Household Recycling Code of Practice: Consultation document

Options to Go Further

Fully aligning with the Code of Practice will have an upfront cost and ongoing revenue costs for local authorities. The provisions set out above are those that co-design has identified as the key factors to deliver better services. The Scottish Government is therefore consulting on these provisions in the Code on the basis that we propose to fund the change that would be required by local authorities if they were to provide waste collection and recycling services consistently with the Code.

The Code contains practical guidance to local authorities in how to adopt an effective approach to meeting their existing statutory obligations in providing waste collection and recycling services. It does not impose additional legal requirements, but highlights best practice, and provides minimum expectations and operational guidance. The content of the Code may be expanded based on consultation feedback.

This section covers topics that were discussed during co-design but are not included in the Code provided for consultation.

During the passage of the Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024 and at stakeholder workshops there was discussion regarding adding new material streams or services to the Code. The following were most frequently raised by stakeholders or prompted by Scottish Government to gauge stakeholder feedback.

• Batteries and small waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)
• Mattresses and furniture
• Textiles
• Preparation for reuse facilities at household waste recycling centres

The Code does not prevent local authorities from going further than the standards set out in the Code and taking their own approach to managing these items or other materials entering the waste stream. However, the following section discusses whether recommendations relating to these materials or services should be included in the Code in future.

Batteries and small waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)

Whilst kerbside collection of batteries and small WEEE was discussed, no consensus was reached, reflecting mixed views on its practicality and where responsibility for collection should sit.

Some local authorities offering collections of batteries and small WEEE found the service to be underused and costly to run. Stakeholders also highlighted that many of these materials are already collected through (albeit costly and also underused) alternative routes, including household waste recycling centres, producer take-back schemes, retail collection points and third-sector reuse networks. Some stakeholders speculated that including this in the Code would reduce pressure on producers to fund collection and disposal.

Research has shown that battery fires in bin lorries and at waste sites in the UK have been increasing.^[37] This has prompted significant safety concerns. Some local authorities reported that collecting batteries in separate containers successfully reduced fire incidents and, in general, stakeholders recognised that separate collections of batteries and small WEEE could help reduce waste fires. However, many local authority stakeholders were concerned about the cost and practicality of collecting additional materials on their current vehicles and some felt that the increased fire risk associated with batteries meant local authorities should not be required to provide the service.

The recycling rate gains from batteries and small WEEE collections would be modest, and many stakeholders indicated that offering kerbside collection could encourage households to dispose of small WEEE rather than seek reuse options.

The Scottish Government is currently working with our UK counterparts on a UK-wide reform of the extended producer responsibility system for batteries, with the aim of aligning with the EU Batteries Regulation (EUBR). This will involve the publication of a consultation later this year. We are also exploring a range of measures across batteries, small WEEE and vapes aimed at tackling the issue of fires at waste facilities.

Mattresses and furniture

Mattresses and furniture are identified as a priority sector in the Scottish Government’s Circular Economy Strategy for Scotland. There is no current requirement for local authorities to recycle mattresses and furniture, but most costs for collection, for end-of-life disposal and processing reside with the local authority as they are ultimately responsible for providing waste management services. Some of these costs are recouped through charges for bulky waste collection. Local authorities are also required to manage some fly-tipped waste. According to the Countryside Alliance, mattresses and furniture accounted for 16% of total fly-tipping incidents in 2020/21, rising by 7% from the year before.^[38] However, when prompted in discussion over new items to include in the Code there was minimal support.

The Scottish Government’s Recycling Improvement Fund has successfully funded projects to increase the reuse of mattresses at household waste recycling centres in North Ayrshire Council and Orkney Island Council, but as a reuse activity this was out of scope of the statutory boundaries of the household recycling Code of Practice. The inclusion of mattresses and furniture within the Code may have an impact in maximising collection of waste mattresses, reducing incineration and landfill or prompting more reuse of mattresses.

Textiles

Textiles are also identified as a priority sector in the Scottish Government’s Circular Economy Strategy for Scotland. As part of the co-design process, the Scottish Government consulted on kerbside textiles collections. The results of this consultation were published on 1 December 2025.

Respondents to the consultation were divided on the efficiency and accessibility of current textile recycling provisions, with 42% believing the existing system is efficient and 44% believing it is not. Although there was support for household collection of textiles, 53% were opposed or strongly opposed to kerbside textile collection becoming a statutory service. Almost all respondents (92%) saw barriers to successfully implementing the policy, such as increased costs for local authorities, potential negative impacts on charity and reuse shops, risks of contamination and downgrading of textile quality, and limited infrastructure, particularly in rural and island locations.

Workshop participants generally echoed these concerns. Kerbside collection of textiles was seen by some as a high-effort solution with minimal pay-off in present circumstances and without producer responsibility. Bring banks were suggested as a better alternative, as they help keep material dry.

However, there was broad concern about local authority textile collections without stable end-markets, with multiple stakeholders noting that the textile market has recently collapsed. Some stakeholders also worried about the impact a kerbside collection service could have on third-sector organisations. Despite logistical and end-market challenges, some stakeholders felt textiles should still be collected due to their significant carbon footprint, but there was no consensus for change.

Preparation for reuse facilities at household waste recycling centres

Workshop 3 included a discussion regarding whether local authorities should make space for preparation for reuse facilities at household waste recycling centres.

Whilst there was general support for the principle and a recognition of valuable preparation for reuse and reuse activities already undertaken by local authorities, stakeholders noted that the value of implementing this was to an extent dependent on the capacity of local reuse services. Some authorities have been able to partner with local charities or reuse organisations, but this is not necessarily an option that is open to all. Local authorities also noted that providing space for preparation for reuse may be challenging in some locations and it was rare that space was not already fully in use within household waste recycling centres. Acquiring land for co-location space could create significant costs for local authorities and may be prohibitively expensive or unfeasible at some existing sites.

Local authorities do not have a statutory obligation to deliver reuse services, though many successfully do. Local authorities do have a duty to implement the waste hierarchy and support preparation for reuse where goods have become waste but through a process, such as repair or replacement of a component, can be made suitable for reuse. The Code of Practice could include additional provisions relating to best practice for preparation for reuse, such as at household waste recycling centres or in relation to bulky uplift services.

Zero Waste Scotland’s report on Making reuse happen at Household Waste Recycling Centres includes recommendations relevant to preparation for reuse. The report cites a case study from Germany that found 13-16% of WEEE, used furniture, and used leisure goods could immediately be prepared for reuse.^[39] The report identifies hubs or managed containers within household waste recycling containers as the most effective means to divert useable items from recycling or residual waste.

The Code could also include guidance on communications regarding preparation for reuse, including providing guidance to households that signposts options at household waste recycling centres or elsewhere in the authority and provides advice on items suitable for preparation for reuse.