Household Recycling Code of Practice: Consultation document

Ministerial Foreword

Gillian Martin, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs

Addressing the climate emergency and nature crisis is one of the defining challenges of our time. How we use our resources, and particularly how we move away from the traditional take-make-dispose model towards a circular economy, will play a vital role in tackling these challenges. Around four-fifths of Scotland's carbon footprint comes from the products and services we manufacture, use and discard.

Through the Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024, the Circular Economy & Waste Route Map and our Circular Economy Strategy, we have set out a clear pathway towards a more circular economy. Together, they provide the framework for reducing waste, keeping valuable materials in use for longer, increasing recycling, and lowering the emissions associated with the goods and resources we consume. We are now delivering on those commitments through practical actions that will help transform Scotland's household recycling and waste system.

The Household Recycling Code of Practice is an important part of that transformation. The Code establishes a national framework for household recycling services that is evidence-based, practical and designed to support high-performing recycling systems. The key changes set out in this consultation, including increasing twin-stream recycling, greater consistency in recycling services and reducing residual waste, have all been shown to work in local authorities in Scotland and I want more people to have services that deliver those benefits. By providing simple and more consistent recycling services while retaining local flexibility where needed, the Code of Practice should increase recycling performance, protect the environment and provide a better public service.

This consultation represents the culmination of extensive co-design with stakeholders from across the waste, resources and recycling sectors. Local authorities, in particular, have played a central role throughout its development. I am grateful to them and also to the many industry representatives, third sector organisations and citizens who have engaged with this work, sharing their expertise to help shape these proposals. Through sustained collaboration, constructive challenge and detailed discussion, we have worked together to develop proposals that are both ambitious and deliverable.

The Code reflects a shared drive to improve recycling services and outcomes for households across Scotland. I am determined that Scotland will play its full part in tackling the climate emergency and nature crisis and that everyone in Scotland receives high-quality recycling services. I therefore invite you to take part in this consultation and help shape the future of household recycling services in Scotland. Together, we can build a recycling system that is simpler, more consistent and better equipped to support Scotland's transition to a circular economy.