Reduce and reuse
Reduce and reuse are key to lowering environmental impact by preventing waste and keeping materials in use for longer.
We are carrying out the following actions:
Producer responsibility
We are working with the UK Government and devolved governments to introduce policies that make producers responsible for the waste their products create.
These actions include:
- launching a Deposit Return Scheme for drinks containers in October 2027
- introducing UK-wide Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging (pEPR), requiring producers to cover the costs of managing packaging waste
- ongoing reform to batteries and electronics extended producer responsibility regulations
- development of a Product Stewardship Plan in 2026 to set out our planned actions
Reducing single-use products
We are taking action to discourage single-use materials and promote reuse.
Measures include:
- action on single-use plastics, including measures to reduce commonly littered items and support more sustainable alternatives
- a ban on single-use vapes to reduce waste, environmental harm and risks associated with improper disposal
- behaviour change programmes to encourage use of reusable alternatives and reduce reliance on single-use products
- consulting on introducing a minimum charge on single-use beverage cups to reduce consumption and encourage reusable options
Reducing food waste
Wasting food also wastes money, energy and natural resources.
Over one million tonnes of food and drink were wasted in Scotland in 2021.
Actions include:
- developing with stakeholders effective options to implement mandatory public reporting for food waste and surplus by businesses (from 2026)
- expanding food waste recycling services to increase coverage and improve capture rates across Scotland
- working with Zero Waste Scotland to develop an intervention plan to guide long-term work on household food waste reduction behaviour change
Find out more about how you can reduce your food waste by visiting Love Food Hate Waste Scotland.
Supporting reuse
Reuse, share and repair are important ways to help Scotland become a more circular economy.
Using these opportunities will help strengthen local supply chains, lower costs for households and improve local skills development.
We are working with Zero Waste Scotland and wider partners - including Circular Communities Scotland - to improve opportunities for reuse.
Actions include:
- improving reuse services and experiences, including expanding access to reuse and enhancing skills development
- developing hubs for the reuse of construction materials, ensuring surplus does not go to waste
- enhancing reuse and repair options and sharing best practice examples
There are tips on how to reduce consumption and waste on the Net Zero Nation website. You can check for local reuse, repair and share near you on the Circular Communities Scotland website map.