awareness of circular business models offering alternative ways to shop e.g. rental services, repair, refurbishment, resale, etc. as these business models are incentivised, becoming more common and more accessible to consumers.

By accelerating climate change and circular economy focused procurement practices, market confidence in the provision of circular goods and services should increase, itself supporting alternative business models through investment. In the medium to long term, this will increase access for consumers.

In 2022, the Circularity Gap Report for Scotland^[68] was published. Among the scenarios to improve circularity is a recommendation to ‘welcome a circular lifestyle’, underpinned by strategies including a prioritisation of circular textiles (reusing, repairing, DIY, donating, recycling), reduced consumption of plastic products, and increased furniture and home appliance repair. The promotion of the circular economy among Scotland’s citizens is likely to contribute to these strategies in the long term, enabling and emboldening the desired outcome of this package to reduce material consumption.

Increase in resource use for maintenance of reusable products

As a result of charges and bans on single-use products and increased awareness of the environmental damage caused by single-use items, it is likely that there will be a rise the popularity and use of reusable alternatives, such as re-fillable beverage cups and reusable food containers. In order to keep these products in use, regular maintenance (i.e. cleaning) will be required. The cleaning process is likely to require the following resources: hot water (water, energy) and washing up liquid or dishwasher tablets.

A study commissioned by KeepCup^[69] provided the following data on water and energy use to wash one reusable cup:

0.3 litres (dishwashing) – 0.5 litres (handwashing) water used

0.025 kWh electricity to wash using dishwasher

0.084 MJ natural gas heating for a warm handwash

Increased revenue from charges

It has not yet been confirmed whether there will be any obligations on what retailers will be expected to do with the revenue from any new charges on single use items. In the past, taking the example of the single use carrier bag charge, a voluntary agreement was put in place, asking retailers to report carrier bag sales and commit to donating the money raised through the charge to good causes in Scotland. For large grocery retailers alone, the initial 5 pence carrier bag charge was expected to raise £6.7 million for good causes in 2015^[70].

Should a voluntary agreement be made available for future charges on single-use items, wider societal benefits may be enabled as a result of any charges mandated.

Decrease in disposal of materials via landfill or incineration

The measures in this package are focused on keeping products in use for as long as possible and preventing unnecessary materials from being placed on the market and ultimately thrown away. By reusing materials and components, banning the disposal of unsold durable goods, and prolonging product lifespans, fewer materials will enter waste management each year, and thus smaller volumes of material will be landfilled or incinerated.

Due to the broad nature of the measures, the effect may cover a range of materials, such as textiles, plastics, and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE).

Between 4,000 and 4,600 tonnes of waste are estimated to be generated by single-use cups each year^[71]. Due to their plastic lining, they can be hard to recycle, resulting in most of them being incinerated or sent to landfill.^[72] A Zero Waste Scotland trial^[73] found that a cost neutral disposable cup charge of £0.05 - £0.10 (replacing an equivalent existing discount) increased average reuse rates from 20.0% to 29.6%. An Expert Panel on Environmental Charging and Other Measures recommended an initial minimum price of between 20-25p per cup, likely to result in improvements at least as significant as the aforementioned study^[74], though it should be noted that the sample size of the study is not large enough to draw national conclusions from.

Decrease in litter and flytipping

Measures relating to single-use items are most likely to impact levels of litter in Scotland. For example, an estimated 40,000 disposable cups are littered in Scotland each year ^[75]. Charges and bans on placing single use items on the market will reduce the amount of disposable material sold in Scotland, subsequently reducing the volume eventually becoming litter.

4.1.2 Biodiversity, flora, and fauna

SEA Assessment questions for biodiversity, flora, and fauna:

Will the plan avoid adverse impacts to habitats and species?
Will it protect, maintain, and enhance biodiversity?

Overall, the measures within this package are likely to avoid adverse impacts to habitats and species through a reduction in habitat disruption caused by material extraction and landfill site creation, decreased pollution from landfill gas, leachate, and incineration of waste, and a reduction in littering. The interventions will help to protect, maintain, and enhance biodiversity in the long term.

Package outcomes relevant to biodiversity, flora, and fauna and their likely impacts are discussed below.

Reduction and/or material shift in extraction of raw materials

SEA Impact: +/?

The extraction of virgin materials may have negative impacts on biodiversity due to increased pollution and disruption or even destruction of habitats.

A reduction in extraction of virgin materials is likely to lead to lower impacts on habitats and species in regions where materials are extracted and processed e.g. tree felling to produce paperboard. However, in a global context, it is unknown whether the fall in demand for virgin materials as a result of this plan will cause a decline in the amount of resources extracted and produced, and consequently reduce risks to habitats and species.

Reduced manufacture of products and components

SEA Impact: +/?

The processes required to transform raw materials into finished components may have negative impacts on habitats and species due to pollution risks and the climate change impacts of energy use. Since some of these processes will be avoided, there may be benefits to biodiversity, flora, and fauna.

Decrease in disposal of material via landfill

SEA Impact: +

Habitats in and around bodies of water such as streams, ponds, lakes, and surrounding soils nearby to landfill sites can become polluted by leachate. A reduction in levels of waste disposal in landfill will lead to lower impacts on habitats and their resident species at a local level.

Landfilling materials, in particular organic matter, can be a major emitter of GHG emissions. Lower levels of landfill gas production, (methane in particular) will reduce the contribution to climate change and indirectly lessen impacts on species and habitats.

The reduced impact on landfill capacity will lessen the longer term requirement for the creation of new landfill sites and the corresponding clearance of wild areas. This in turn will reduce the number of habitats being lost or degraded to create new landfill sites.

Decrease in disposal of material by incineration

SEA Impact: +

Incineration of waste is a source of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants^[76], contributing 0.3MtCO2e of the greenhouse gas emissions for energy supply in 2021, or 19% of all emissions from electricity generation.^[77]

Reduced emissions from energy from waste facilities will lower the resultant contribution to climate change and indirectly lessen impacts on species and habitats.

Reduced levels of litter and flytipping

SEA Impact: +

Littered and fly-tipped items can pose threats to local wildlife and biodiversity. Pollution, for example from microplastics and chemicals such as colour and texture agents can threaten habitats and harm species if ingested or released into the environment. Some species may also be at risk of entanglement from larger littered items. Plastic litter, on a larger scale, can be moved from place to place by ocean currents. This litter can carry bacteria or invasive organisms with it, taking foreign species to new or isolated regions and potentially disturbing fragile ecosystems.

70% of respondents of the 2021 Keep Scotland Beautiful Scottish Litter Survey^[78] believe that litter is a problem locally, and 88% believe that it is a problem nationally. Respondents' top concern was the damage it might do to the natural environment and animals.

A reduction in litter and flytipping will reduced the risk of pollution and ecotoxicity in habitats and soils, as well as limiting the risks to wildlife from ingestion or entanglement.

4.1.3 Population and Human Health

SEA Assessment questions for population and human health:

Will the plan reduce the health gap and inequalities and improve healthy life expectancy?
Will it protect and improve human health and wellbeing through improving the quality of the living environment of people and communities?
Will it increase sustainable access to essential services, employment, and the natural and historic environment?

Overall, the measures within this package are likely to improve health and wellbeing through avoidance of adverse impacts on air quality as well as nuisance and odour levels. As deprived regions are particularly vulnerable to these effects, the interventions may have a minor contribution towards reducing inequalities. There will be further community benefits if revenue from environmental charging is donated to charitable causes. Employment impacts are uncertain, and it is likely that there will be a long term shift in employment patterns to favour jobs supporting the circular economy. In the short term effects are not likely to be significant.

Package outcomes relevant to population and human health and their likely impacts are discussed below.

Reduction and/or material shift in extraction of raw materials, and Reduced manufacture of products and component

SEA Impact: +/?

In 2020, 39,000 people were employed in the agriculture, fishing, and forestry industry in Scotland (1.5% of all people aged 16+ in employment), 62,900 were employed in the mining and quarrying industry (2.4%), and 182,100 people were employed in the manufacturing industry (7.0%)^[79].

There may be impacts on employment in material extraction as a result of a reduced demand for virgin materials. However, in a global context, it is unknown whether the fall in demand for virgin materials as a result of this plan will cause a decline in the amount of resources extracted/produced.

It is likely than any negative impacts on employment in virgin material extraction industries will be offset by increased opportunities for green jobs e.g. in refurbishment, repair, recycling, aligning with the Just Transition. It is currently estimated that 9.7% of jobs in Scotland are related to the circular economy, and up to 60,000 new jobs could be created by implementing the circular strategies explored in the Circularity Gap Report for Scotland^[80]. It is, therefore, likely that Scotland could experience a long term shift in employment, which the interventions in this package may contribute to.

Increased revenue from environmental charges.

SEA Impact: +/?

There is potential for revenue raised from charges on environmentally damaging items to be used to deliver societal benefits in the community if retailers join voluntary agreements to donate profits to good causes, as was done for the Single Use Carrier Bag Charge, though donations are not guaranteed.

Decrease in disposal of material via landfill

SEA Impact: +

Nuisance caused by landfill sites on a local level is likely to be in the form of odour, noise, increased traffic, and vermin. There is good evidence that socially deprived areas are disproportionally exposed to municipal landfill sites.^[81]

Landfills can result in community impact throughout their life cycle. During the operational phase, when wastes are deposited, communities can be negatively impacted by nuisance issues such as odour, dust, noise and vermin. Odour is a significant environmental cause of public complaints of people living near waste treatment facilities and negatively affects quality of life and wellbeing. Odour can be a cause of stress and anxiety, even when the substances causing the odours are not harmful to health at the levels detected at waste treatment locations. Landfills, and specifically landfill odour, account for a significant proportion of public environmental event complaints made to SEPA. In extreme cases, where sites are poorly operated, or have specific gas management issues to address, this has resulted in several hundred public complaints in a single day. Three operational landfills are currently classified by SEPA as sites of ongoing community impact. In 2021, these sites alone accounted for 987 substantiated complaints to SEPA.^[82]

If lower volumes of waste are destined for landfill due to the measures proposed in this package, a reduced negative impact on the wellbeing of nearby residents (and in turn a reduced contribution to health and wellbeing inequality) is likely.

Decrease in disposal of material by incineration

SEA Impact: +/?

Pollution from EfW plants may have a negative impact on the health and wellbeing of nearby residents, and there is scope for further research into potential negative mental and psychological impacts of living close to an incinerator.^[83] Measures targeted at reducing residual waste destined for incineration may therefore have a positive impact on nearby residents.

However, the risk to human health associated with newer incinerators operated within the current regulations, which are based on a precautionary approach, is likely to be minimal and very difficult to detect^[84]. Therefore, health impacts of a reduction in waste incinerated are expected to be minor.

4.1.4 Soil

SEA Assessment questions for soil:

Will the plan safeguard and improve soil quality, quantity and function in Scotland, particularly high value agricultural land and carbon-rich soils?

Overall, a reduction in activities which risk pollution, disruption, and degradation of soils is likely to help to safeguard and improve soil quality in Scotland.

Package outcomes relevant to soil and their likely impacts are discussed below.

Reduction and/or material shift in extraction of raw materials

SEA Impact: +/?

Extraction of virgin materials often has significant land use requirements and processes may be disruptive to soils in the area. There is a risk of material and chemical pollution resulting from these processes e.g. fertilisers and pesticides associated with timber production may pollute nearby soils, reducing soil quality on a local scale.

A reduction in virgin material extraction will lead to a reduction in the levels of associated soil disruption. There may also be a decrease in the level of pollutants produced from virgin material extraction which could negatively impact the quality of nearby soils.

However, in a global context, it is unknown whether the fall in demand for virgin materials as a result of this plan will cause a decline in the amount of resources extracted in Scotland.

Reduced manufacture of products and components

SEA Impact: +

Pollutants from manufacturing facilities may leak into the surrounding area, resulting in a risk of soil degradation on a local scale.

There may be a decrease in the level of pollutants produced from manufacturing plants which in turn could improve the quality of nearby soils.

Decrease in disposal of material via landfill

SEA Impact: +

Leachate from landfill sites can contaminate soils in the surrounding area. A reduction in volumes of material disposed of via landfill will lessen the impact on soil quality in the long term.

A reduced impact on landfill capacity will lessen or delay the longer term requirement for the creation of new sites, thus avoiding an increase in areas of soil vulnerable to material pollution and leachate from landfill sites.

Decrease in disposal of material by incineration

SEA Impact: +

Soils near incinerators may become polluted, and any negative impacts on soils will be reduced as a result of a decrease in waste sent to incinerators or energy from waste facilities.

4.1.5 Water

SEA Assessment questions for water:

Will the plan ensure the sustainable use of water resources?
Will it help to reduce levels of water pollution?

On the whole, limiting production and disposal of goods is anticipated to improve sustainable water use through limiting unnecessary water-intensive processes. This is likely to be offset by water use for maintenance and cleaning of reusable goods. The cumulative impact of these measures is uncertain and dependent on individual and commercial responses to the interventions.

Levels of water pollution are likely to fall due to an expected decrease in residual waste arisings (and therefore disposal) as well as a fall in demand for material extraction and product manufacturing, all of which contribute to water pollution risks.

Package outcomes relevant to water and their likely impacts are discussed below.

Reduction and/or material shift in extraction of raw materials

SEA Impact: +/?

There is a risk of water pollution on a local scale due to virgin material extraction processes. For example, Scotland produces approximately 7.5Mt of wood per annum^[85]. Fertilisers and pesticides associated with timber production may leak into nearby bodies of water.

A reduction in extraction of virgin materials is therefore likely to lead to a decrease in the level of pollutants produced from extraction processes which could negatively impact the quality of nearby bodies of water. There will also be a reduction in any water use associated with extraction processes.

However, in a global context, it is unknown whether the fall in demand for virgin materials as a result of this plan will cause a decline in the amount of resources extracted/produced.

Reduced manufacture of products and components

SEA Impact: +

Some manufacturing processes will require large amounts of water. Pollutants from manufacturing facilities may leak into nearby bodies of water, resulting in a risk of increased water pollution.

A reduction in the manufacturing of new products/components will result in a reduction in the water use during the processes involved. There will also be a decrease in the level of pollutants produced from manufacturing plants which could result in an improvement in the quality of nearby bodies of water.

Increased requirement for resources to clean/ maintain reusable items

SEA Impact: -/?

Maintaining and, in particular, cleaning reusable goods will require water use. An increase in popularity of reusable items may therefore result in an increase in water use. For example, every time one reusable cup is cleaned, it is estimated to use 0.3 - 0.5 litres of water^[86].

Decrease in disposal of material via landfill

SEA Impact: +

Leachate from landfill sites can pollute nearby bodies of water. A reduction in volumes of material disposed of via landfill will lessen the impact on water quality in the long term. A reduced impact on landfill capacity will lessen or delay the longer term requirement for the creation of new sites, thus avoiding an increase in the bodies of water vulnerable to material pollution and leachate from landfill sites.

Decrease in disposal of material by incineration

SEA Impact: +

Some energy from waste processes will require water, and so a reduction in residual waste processed at these plants will result in a decrease in resultant water use. Any pollution impacts on nearby bodies of water may also decrease.

4.1.6 Air

SEA Assessment questions for air:

Will the plan avoid adverse impacts to air quality?
Will it reduce emissions of key pollutants and improve air quality throughout Scotland?
Will it reduce levels of nuisance e.g. noise, vibration, dust, odour, and light?

The overall impact of this package is that a likely reduction in material extraction, manufacturing, and disposal will avoid adverse impacts to air quality by limiting demand for polluting activities. This in turn is likely to reduce emissions of key pollutants as well as nuisance such as odour and noise.

Package outcomes relevant to air and their likely impacts are discussed below.

Reduction and/or material shift in extraction of raw materials

SEA Impact: +/?

Material extraction processes and the associated transport and energy use are likely to emit airborne pollutants. The scale and nature of these emissions will depend on the material in question.

A reduction in extraction of virgin materials is therefore likely to result in a reduction in associated airborne pollutants, thus improving air quality on a local scale. There will also be a decrease in the level of noise and nuisance associated with virgin material extraction.

However, in a global context, it is unknown whether the fall in demand for virgin materials as a result of this plan will cause a decline in the amount of resources extracted/produced.

Reduced manufacture of products and components

SEA Impact: +

Manufacturing processes are often responsible for the emission of airborne pollutants. For example, one SEPA regulated industrial site under the category "Paper and wood production and processing" was responsible for 64 tonnes of particulate matter pollution to air above reporting threshold in 2021, 15.2% of the total across all regulated sites^[87].

A reduction in the manufacturing of new products/components will result in a reduction in associated airborne pollutants, thus improving air quality on a local scale. There will also be a decrease in the level of noise and nuisance on a local scale surrounding manufacturing plants.

Lower volumes of waste disposed of via landfill

SEA Impact: +

Several air pollutants are associated with landfill gas production. A reduction in waste disposed of via landfill is likely to have a positive impact on air quality. Odour levels will also be reduced if the requirement for additional landfill sites is lessened or delayed from a decrease in residual waste arisings.

Lower volumes of waste disposed of by incineration

SEA Impact: +

Incineration of waste is linked to air and noise pollution on a local scale, though with current stringent emissions standards, the evidence is that the air quality impacts are likely to be small . A reduction in volumes of waste disposed of by incineration or energy from waste is likely to have a minor positive impact on air quality.

4.1.7 Climatic factors

SEA Assessment questions for climatic factors:

Will the plan help to reduce existing and avoid new Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions?

A reduction in material demand, manufacture, and disposal will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Though partially offset by resource and energy requirements for product maintenance, the overall impact of this package is expected to be a net reduction in contribution to climate change from material consumption.

Package outcomes relevant to climatic factors and their likely impacts are discussed below.

Reduction and/or material shift in extraction of raw materials

SEA Impact: +/?

The extraction and production of virgin materials is likely to release significant amounts of greenhouse gases. The reduction in the demand of virgin materials should therefore avoid new greenhouse gas emissions. The extent of the reduction will depend on the material, as well as the substitution rate of secondary materials for virgin materials (i.e., does the production of 1 kg of secondary steel reduce the demand for virgin steel by 1kg?). A substitution rate less than one will offset some of the gains of virgin material reduction, but overall GHG emissions, and subsequent impacts on the climate, are expected to be reduced.

Reduced manufacture of products and components

SEA Impact: +

The production of new components or products requires energy and resources that will emit greenhouse gases. For example, a conservative estimate of the CO₂e emissions associated with disposable beverage cups in Scotland is 5,900 tonnes of CO₂e per year^[88] (N.B. this includes disposal as well as production).

Thus, a reduction in the number of components or products produced will help to avoid new GHG emissions. The amount avoided will be dependent on the products and components in question, as well as the substitution rate of reused products.

Increased requirement for resources to clean/ maintain reusable items

SEA Impact: - / ?

Maintaining products to a certain standard may require both energy and new materials and components. For example, the KeepCup^[89] study suggested that 0.025 kWh electricity would be used to wash one reusable cup in the dishwasher, or 0.084 MJ natural gas heating for a warm handwash. There will therefore likely be some additional emissions associated with the resources required to maintain products.

Product reuse will likely reduce emissions at the aggregate, however, assuming product reuse offsets or delays the need for new products. Taking the coffee cup example, after 10 to 41 uses, a reusable plastic coffee cup has a lower equivalent carbon impact than using the same number of single-use cups and disposing of them^[90], and one study concluded that over the lifetime of one reusable cup, 10.3kg of CO₂e could be saved compared to using single-use cups instead (assuming 500 uses / cups of coffee)^[91].

Lower volumes of waste disposed of via landfill

SEA Impact: +

The landfill of waste, in particular organic matter, can be a major emitter of GHG emissions; in 2021, the landfill of household waste accounted for just under 250kt of CO₂e of GHG emissions^[92]. By reducing the amount of waste requiring landfill, GHG emissions from landfill sites should also reduce.

Lower volumes of waste disposed of by incineration

SEA Impact: +

The IPCC estimates that every tonne of waste incinerated releases 0.7-1.2 tCO₂e^[93] ^[94], and energy from waste contributed 0.3MtCO₂e to Scotland’s total greenhouse gas emissions in 2021^[95]. As energy switches to renewable or lower carbon sources, the benefits of energy from waste will fall. Overall, a reduction in the incineration of waste will avoid new GHG emissions from the incineration process, and these benefits are likely to be greater over time.

4.1.8 Material Assets

SEA Assessment questions for material assets:

Will it reduce use and promote sustainable management of natural resources?
Will it reduce ‘leakage’ of material to landfill or energy recovery or as litter?.

This package is targeted at keeping materials in use for as long as possible, reducing demand for the extraction of virgin natural resources, and limiting material waste through disposal and litter. The overall impact of the package is therefore to promote sustainable management of natural resources and reduce leakage of material to litter or disposal.

Package outcomes relevant to material assets and their likely impacts are discussed below.

Reduction and/or material shift in extraction of raw materials , and Reduced manufacture of products and components

SEA Impact: + / ?

The production of new components or products will require materials, both virgin and secondary materials. Avoiding the production of new components/products will help to reduce pressures on resource consumption and promote the sustainable management of natural resources. Virgin material extraction depletes non-renewable stocks of natural resources. The reduction in the production of virgin materials will reduce extraction rates of raw materials. Additionally, if less material is ultimately extracted, less material will require disposal.

For interventions enabling a transition from single use items to reusable alternatives, namely charges and bans, is expected there will be a resultant increase in demand for materials used to produce reusable products e.g. sales of Bags for Life increased by 46% in the first full year of charging in Wales^[96]. For beverage cups, a transition away from fibre-composite, PLA, PS, and PET and towards steel, polycarbonate, ceramics, and glass is likely. However, an increase in reuse is expected to lower material demand on aggregate.

Likewise, interventions which encourage and support alternative business models such as subscription, leasing, or offering products as a service are likely to slow down the demand for new products and the materials and processes required to produce them. Support for community sharing and repair services is likely to have a similar effect through prolonging product lifespans and slowing the demand for new or replacement items.

In a global context, it is unknown whether changes in demand for products and materials as a result of this plan will cause a global decline in the amount of resources extracted/produced.

Lower volumes of waste disposed of via landfill, and Lower volumes of waste disposed of by incineration

SEA Impact: +

Improved diversion of material away from the residual waste stream will result in less material ‘leakage’ to energy recovery or landfill, enabling materials to be kept in use for as long as possible. Incineration and energy from waste plants also require resources for construction and to continue to run. A reduction in the amount of material incinerated will reduce the requirement for any new incineration plants, which would require construction and other materials.

Reduced levels of litter and flytipping

SEA Impact : +

Material that is littered or fly-tipped is a wasted resource. If the material can be recycled or reused, then a reduction in the amount of littered/fly-tipped material will help to reduce pressures on natural resource consumption.

4.1.9 Landscape and visual impacts

SEA Assessment questions for landscape and visual impacts:

Will the plan avoid adverse effects on landscapes and visual impacts?
Will it safeguard and enhance the character and diversity of the Scottish landscape and areas of valuable landscape and geodiversity?

Overall, this package of measures is likely to reduce disposal and production activity as unsightly facilities, which may in turn avoid adverse impacts to landscapes and visual impacts. A reduction in litter and flytipping will help safeguard and enhance the character and diversity of Scottish landscapes.

Package outcomes relevant to landscape and visual impacts and their likely impacts are discussed below.

Reduction and/or material shift in extraction of raw materials

SEA Impact +/?

Virgin material extraction sites, such as mines, are generally considered to be unsightly. For example, Scotland produces approximately 7.5Mt of wood annually^[97]. Reduced felling of trees may enhance landscapes. However, in a global context, it is unknown whether the fall in demand for virgin materials as a result of this plan will cause a decline in the amount of resources extracted/produced.

Lower volumes of waste disposed of via landfill, and Lower volumes of waste disposed of by incineration

SEA Impact: +

Landfill sites and energy recovery facilities are generally considered to be unsightly, both in terms of the sites themselves and in the birds and rodents they can attract. A reduction in the construction of new landfill or incineration sites will therefore avoid adverse effects on landscapes and visual impacts in the long term.

Reduced levels of litter and flytipping

SEA Impact: +

Littering and flytipping are generally considered an eye sore and can detract from landscapes and areas of natural beauty as well as towns and cities. 70% of respondents of the 2021 Keep Scotland Beautiful Scottish Litter Survey^[98] believe that litter is a problem locally, and 88% believe that it is a problem nationally. A reduction in litter and flytipping is likely to reduce negative visual impacts and safeguard or improve the appearance of Scotland’s landscapes.

4.2 Reduce food waste

4.2.1 Outcomes

Each of the paragraphs below describe the expected outcomes of the package. These have been derived from the causal loop diagrams (see Appendix A).

Increased availability of surplus food in communities in the short-medium term.

Support for food redistribution in Scotland seeks to ensure that supply of surplus food to humans is the priority for any food still fit for human consumption. Effective and inclusive systems for food redistribution should increase the accessibility of surplus food for everyone in the short-medium term.

Improved efficiency of businesses selling or preparing food and behaviour change initiatives to reduce food waste could reduce the availability of surplus food in the long term.

Possible reduction in resources used to produce wasted food

The production, processing, and transport of food is extremely resource intensive. Through enabling food waste reductions in households and businesses and taking actions to make the food system more efficient, the measures in this package should ensure that the production, processing, and transport of food which is ultimately wasted is reduced.

The anchor intervention of mandatory reporting of food waste will ensure businesses are equipped with the data and insight needed to fully understand their own waste and surplus, and is likely to result in efficiency improvements in the long term, ultimately resulting in a lower proportion of resource use for ultimately wasted food. The provision of enhanced support for businesses is expected to maximise this effect.

In 2014, Scottish households threw away 600,000 tonnes of food and drink waste, of which 60% was classed as avoidable^[99]. If successful, an intervention plan to guide long-term work on household food waste reduction behaviour change, targeted at households and members of the public, combined with enhanced support for households will reduce the levels of food wasted in households, with a potential longer term reduction in resources used throughout the supply chain to produce it.

Reduction in food waste landfilled, and Reduction in food waste incinerated

Measures to avoid food waste as well as actions to move food up the waste hierarchy aim to prioritise redistribution to humans or animal feed, and then to use waste as an input for bioprocessing. Recycling food waste through anaerobic digestion is viewed as the last resort, and this package aims to avoid incineration and landfill of food at all costs.

There are therefore two drivers that are expected to reduce the quantity of food waste in the residual waste stream: an overall decrease in volumes of food wasted coupled with a decrease in the proportion of food waste arisings destined for landfill or energy recovery.

Possible decrease in demand for fertilisers and peat-based compost.

Depending on the net impact of the measures in this package on levels of food waste recycling, there may be a change in the availability of compost and digestate produced from this waste stream. In turn, this may have an impact on the subsequent demand for compost and fertilisers from other sources, such as peat-based compost and inorganic fertilisers. In the UK, it is estimated that 55% of horticultural growing media is peat-based^[100].

It is possible that a combination of actions to move food up the waste hierarchy (and out of the residual waste stream) alongside increased awareness of food waste resulting from behaviour change campaigns, waste reduction support, and improved reporting will result in an increase in food waste collected for recycling and composting.

A reduction in food waste generation could in turn reduce the amount of (edible) food waste being recycled into compost and fertilisers. However, interventions driving food up the waste hierarchy will mean maximising recycling of unavoidable or inedible food waste. Thus, an upper bound could be realised for the levels of food waste available for recycling. This may be supplemented by increased recycling of co-products and by-products in instances where composting or anaerobic digestion is deemed the optimal use for these products.

It is, therefore, likely that the net impact of this package will be increased availability of compost and digestate derived from organic waste, though the extent to which these products will reduce demand for virgin or inorganic alternatives is uncertain.

Possible decrease in demand for fossil-based fuels

Depending on the net impact of the measures in this package on levels of food waste treated by anaerobic digestion, there may be a change in the availability of biogas produced from this waste stream. In turn, this may have an impact on the subsequent demand for fossil-based alternatives such as diesel and natural gas.

It is possible that a combination of increased awareness of food waste resulting from behaviour change-based interventions or campaigns, waste reduction support, and improved reporting with actions to move food up the waste hierarchy and out of the residual waste stream will result in an increase in food waste collected for AD treatment. This would result in an increase in availability of biogas and digestate outputs from organic waste facilities, and a subsequent likely fall in demand for alternative composts.

There is also likely to be a reduction in fossil fuel requirements throughout the food supply chain to produce, process, and transport food that is ultimately wasted.

The extent to which these outcomes will directly impact national fossil fuel demand in Scotland is uncertain.

Reduction in demand for raw materials

For example, petrochemicals, protein for animal feed, grain for drinks production, paint thickener.

Scotland’s bioeconomy produces more than 10 million tonnes of organic surplus every year which could be used as valuable feedstocks for many bio-based processes such as the production of food, animal feed ingredients, and bio-based materials that can substitute petrochemical based materials.^[101]

Actions to move food up the waste hierarchy and support for businesses to engage with the circular bioeconomy will enable increased quantities of reuse of by-products from the manufacturing of products such as beer, whisky, and fish. This in turn will reduce the demand for virgin alternatives. The materials in question will depend on the specific by-products and their uses, but may include animal feeds and ingredients.

Support given to businesses to engage with the circular bioeconomy should be designed to incentivise the optimal route for by-products and co-products. There is evidence^[102] of animal feed being imported from the rest of the UK and abroad due to renewable energy incentives driving food waste producers to send by-products to anaerobic digestion instead of livestock farmers. Consideration should be taken on how to balance incentives to ensure organic waste and by-products are distributed in a way that maximises their value and reduces virgin material demand.

4.2.2 Biodiversity, flora, and fauna

SEA Assessment questions for biodiversity, flora, and fauna:

Will the plan avoid adverse impacts to habitats and species?
Will it protect, maintain, and enhance biodiversity?

The food system is closely associated with biodiversity. Overall, the measures within this package may avoid adverse impacts to habitats and species through a reduction in habitat disruption caused at various stages in the food supply chain from farming to disposal. While addressing food waste itself will not directly improve biodiversity, the impact of making the food system more efficient and less wasteful should ensure that land that could be turned over to wildlife habitats is not used to produce food that is ultimately wasted.

There is uncertainty around the impacts of this package on availability of compost, biogas, and digestate derived from food waste and their subsequent environmental impacts. However, a reduction in overall levels of wasted food combined with a decrease in food waste sent to landfill or incineration mean the overall effects of this package are likely to help protect, maintain, and enhance biodiversity in the long term.

Package outcomes relevant to biodiversity, flora, and fauna and their likely impacts are discussed below.

Reduction in production, processing, and transport of wasted food

SEA Impact: +/?

Large areas of land are required for food production and manufacture: 75% of Scotland’s land is used for agriculture^[103]. In some cases, this can result in habitat disruption and increased risk of contamination to nearby habitats e.g. due to surface run-off and soil erosion from agriculture.

Fertilisers and pesticides used in food production are also likely to have a negative impact on biodiversity: nitrogen deposition, of which agricultural activities are the dominant source, has been projected to be one of the three major global pressures on biodiversity between 2000 and 2100^[104].

A reduction in unnecessary production of biomass and food which is ultimately wasted may reduce the extent of these negative effects on habitats and species surrounding agricultural land.

However, on a national scale, it is unknown whether a reduction in the production of food which is ultimately wasted will cause a decline in the amount of food produced, and consequently reduce risks to habitats and species.

Reduction in food waste sent to landfill

SEA Impact: +

Habitats in and around bodies of water such as streams, ponds, lakes, and surrounding soils nearby to landfill sites can become polluted by leachate from landfills. A reduction in levels of waste disposal in landfill will lead to lower impacts on habitats and their resident species at a local level.

Landfilling organic matter can be a major emitter of GHG emissions. Lower levels of landfill gas production, (methane in particular) will reduce the contribution to climate change and indirectly lessen impacts on species and habitats.

Reduction in food waste incinerated

SEA Impact: +

Incineration of waste is a source of GHG emissions and air pollutants.

Reduced emissions from energy from waste facilities will lower the resultant contribution to climate change and indirectly lessen impacts on species and habitats.

Possible change in demand for fertilisers and compost

SEA Impact: ?

Peat-based compost production contributes to the degradation of Scotland’s peatlands. Healthy peatlands are an internationally important wildlife habitat^[105] and Scottish peatlands are a significant carbon sink, estimated to store up to 140 times Scotland's annual carbon footprint^[106].

A reduction in extraction of peat for horticultural uses is likely to have a positive impact on biodiversity through limiting habitat destruction and climate change impacts.

Fertiliser production and pollution from inorganic fertilisers also pose a threat to habitats and species, for example through nitrogen deposition and emissions of greenhouse gases and pollutants from energy-intensive production processes.

A reduction in demand for fertiliser production will lower the resultant pollution and contribution to climate change and lessen impacts on species and habitats.

A reduction in availability of alternatives derived from organic waste would have the reverse effects.

Possible change in demand for fossil fuels

SEA Impact: ?

A change in demand for fossil fuels will impact biodiversity indirectly through its effect on climatic factors and resultant contribution to climate change.

Reduced fossil fuel extraction will result in a lower impact on nearby habitats and biodiversity. A reduction in availability of alternative fuels driving up fossil fuel demand would have the reverse effect.

Decrease in demand for virgin raw materials

SEA Impact: +

The production or import of virgin materials and feedstocks may have negative impacts on biodiversity due to increased pollution, disruption to habitats, and climate change impacts of GHG emissions associated with production.

A decline in production of materials due to replacement by circular alternatives is likely to lead to lower impacts on habitats and species in regions where these materials are harvested/extracted and processed.

4.2.3 Population and Human Health

SEA Assessment questions for population and human health:

Will the plan reduce the health gap and inequalities and improve healthy life expectancy?
Will it protect and improve human health and wellbeing through improving the quality of the living environment of people and communities?
Will it increase sustainable access to essential services, employment, and the natural and historic environment?

Reducing food waste through behaviour change, redistribution, and better connecting the circular bioeconomy is expected to have a positive impact on human health and the population. Redistribution efforts will reduce inequalities by providing surplus food free of charge to those in need in a dignified, inclusive, and accessible manner. Financial wellbeing of householders may also improve as a result of cost savings from waste reduction. Nuisance and pollution resulting from the production and disposal of food which is wasted may also be reduced as a result of this package, with a subsequent positive impact on human health.

Package outcomes relevant to population and human health and their likely impacts are discussed below.

Increased availability of surplus food in communities in the short-medium term

SEA Impact: +

Access to surplus food free of charge or at low prices could contribute to improved health and wellbeing in communities and could play a minor role in reducing health inequality on a local level. However, long term impacts of food waste reduction initiatives on levels of food surplus are not known, and surplus food redistribution should not be relied upon as a lever to address food poverty.

Reduction in production, processing, and transport of wasted food

SEA Impact: +

The financial cost of buying food which was ultimately thrown away was estimated to be £1.1 billion a year in 2016, an average of £460 per household^[107]. There will be financial benefits on a household level if individuals make cost savings as a result of waste-saving behaviours encouraged and enabled by the behaviour change strategy and wider support within this package.

Air pollution is one of the largest environmental risks to public health in the UK^[108]. Unnecessary food production contributes to this issue, as discussed under environmental topic "Air”. Any reductions in food production due to measures targeted at minimising waste will have a positive impact on human health through improvements to air quality.

However, on a national scale, it is unknown whether a reduction in the production of food which is ultimately wasted will cause a decline in the amount of food/biomass produced, and consequently reduce air pollution and related human health impacts.

Reduction in food waste sent to landfill

SEA Impact: +

Nuisance caused by landfill sites on a local level is likely to be in the form of odour, noise, increased traffic, and vermin. Organic waste in particular can contribute to odour and vermin issues.

If lower volumes of food waste are destined for landfill due to the measures proposed in this package, a reduced negative impact on wellbeing the wellbeing of nearby residents is likely.

Reduction in food waste incinerated

SEA Impact: +/?

Pollution from EfW plants may have a negative impact on the health and wellbeing of nearby residents, and there is scope for further research into potential negative mental and psychological impacts of living close to an incinerator.^[110] Measures targeted at reducing residual waste destined for incineration may therefore have a positive impact on nearby residents.

However, the risk to human health associated with newer incinerators operated within the current regulations, which are based on a precautionary approach, is likely to be minimal and very difficult to detect^[111]. Therefore, health impacts of a reduction in waste incinerated are expected to be minor.

Possible change in demand for fertilisers and compost

SEA Impact: ?

Fertilisers are a significant source of nitrogen pollution. In 2011, the European Nitrogen Assessment^[112] estimated the annual nitrogen related damage in EU-27 to be equivalent to a cost of €70–€320 billion per year, or €150–€750 per person, of which 60% is related to human health.

Peatlands play a role in reducing the risk of flooding by regulating run-off and maintaining base flows in upland streams during dry spells^[113]

A reduction in fertiliser production and extraction of peat for horticultural uses is likely to have a positive impact on the population through reducing pollution and preserving peatlands and the benefits they bring. A reduction in availability of alternatives derived from organic waste would have the reverse effects.

4.2.4 Soil

SEA Assessment questions for soil:

Will the plan safeguard and improve soil quality, quantity and function in Scotland, particularly high value agricultural land and carbon-rich soils?

The food system is closely associated with land use and soils. Overall, the measures within this package may avoid adverse impacts to soil quality and function through a reduction in pollution caused at various stages in the food supply chain from farming to disposal. While addressing food waste itself will not directly improve soil function, the impact of making the food system more efficient and less wasteful should minimise the extent to which soils are contaminated, eroded, and polluted to produce food which is ultimately wasted.

There is uncertainty around the impacts of this package on availability of compost, biogas, and digestate derived from food waste. There may be a knock-on impact on soil health and the preservation of carbon-rich soils and peatlands from any changes in demand for compost and soil improvers.

Package outcomes relevant to soil and their likely impacts are discussed below.

Reduction in production, processing, and transport of wasted food

SEA Impact: +/?

Large areas of land are required for food production and manufacture: 75% of Scotland’s land is used for agriculture^[114]. In some cases, this can result in soil degradation and contamination e.g. due to surface run-off and erosion. In particular, intensive agriculture has been linked to a decline in soil health and productivity.^[115]

A reduction in unnecessary food production may reduce the extent of these negative effects. However, on a national scale, it is unknown whether a reduction in the production of food which is ultimately wasted will cause a decline in the amount of food/biomass produced, and consequently reduce risks to soils.

Reduction in food waste sent to landfill

SEA Impact: +

Leachate from landfill sites can contaminate soils in the surrounding area. A reduction in volumes of material disposed of via landfill will lessen the impact on soil quality in the long term.

Reduction in food waste incinerated

SEA Impact: +

Soils near incinerators may become polluted, and any negative impacts on soils will be reduced as a result of a decrease in waste sent to incinerators or energy from waste facilities.

Possible change in demand for fertilisers and compost

SEA Impact: ?

Extraction of peat for horticultural use has a major impact on peatlands, both by stripping away living layers of peat and exposing large quantities to oxidation and loss of carbon. Neighbouring areas of bog can also become degraded as a result of the lowered water table^[116].

An increase in availability of alternative sources of compost may reduce the requirement for commercial peat extraction and therefore lessen the negative ecological impacts. A reduction in availability of alternatives derived from organic waste would have the reverse effects.

Reduced production of virgin materials

SEA Impact: +

Production of raw materials often has significant land use requirements and processes may be disruptive to soils in the area. There is also a risk of material and chemical pollution resulting from these processes.

4.2.5 Water

SEA Assessment questions for water:

Will the plan ensure the sustainable use of water resources?
Will it help to reduce levels of water pollution?

Overall, the measures within this package may reduce water pollution and prevent water-intensive processes being used to produce food which is ultimately wasted. The impact of making the food system more efficient and less wasteful should minimise the extent to which water is wasted and bodies of water are polluted as a result of producing food which is ultimately wasted.

Package outcomes relevant to water and their likely impacts are discussed below.

Reduction in production, processing, and transport of wasted food

SEA Impact: +/?

Food production and processing requires significant volumes of water. By reducing the production of food which is ultimately wasted, unnecessary water use can, in turn, be reduced.

Chemicals used in agricultural processes i.e. pesticides and fertilisers can also have a detrimental effect on nearby bodies of water. For example, a single site under the "Animal and vegetable products from the food and beverage sector" was responsible for 1,975 tonnes of ammonia pollution to water above reporting threshold in 2021, 19.1% of the total across all regulated sites.^[117]

Measures resulting in a decrease in unnecessary food production and processing may in turn lessen the associated impact on water quality. However, on a national scale, it is unknown whether a reduction in the production of food which is ultimately wasted will cause a decline in the amount of food produced, and consequently reduce water use and risks of water pollution.

Reduction in food waste sent to landfill

SEA Impact: +

Leachate from landfill sites can pollute nearby bodies of water. A reduction in volumes of material disposed of via landfill will lessen the impact on water quality in the long term.

A reduced impact on landfill capacity will lessen or delay the longer term requirement for the creation of new sites, thus avoiding an increase in the bodies of water vulnerable to material pollution and leachate from landfill sites.

Reduction in food waste incinerated

SEA Impact: +

Possible change in demand for fertilisers and compost

SEA Impact: ?

Peatlands play a role in improving nearby water quality by reducing the amount of carbon in water, which results in water discolouration and requires extra treatment^[118]. Any reduction in extraction of peat due to improved availability of alternative compost or soil improvers may have an indirect positive impact on water quality in bodies of water in the vicinity of peat bogs.

Decrease in demand for virgin raw materials

SEA Impact: +

There is a risk of water pollution on a local scale due to virgin material extraction processes. For example, fertilisers and pesticides used in agriculture may leak into nearby bodies of water.

However, in a global context, it is unknown whether the fall in demand for virgin materials as a result of this plan will cause a decline in the amount of resources extracted/produced.

4.2.6 Air

SEA Assessment questions for air:

Will the plan avoid adverse impacts to air quality?
Will it reduce emissions of key pollutants and improve air quality throughout Scotland?
Will it reduce levels of nuisance e.g. noise, vibration, dust, odour, and light?

Overall, the measures within this package will avoid adverse impacts to air quality caused by producing and disposing of food which is wasted. There is expected to be a direct reduction in pollutants emitted from the incineration and landfilling of wasted food, and indirect impacts on the pollutants emitted to produce the food in the first place, minimising the extent to which air pollution is caused to produce food which will be wasted.

Package outcomes relevant to air and their likely impacts are discussed below.

Reduction in production, processing, and transport of wasted food

SEA Impact: + / ?

Nitrogen-containing compounds (NO2, NO, NH3, N2O) are emitted to the atmosphere from agricultural activities. For example, ammonia, which is a major contributor to particulate matter formation. Around 90% of ammonia is generated by the agricultural sector.^[119]

Methane and non-methane volatile organic compounds (VOC) are emitted by agriculture, and livestock are a significant source of methane emissions. The pesticides/fungicides hexachlorobenzene, hexachlorocyclohexane and pentachlorophenol, which are listed in the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, are also emitted from agricultural and forestry use.^[120]

A reduction in unnecessary food production and processing is therefore likely to have a positive impact on air quality. However, on a national scale, it is unknown whether a reduction in the production of food which is ultimately wasted will cause a decline in the amount of food produced, and consequently reduce risks of air pollution.

Reduction in food waste sent to landfill

SEA Impact: +

Reducing the amount of organic matter from food waste deposited in landfill will decrease the amount of landfill gas produced at the site^[121]. Several air pollutants are associated with landfill gas production. A reduction in organic waste disposed of via landfill is therefore likely to have a positive impact on air quality. Odour levels will also be reduced if the requirement for additional landfill sites is lessened or delayed from a decrease in residual waste arisings.

Reduction in food waste incinerated

SEA Impact: +

Incineration of waste is linked to air and noise pollution on a local scale, though with current stringent emissions standards, the evidence is that the air quality impacts are likely to be small^[122]. A reduction in volumes of waste disposed of by incineration or energy from waste is likely to have a minor positive impact on air quality.

Possible change in demand for fertilisers and compost

SEA Impact: ?

Fertilisers are a significant source of nitrogen pollution. In 2011, the European Nitrogen Assessment^[123] estimated the annual nitrogen related damage in EU-27 to be equivalent to a cost of €70–€320 billion per year, of which 75% is related to air pollution.

Scottish peatlands play a role in improving air quality by absorbing pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, nitrogen and heavy metals.^[124]

A reduction in peatland disruption resulting from increased availability of alternative growing medium is likely to result in an improvement to air quality.

Possible change in demand for fossil fuels

SEA Impact: ?

Fossil fuels are a significant contributor of airborne pollutants both when they are extracted and when they are burned (as an energy source). A reduction in the demand for fossil fuels should lead to a reduction in air pollution, but the extent of the reduction will depend on global market responses.

Decrease in demand for virgin raw materials

SEA Impact: +

Material production processes and the associated transport and energy use are likely to emit airborne pollutants. The scale and nature of these emissions will depend on the material in question.

A reduction in extraction of virgin materials is therefore likely to result in a reduction in associated airborne pollutants, thus improving air quality on a local scale.

However, in a global context, it is unknown whether the fall in demand for virgin materials as a result of this plan will cause a decline in the amount of resources produced.

4.2.7 Climatic factors

SEA Assessment question for climatic factors:

Will the plan help to reduce existing and avoid new Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions?

Overall, the measures within this package will reduce greenhouse gas emissions caused by the production and disposal of wasted food. There is expected to be a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions associated with: the incineration and/or landfilling of wasted food; producing food which ultimately goes to waste; producing additional food which may be purchased without effective redistribution networks; and producing the virgin materials which would be demanded if alternatives from the circular bioeconomy are not made available.

There is uncertainty around the impacts of this package on availability of compost, biogas, and digestate derived from food waste and their subsequent environmental impacts. However, a reduction in overall levels of wasted food combined with a decrease in food waste sent to landfill or incineration mean the overall effects of this package are likely to help reduce existing and avoid new greenhouse has emissions.

Package outcomes relevant to climatic factors and their likely impacts are discussed below.

Reduction in production, processing, and transport of wasted food

SEA Impact: +/?

Food waste in Scotland accounted for 30% of the GHG emissions of household waste in 2020^[125] of which the majority originates from the emissions during food production, and avoidable food waste generated 1.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2014, 2.1% of Scotland’s total carbon footprint^[126]

By avoiding unnecessary food waste, GHG emissions should fall, assuming the food previously wasted reduces the production of more food. However, on a national scale, it is unknown whether the fall in demand for food production as a result of waste reduction measures in this plan will cause a decline in the amount of food/biomass produced, and consequently reduce GHG emissions. However, even if food production volumes are not immediately impacted, reducing food disposal and moving food waste up the waste hierarchy will have a net positive effect on reducing GHG emissions.

Reduction in food waste sent to landfill

SEA Impact: +

The landfill of waste, in particular organic matter, can be a major emitter of GHG emissions: in 2021, the landfill of household waste accounted for just under 250kt of CO₂e of GHG emissions^[127]. In 2025, the Biodegradable Municipal Waste Landfill Ban will come into effect, causing levels of organic waste in landfill to drop.

The measures in this package will support further reductions in organic waste destined for landfill, and will help drive this waste further up the hierarchy rather than remaining in the residual waste stream By reducing the amount of waste requiring landfill, GHG emissions from landfill sites should also reduce.

Reduction in food waste incinerated

SEA Impact: +

Incineration of food waste produces more greenhouse gas emissions than composting or anaerobic digestion^[128]. Diverting food waste up the hierarchy, or avoiding the waste in the first place, will reduce the climate change impact of this waste stream.

Overall, the reduction in the incineration of waste will avoid new GHG emissions from the incineration process, and these benefits are likely to be greater over time.

Possible change in demand for fertilisers and compost

SEA Impact: ?

Fertiliser production processes are often energy intensive, using fossil fuels such as natural gas and releasing greenhouse gas emissions.

Scottish peatlands are a significant carbon sink, and are estimated to store up to 140 times Scotland's annual carbon footprint^[129]. If peatlands are disturbed e.g. by excavating for horticultural uses, this carbon will be released into the atmosphere as new GHG emissions.

If the demand for fertilisers and peat-based compost falls as a result of an increase in compost from food recycling, then production emissions and the destruction of peatlands and the associated emission of stored carbon can be avoided.

Possible change in demand for fossil fuels

SEA Impact: ?

Fossil fuels are a significant contributor of GHG emissions both when they are extracted and when they are burned as an energy source. A reduction in the demand for fossil fuels resulting from increased availability of biogas as an alternative should lead to a reduction both in their extraction and as an energy source, but the extent of the reduction will depend on global market responses.

Decrease in demand for virgin raw materials

SEA Impact: +

The extraction and production of virgin materials is likely to release significant amounts of GHG. The reduction in the demand of virgin materials should therefore avoid new GHG emissions. The extent of the reduction will depend on the material, as well as the substitution rate of secondary materials for virgin materials. A substitution rate less than one will offset some of the gains of virgin material reduction, but overall GHG emissions, and subsequent impacts on the climate, will be reduced.

4.2.8 Material Assets

SEA Assessment questions for material assets:

Will it reduce use and promote sustainable management of natural resources?
Will it reduce ‘leakage’ of material to landfill or energy recovery or as litter?

Package outcomes relevant to material assets and their likely impacts are discussed below.

It is anticipated that overall, as a result of measures in this package, natural resources used to produce food which is wasted, as well as the packaging it is sold in, will decrease, resulting in lower volumes of organic material and packaging being lost to landfill or energy recovery.

There is uncertainty around the impacts of this package on availability of compost, biogas, and digestate derived from food waste and subsequent changes in demand for alternative materials. However, a reduction in overall levels of wasted food combined with a decrease in food waste sent to landfill or incineration mean the overall effects of this package are likely to help promote sustainable material use and resource management.

Reduction in production, processing, and transport of wasted food

SEA Impact: +/?

The production of food requires significant material input. For example, in 2018, Scotland's farms used 521kt of fertilisers^[130].

By reducing unnecessary food waste, the consumption of resources to produce food may fall. However, on a national scale, it is unknown whether a reduction in the production of food which is ultimately wasted will cause a decline in the amount of food produced, and consequently reduce demand for natural resources.

Reduction in food waste sent to landfill

SEA Impact: +

Increased diversion of material away from the residual waste stream will result in less material leakage to landfill, enabling materials to be kept in use for as long as possible.

Reduction in food waste incinerated

SEA Impact: +

Incineration and energy from waste plants require resources for construction and to continue to run. A reduction in the amount of material incinerated will reduce the requirement for any new incineration plants, which would require construction and other materials.

Furthermore, increased diversion of material away from the residual waste stream will result in less material leakage to energy recovery or landfill, enabling materials to be kept in use for as long as possible.

Possible change in demand for fertilisers and compost

SEA Impact: ?

Resources required to produce fertilisers and growing media will be reduced if availability of alternatives derived from organic waste increases. This could result in a decrease in production of peat-based compost.

Peat is an important resource for storing carbon. Peatlands are virtually non-renewable due to the number of years they take to form. A reduction in the demand for peat should reduce the extraction and destruction of Scottish peat. Decreased availability of alternatives derived from organic waste will have the reverse effect.

Possible change in demand for fossil fuels

SEA Impact: ?

Fossil fuels are a finite resource, of which Scotland extracted 74.5Mt in 2018^[131]. A reduction in the demand for fossil fuels should lead to a reduction in their extraction, but the extent of the reduction will depend on global market responses and will be limited.

Decrease in demand for virgin raw materials

SEA Impact: +

The reduction in the production of virgin materials will reduce extraction rates of raw materials. Additionally, if less material is ultimately extracted, less material will require disposal.

In a global context, it is unknown whether the fall in demand for virgin materials as a result of this plan will cause a global decline in the amount of resources extracted/produced.

4.2.9 Landscape and visual impacts

SEA Assessment questions for landscape and visual impacts:

Will the plan avoid adverse effects on landscapes and visual impacts?
Will it safeguard and enhance the character and diversity of the Scottish landscape and areas of valuable landscape and geodiversity?

Overall, the measures within this package may avoid adverse effects on landscapes and visual impacts through a reduction in land used to produce wasted food throughout the supply chain, from farming to disposal. While addressing food waste itself will not directly impact landscapes, the effect of making the food system more efficient and less wasteful should minimise the extent to which land is used to produce food that is ultimately wasted.

Package outcomes relevant to landscape and visual impacts and their likely impacts are discussed below.

Reduction in production, processing, and transport of wasted food

SEA Impact: +

Large areas of land are required for food production and manufacture: 75% of Scotland’s land is used for agriculture^[132].

To the extent that less land is required for agriculture, landscape impact may be avoided by a reduction in the production of food which is ultimately wasted. However, on a national scale, it is unknown whether a reduction in the production of food which is ultimately wasted will cause a decline in the amount of food produced, and consequently reduce impacts on Scottish landscapes.

Reduction in food waste sent to landfill, and Reduction in food waste incinerated

SEA Impact: +

Landfill and energy from waste facilities are generally considered to be unsightly, both in terms of the sites themselves and in the birds and rodents that may be attracted. A long term reduction in the construction of new landfill or EfW sites may therefore avoid adverse effects on landscapes and visual impacts.

Possible change in demand for fertilisers and compost

SEA Impact: ?

Scottish peatlands cover many areas that are of significant natural beauty and form habitats for wildlife. By preventing the destruction of peatlands through increased availability of alternatives to peat-based compost, existing landscapes and habitats can be preserved and thus avoiding negative visual impacts.

Decrease in demand for virgin raw materials

SEA Impact: +

Virgin material extraction sites are generally considered to be unsightly. Scotland produces approximately 7.5Mt of wood annually^[133]. Reduced felling of trees for biofuel as a result of increased availability of by-product alternatives may enhance landscapes, although the impact is not likely to be significant.

4.3 Embed circular construction practices

4.3.1 Outcomes

Reduced production of virgin materials; Reduced production of new components; Increase in resource use for maintenance and refurbishment; and Reduced production of new components.

Reusing materials (e.g., steel, wood, brick, concrete, masonry, soils, aggregates) and components (e.g., structural steel, woodwork, ironwork, roofing) in other construction projects will fulfil part of the demand for new construction materials and components, thus reducing the demand for virgin materials and for new components. A reduction in the demand for new components will reinforce the reduction in demand for virgin materials.

Reduction in disposal via landfill; and Reduction in disposal via incineration.

By reusing materials and components, fewer materials enter waste management, and thus fewer materials will be landfilled or incinerated.

Increase in resource use from processing of recyclate / storage of materials.

Waste materials from C&D sites destined for recycling will need to be stored before being processed and/or reuse. This may require additional infrastructure to be built to accommodate the amount of material.

Increase in resource use from processing of recyclate.

Transporting material for recycling may lead to an increase in the distances travelled relative to landfill or disposal sites. This will depend on the number and location of sites that are able to process the material. Increased transport distances will lead to increased demand for fossil fuels and an increase in tailpipe emissions from vehicles.

4.3.2 Biodiversity, flora, and fauna

SEA Assessment questions for biodiversity, flora, and fauna:

Will the plan avoid adverse impacts to habitats and species?
Will it protect, maintain, and enhance biodiversity?

The interventions in this package should help to avoid adverse impacts to habitats and species, and help to protect and maintain biodiversity. This will be achieved through a reduction in the need for new virgin materials, particularly those used in the construction industry such as wood and minerals, and through a reduction in the disposal of waste. There will be an increase in resource use required from processing recyclate and maintaining components or preparing them for reuse; this should be considered in future environmental assessments when the specific plans or policies have been developed.

Package outcomes relevant to biodiversity, flora, and fauna and their likely impacts are discussed below.

Reduced production of virgin materials.

SEA Impact: +/?

The extraction of virgin materials may have negative impacts on biodiversity due to increased pollution or disruption / destruction of habitats. A reduction in extraction of virgin materials is likely to lead to lower impacts on habitats and species in regions where materials are extracted and processed. However, in a global context, it is unknown whether the fall in demand for virgin materials as a result of this plan will cause a decline in the amount of resources extracted/produced in Scotland, and consequently reduce risks to habitats and species.

Reduced production of new components.

SEA Impact: +

The processes required to transform raw materials into finished components may have negative impacts on habitats and species. Since some of these processes will be avoided, there may be benefits to biodiversity, flora, and fauna.

Reduction in disposal via landfill

SEA Impact: +

There will be lower impacts on habitats and their resident species nearby to landfill sites at a local level, such as streams, ponds, lakes, and soils which can become polluted by leachate.

Lower levels of landfill gas production, (methane in particular) alongside reduced emissions from energy from waste facilities will contribute to climate change and indirectly lessen impacts on species and habitats. At a global level, these impacts are not likely to be significant.

The reduced impact on landfill capacity will lessen the longer-term requirement for the creation of new landfill sites and the corresponding clearance of wild areas. This in turn will reduce the number of habitats being lost or degraded to create new landfill sites.

Reduction in disposal via incineration

SEA Impact: +

Incineration of waste is a source of GHG emissions and air pollutants. Reduced emissions from energy from waste facilities will lower the resultant contribution to climate change and indirectly lessen impacts on species and habitats.

Increased resource use from processing of recyclate

SEA Impact: -/?

Recycling processes require additional energy and other inputs, the production of which may have biodiversity impacts. This may offset to some extent the overall reduction in impacts anticipated by the reduced demand for virgin materials.

Increase in resources used for maintenance and refurbishment

SEA Impact: -/?

The maintenance and refurbishment of buildings and components will require additional resources. The production of these resources may have a negative impact on biodiversity, habitats, flora, and fauna, depending on the type of resources required. This may offset to some extent the overall reduction in impacts that are anticipated by reduced demand for virgin materials and components.

4.3.3 Population and human health

SEA Assessment questions for population and human health:

Will the plan reduce the health gap and inequalities and improve healthy life expectancy?
Will it protect and improve human health and wellbeing through improving the quality of the living environment of people and communities?
Will it increase sustainable access to essential services, employment, and the natural and historic environment?

The interventions in this package should help to improve health outcomes and wellbeing, and may lead to a rise in sustainable jobs. The reduction in disposal via both landfill and incineration will help to reduce negative impacts to wellbeing such as odour and noise, and will reduce negative health impacts through lower air pollution. The impact on jobs is not known at this stage and will depend on wider economic dynamics at a national and global level.

Reduced production of virgin materials.

SEA Impact: ?

In 2020, 62,900 people were employed in Scotland’s mining and quarrying industry (2.4%)^[134]. There may be impacts on employment in material extraction as a result of a reduced demand for virgin materials.

However, in a global context, it is unknown whether the fall in demand for virgin materials as a result of this plan will cause a decline in the amount of resources extracted/produced, and therefore how many jobs may be at risk.

Any negative impacts on employment in virgin material extraction industries may be offset by increased opportunities for green jobs e.g., recycling facilities - aligning with the Just Transition.

Reduced production of new components.

SEA Impact: ?

In 2020, 182,100 people were employed in the manufacturing industry in Scotland (7.0% of all people aged 16+ in employment)^[135].

There may be impacts on employment in product manufacturing sector, though effects are likely to be offset by increased opportunities for green jobs e.g. Re-manufacture, repair etc. - aligning with the Just Transition to green jobs.

Reduction in disposal via landfill.

SEA Impact: +

Nuisance caused by C&D waste disposed of at landfill sites is likely to be in the form of noise, traffic, associated pollution, and their general aesthetic.

If lower volumes of waste are destined for landfill due to the measures proposed in the Route Map, a reduced negative impact on wellbeing the wellbeing of nearby residents is likely.

Reduction in disposal via incineration

SEA Impact: +/?

Pollution from EfW plants may have a negative impact on the health and wellbeing of nearby residents, and there is scope for further research into potential negative mental and psychological impacts of living close to an incinerator.^[137]. Measures targeted at reducing residual waste destined for incineration may therefore have a positive impact on nearby residents.

However, the risk to human health associated with newer incinerators operated within the current regulations, which are based on a precautionary approach, is likely to be minimal and very difficult to detect^[138]. Therefore, health impacts of a reduction in waste incinerated are expected to be minor.

4.3.4 Soil

SEA Assessment questions for soil:

Will the plan safeguard and improve soil quality, quantity and function in Scotland, particularly high value agricultural land and carbon-rich soils?

The interventions in this package should help to safeguard and improve soil quality and quantity in Scotland, due to a reduction in the extraction of materials that would otherwise disturb soils, and reduced leachate from landfill sites. An increase in recycling and storage of materials and components may have adverse impacts on soils; however, assuming alignment with Policy 12 of the National Planning Framework (NPF4), impacts on soil should be minimal.

Reduced production of virgin materials.

SEA Impact: +/?

A reduction in virgin material extraction will lead to a reduction in the levels of associated soil disruption e.g. through reduced extraction of topsoil and reduced need for aggregates or other minerals. There may also be a decrease in the level of pollutants produced from virgin material extraction which could negatively impact the quality of nearby soils.

However, in a global context, it is unknown whether the fall in demand for virgin materials as a result of this plan will cause a decline in the amount of resources extracted/produced in Scotland.

Reduced production of new components.

SEA Impact: +

Pollutants from manufacturing facilities may leak into the surrounding area, resulting in a risk of soil degradation on a local scale.

There may be a decrease in the level of pollutants produced from manufacturing plants which in turn could improve the quality of nearby soils.

Reduction in disposal via landfill.

SEA Impact: +

Leachate from landfill sites can contaminate soils in the surrounding area. A reduction in volumes of material disposed of via landfill will lessen the impact on soil quality in the long term. A reduced impact on landfill capacity will lessen or delay the longer term requirement for the creation of new sites, thus avoiding an increase in areas of soil vulnerable to material pollution and leachate from landfill sites. However, soil pollution may still occur if C&D waste that is recycled as backfill is contaminated.

Reduction in disposal via incineration

SEA Impact: +

Soils near incinerators may become polluted, and any negative impacts on soils will be reduced as a result of a decrease in waste sent to incinerators or energy from waste facilities.

Increased resource use and pollution from processing of recyclate / storage of materials.

SEA Impact: -/?

Pollution from recycling and/or storage facilities into nearby soils is possible and should be considered in environmental assessments of any (new) recycling facilities. Assuming alignment with Policy 12 of the National Planning Framework (NPF4), these impacts will be minimal.

4.3.5 Water

SEA Assessment questions for water:

Will the plan ensure the sustainable use of water resources?
Will it help to reduce levels of water pollution?

This package is likely to ensure the sustainable use of water resources through a reduction in the demand for virgin materials; however, an increase in recycling will offset some of this reduction. The package will help to reduce levels of water pollution thanks to a reduction in the demand for virgin materials (e.g., wood) and a reduction in landfill, which will in-turn reduce the chance of soil pollution and contamination from leachate. However, care should be taken that the increased levels of recycling will not lead to an increase in water pollution. These potential impacts should be considered in future environmental assessments of new recycling facilities, and suitable mitigation should be described; assuming alignment with Policy 12 of NPF4, these impacts will be minimal.

Package outcomes relevant to water and their likely impacts are discussed below.

Reduced production of virgin materials.

SEA Impact: +/?

There is a risk of water pollution on a local scale due to virgin material extraction processes. For example, Scotland produces approximately 7.5Mt of wood per annum^[139]. Fertilisers and pesticides associated with timber production may leak into nearby bodies of water.

However, in a global context, it is unknown whether the fall in demand for virgin materials as a result of this plan will cause a decline in the amount of resources extracted/produced in Scotland.

Reduced production of new components.

SEA Impact: +

The manufacturing processes of construction industry products and components, such as concrete, steel, glass, plastics, etc. require large amounts of water^[140]. Additionally, pollutants from manufacturing facilities may leak into nearby bodies of water, resulting in a risk of increased water pollution.

Reduction in disposal via landfill.

SEA Impact: +

Reduction in disposal via incineration

SEA Impact: +

Increased resource use from processing of recyclate / storage of materials.

SEA Impact: -/?

Some recycling processes require water, so an increase in recycling is likely to increase associated water use. However, the use of secondary materials is likely to reduce water use associated with virgin material production, assuming the outputs of recycling activity offset or delay the need for virgin materials.

The storage of materials could lead to increased water pollution if the materials are not adequately protected from the environment. Environmental assessments of any (new) facilities should account for this potential. Assuming alignment with Policy 12 of NPF4, these impacts will be minimal.

Increase in resources used for maintenance and refurbishment.

SEA Impact: -/?

Maintaining and cleaning reused components will require water use. An increase in the reuse of components and other construction products may therefore result in an increase in water use.

4.3.6 Air

SEA Assessment questions for air:

Will the plan avoid adverse impacts to air quality?
Will it reduce emissions of key pollutants and improve air quality throughout Scotland?
Will it reduce levels of nuisance e.g. noise, vibration, dust, odour, and light?

The interventions in this package should avoid adverse impacts to air quality. The reduction of virgin material production caused by increased recycling should help to reduce the emissions of key pollutants (such as sulphur oxides and PM10); similarly, the reuse of components should help to reduce emissions from the manufacturing industry. There is the potential for the increase in recycling to lead to increased pollution; this should be considered in future environmental assessments of (new) recycling facilities; assuming alignment with Policy 12 of NPF4, these impacts should be minimal.

Package outcomes relevant to air and their likely impacts are discussed below.

Reduced production of virgin materials

SEA Impact: +/?

Material extraction processes, as well as transport and energy, emit airborne pollutants. For example, the Scottish mineral industry emitted 1kt of sulphur oxides, while the production and processing of metals in Scotland emitted almost 0.5kt of sulphur oxides in 2021, a combined 44% of the total sulphur emissions from SEPA regulated industrial sites in Scotland. Similarly, these two industries emitted 50% of all PM10 emissions from these sites in 2021^[141].

A reduction in extraction of virgin materials may result in a reduction in these and associated airborne pollutants, thus improving air quality on a local scale. There may also be a decrease in the level of noise and nuisance associated with virgin material extraction.

However, in a global context, it is unknown whether the fall in demand for virgin materials as a result of this plan will cause a decline in the amount of materials extracted/produced in Scotland.

Reduced production of new components

SEA Impact: +

Manufacturing processes are often responsible for the emission of airborne pollutants. For example, one SEPA regulated industrial site under the category “Paper and wood production and processing” was responsible for 64 tonnes of particulate matter pollution to air above reporting threshold in 2021, 15.2% of the total across all regulated sites^[142].

Reduction in disposal via landfill

SEA Impact: +

Most C&D waste entering landfill has a low biodegradable content and is therefore unlikely to produce significant amounts of landfill gas. The reduction in volumes of material being transport to landfill will help to reduce tailpipe emissions from vehicles and therefore indirectly avoid some air pollution.

Reduction in disposal via incineration

SEA Impact: +

Incineration of waste is linked to air and noise pollution on a local scale, though with current stringent emissions standards, the evidence is that the air quality impacts are likely to be small^[143]. A reduction in volumes of waste disposed of by incineration or energy from waste is likely to have a minor positive impact on air quality.

Increased resource use from processing of recyclate

SEA Impact: -/?

Some recycling processes may contribute to air pollution, though the use of the secondary materials will likely reduce air pollution at the aggregate, assuming the outputs from recycling offset or delay the need for virgin materials.

4.3.7 Climatic factors

SEA Assessment questions for climatic factors:

Will the plan help to reduce existing and avoid new Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions?

The interventions in this package should help to avoid new GHG emissions. A reduction in the production of virgin materials should help to avoid GHG emissions, e.g, from the mineral industry; similarly, reusing components and materials will avoid GHG emissions from the manufacturing industry. However, the processing of recyclate and the maintenance of reusable components / materials will require resources and cause emissions which may offset some of these reductions; this should be considered in future environmental assessments when more details of the specific interventions are known. Assuming alignment with Policy 12 of NPF 4, any impacts on GHG emissions from new facilities should be minimal.

Package outcomes relevant to climatic factors and their likely impacts are discussed below.

Reduced production of virgin materials.

SEA Impact: +

The extraction and production of virgin materials is likely to release significant amounts of GHG. For example, in 2021, CO₂emissions from the mineral industry amounted to 716kt, 7% of the total CO₂ emissions from SEPA regulated industrial sites^[144]. It should be noted that extraction and production of virgin materials (and the related emissions) will often occur in other countries, though this assessment focuses on impacts within Scotland.

The reduction in the demand of virgin materials should therefore avoid new GHG emissions. The extent of the reduction will depend on the material, as well as the substitution rate of secondary materials for virgin materials (i.e., does the production of 1 kg of secondary steel reduce the demand for virgin steel by 1kg.). A substitution rate less than one will offset some of the gains of virgin material reduction, but overall GHG emissions, and subsequent impacts on the climate, will be reduced.

Reduced production of new components.

SEA Impact: +

The production of new components or products requires energy and resources that will emit GHGs. Thus, the reduction in the number of components or products produced will help to avoid new GHG emissions. The amount avoided will be dependent on the products and components in question, as well as the substitution rate of reused products / components for new components.

Reduction in disposal via landfill

SEA Impact: +

The landfill of waste, in particular organic matter, can be a major emitter of GHG emissions. By reducing the amount of waste requiring landfill, GHG emissions from landfill sites should also reduce.

Reduction in disposal via incineration

SEA Impact: +

The IPCC estimates that every tonne of waste incinerated releases 0.7-1.2 tCO₂e^[145]^[146], and energy from waste contributed 0.3MtCO₂e to Scotland’s total greenhouse gas emissions in 2021^[147]. As energy switches to renewable or lower carbon sources, the benefits of energy from waste will fall. Overall, a reduction in the incineration of waste will avoid new GHG emissions from the incineration process, and these benefits are likely to be greater over time.

Increased resource use from processing of recyclate

SEA Impact: -/?

The processing of recyclate into secondary materials requires energy and material resources, both of which will result in GHG emissions. For example, recycling steel in an EAF plant omits 0.55 kg of CO₂e per kg of secondary steel (GWP 100)^[148]. However, the use of secondary materials will likely reduce emissions at the aggregate, assuming these offset or delay the need for virgin materials.

Assuming alignment with Policy 12 of NPF 4, any impacts on GHG emissions from new facilities should be minimal.

Increase in resources used for maintenance and refurbishment

SEA Impact: -/?

Maintaining components and construction products to a certain standard may require both energy and new materials. There will therefore likely be some additional emissions associated with the resources required to maintain products. Product reuse will likely reduce emissions at the aggregate, however, assuming product reuse offsets or delays the need for new products.

4.3.8 Material Assets

SEA Assessment questions for material assets:

Will it reduce use and promote sustainable management of natural resources?
Will it reduce ‘leakage’ of material to landfill or energy recovery or as litter?

These interventions should help to reduce the extraction of natural resources in Scotland, such as stone, aggregate, soils, and timber. A focus on diversion from disposal to recycling and reuse should help to reduce the pressure on natural resources, assuming that these materials and components can offset the production of virgin materials. An increase in recycling and reuse will require resources, and this should be considered in future environmental assessments when more details of the specific interventions are known.

Package outcomes relevant to material assets and their likely impacts are discussed below.

Reduced production of virgin materials

SEA Impact: +

Virgin material extraction depletes non-renewable stocks of natural resources In 2018, approximately 21Mt of stone was extracted for building or ornamental purposes in Scotland, while Scotland produces approximately 7.5Mt of wood annually^[149]. The reduction in the production of virgin materials (caused by increased recycling and reuse) will reduce extraction rates of raw materials. Additionally, if less material is ultimately extracted, less material will require disposal.

Reduced production of new components

SEA Impact: +

The production of new components/products will require materials, both virgin and secondary materials. Avoiding the production of new components/products will help to reduce pressures on resource consumption and promote the sustainable management of natural resources.

Reduction in disposal via landfill

SEA Impact: +

Increased diversion of material away from the residual waste stream will result in less material leakage to landfill, enabling materials to be kept in use for as long as possible.

Reduction in disposal via incineration

SEA Impact: +

Additionally, increased diversion of material away from the residual waste stream will result in less material leakage to energy recovery or landfill, enabling materials to be kept in use for as long as possible.

Increased resource use from processing of recyclate

SEA Impact: -/?

The processing of recyclate into secondary materials requires energy and may require virgin materials as input. The use of secondary materials will likely reduce material consumption at the aggregate, however, assuming these offset or delay the need for virgin materials.

Increase in resources used for maintenance and refurbishment

SEA Impact: -/?

The repair and refurbishment of existing products will require some materials to maintain products to a certain standard. However, product reuse will likely reduce material and resource consumption at the aggregate, assuming product reuse offsets or delays the need for new products, the production of which would require more/additional materials and resources. The extent of the reduction will depend on the extent to which reused products substitute new products.

4.3.9 Landscape and visual impacts

SEA Assessment questions for landscape and visual impacts:

Will the plan avoid adverse effects on landscapes and visual impacts?
Will it safeguard and enhance the character and diversity of the Scottish landscape and areas of valuable landscape and geodiversity?

The interventions in this package should help to avoid adverse effects on landscapes and safeguard the character and diversity of Scottish landscape, particularly in the locations where there is material extraction (for soil, aggregates, stones, wood, etc.). However, new facilities may be required to store materials and components that are taken offsite for reuse; this should be considered in future environmental assessments of (new) facilities. Assuming alignment with Policy 12 of NPF4, these impacts should be minimal.

Package outcomes relevant to landscape and visual impacts and their likely impacts are discussed below.

Reduced production of virgin materials

SEA Impact: +

In Scotland, approximately 21Mt of stone were extracted in 2018^[150], and approximately 7.5Mt of wood. Virgin material extraction sites, such as mines, are generally considered to be unsightly. A reduction in the demand for virgin materials such as stone may prevent new mines from being opened, thereby avoiding adverse effect on landscapes. Reduced felling of trees may also enhance landscapes.

Reduction in disposal via landfill

SEA Impact: +

Landfill sites are generally considered to be unsightly, both in terms of the sites themselves and in the birds and rodents that are attracted to the sites. A reduction in the construction of new landfill sites will therefore avoid adverse effects on landscapes and visual impacts.

Reduction in disposal via incineration

SEA Impact: +

The generation of smoke from incineration plants is an eye sore, in addition to the plants themselves. A reduction in the construction of new incineration sites, or a reduction in the volume of material disposed via incineration should reduce these impacts.

Increased resource use from storage of materials, components, soils, stones, etc

SEA Impact: -/?

Material that is taken offsite to be reused will need to be stored. In the case of soils and stones, the storage of these items may require large sites that could have an adverse impact on landscapes. This should be considered in future environmental assessments of such facilities. Assuming alignment with Policy 12 of the National Planning Framework (NPF4), these impacts will be minimal.

4.3.10 Cultural heritage

SEA assessment questions for cultural heritage:

Will the plan avoid adverse impacts on the historic environment including its setting?
Will the plan protect and enhance valued landscapes, historic and archaeological sites and other culturally and historically important features, landscapes and their settings?
Will the plan encourage the retention, reuse and repair of historic environment assets and materials?

The interventions in this package that focus on reuse of components should encourage the retention, reuse and repair of historic environment important features. Additionally, the interventions in this package may help to protect and enhance valued landscapes. However, future environmental assessments should consider possible adverse impacts to valued landscapes as a result of any new facilities required for storage of materials taken off-site for reuse.

Reduced production of new components.

SEA Impact: +

A focus on maintaining existing building components and materials should preserve buildings with historical significance, reducing adverse impacts to their character compared to using new components or materials.

Contact

Email: ceroutemap@gov.scot

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Information

4 Reduce and reuse

4.1 Promote responsible production, consumption, and reuse

4.1.1 Outcomes

Likely decrease in demand for virgin materials

Decrease in requirement for manufacturing of components and products

Promotion of circular economy

Increase in resource use for maintenance of reusable products

Increased revenue from charges

Decrease in disposal of materials via landfill or incineration

Decrease in litter and flytipping

4.1.2 Biodiversity, flora, and fauna

Reduction and/or material shift in extraction of raw materials

Reduced manufacture of products and components

Decrease in disposal of material via landfill

Decrease in disposal of material by incineration

Reduced levels of litter and flytipping

4.1.3 Population and Human Health

Reduction and/or material shift in extraction of raw materials, and Reduced manufacture of products and component

Increased revenue from environmental charges.

Decrease in disposal of material via landfill

Decrease in disposal of material by incineration

4.1.4 Soil

Reduction and/or material shift in extraction of raw materials

Reduced manufacture of products and components

Decrease in disposal of material via landfill

Decrease in disposal of material by incineration

4.1.5 Water

Reduction and/or material shift in extraction of raw materials

Reduced manufacture of products and components

Increased requirement for resources to clean/ maintain reusable items

Decrease in disposal of material via landfill

Decrease in disposal of material by incineration

4.1.6 Air

Reduction and/or material shift in extraction of raw materials

Reduced manufacture of products and components

Lower volumes of waste disposed of via landfill

Lower volumes of waste disposed of by incineration

4.1.7 Climatic factors

Reduction and/or material shift in extraction of raw materials

Reduced manufacture of products and components

Increased requirement for resources to clean/ maintain reusable items

Lower volumes of waste disposed of via landfill

Lower volumes of waste disposed of by incineration

4.1.8 Material Assets

Reduction and/or material shift in extraction of raw materials , and Reduced manufacture of products and components

Lower volumes of waste disposed of via landfill, and Lower volumes of waste disposed of by incineration

Reduced levels of litter and flytipping

4.1.9 Landscape and visual impacts

Reduction and/or material shift in extraction of raw materials

Lower volumes of waste disposed of via landfill, and Lower volumes of waste disposed of by incineration

Reduced levels of litter and flytipping

4.2 Reduce food waste

4.2.1 Outcomes

Increased availability of surplus food in communities in the short-medium term.

Possible reduction in resources used to produce wasted food

Reduction in food waste landfilled, and Reduction in food waste incinerated

Possible decrease in demand for fertilisers and peat-based compost.

Possible decrease in demand for fossil-based fuels

Reduction in demand for raw materials

4.2.2 Biodiversity, flora, and fauna

Reduction in production, processing, and transport of wasted food

Reduction in food waste sent to landfill

Reduction in food waste incinerated

Possible change in demand for fertilisers and compost

Possible change in demand for fossil fuels

Decrease in demand for virgin raw materials

4.2.3 Population and Human Health

Increased availability of surplus food in communities in the short-medium term

Reduction in production, processing, and transport of wasted food

Reduction in food waste sent to landfill

Reduction in food waste incinerated

Possible change in demand for fertilisers and compost

4.2.4 Soil

Reduction in production, processing, and transport of wasted food

Reduction in food waste sent to landfill

Reduction in food waste incinerated

Possible change in demand for fertilisers and compost

Reduced production of virgin materials

4.2.5 Water