Household Recycling Code of Practice: Consultation document

Introduction

Purpose of this consultation

The Scottish Government is consulting on a statutory Household Recycling Code of Practice for Scotland.

The statutory Code will set out the standards expected of, and steps to be taken by, local authorities in carrying out their waste management functions in so far as they relate to the collection and recycling of household waste. It has been developed through an extensive programme of co-design with local government, industry, third sector organisations and other stakeholders, supported by technical analysis and modelling.

This public consultation seeks views on the expected standards set out in the Code, including the materials that should be collected for recycling, how services should be delivered, and the arrangements needed to support implementation. Responses will help inform the final content of the Code before it is published.

The purpose of the Code of Practice

The Household Recycling Code of Practice will provide a national framework for household recycling services in Scotland. A full draft of the Code of Practice for Household Waste Recycling is published with the consultation.

Its purpose is to improve consistency in recycling and waste collection services, increase the quantity and quality of materials collected for recycling, and support progress towards Scotland's circular economy ambitions. The Code seeks to make recycling easier for householders by providing greater consistency in the services available across Scotland, while recognising that flexibility will continue to be required to reflect local circumstances.

The draft Code has been developed under powers provided by the Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024. Once finalised, it will be a statutory Code of Practice. As stipulated under Section 44ZZA of the Circular Economy Act, local authorities have a duty to outline how they intend to carry out functions of the Code in relation to the collection and recycling of household waste. Once the Code comes into force, local authorities will be expected to set out, through their Integrated Waste Management Plans, how their services align with the standards and guidance contained within the Code. Where services do not align, local authorities should explain the reasons for this and any planned actions to achieve alignment where appropriate.

Who the Code applies to

The Code applies to local authorities in their role as providers of household waste and recycling collection services. Its expected standards relate to the functions of local authorities in providing waste collection and recycling services, whether or not the services are ultimately delivered through contracted providers.

While the Code is aimed at local authorities’ functions in relation to collection and recycling of waste, it is ultimately intended to benefit householders by supporting clearer, more consistent and higher-performing recycling services. It is also expected to support wider environmental outcomes by increasing recycling and reducing the amount of material disposed of as residual waste.

How this consultation fits within the wider policy programme

This consultation is part of the Scottish Government's wider programme of work to deliver a more circular economy in Scotland. It supports the ambitions set out in Scotland’s Circular Economy Strategy, which provides the long-term framework for reducing waste, keeping materials in use for longer and supporting sustainable resource use across the economy.

The Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024 includes an obligation to prepare and publish a Code of Practice setting out the standards expected of, and steps to be taken by, local authorities in carrying out their waste management functions in so far as they relate to the collection and recycling of household waste. This forms part of a broader package of measures intended to reduce waste, increase reuse and recycling, and maximise the value of resources.

The development of the Code is one of the priority actions set out in Delivering Scotland's Circular Economy: Route Map to 2030. The Route Map identified greater consistency in household recycling services as an important step towards improving recycling performance and making it easier for people to do the right thing with their unavoidable waste.

The Circular Economy Strategy for Scotland sets out the rationale and benefits of a more circular economy within the wider economic framework. The Code makes a contribution to achieving the outcomes discussed in the economy, environment and social themes listed in the strategy.

The Code sits alongside other reforms to Scotland's waste and recycling system, including the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging, the Deposit Return Scheme and wider measures to reduce waste and increase reuse set out in the Route Map. Together, these measures are intended to create a more effective and efficient resource management system for Scotland.

How to respond

We are inviting responses to the questions set out in this consultation document. The consultation will run from 29 October 2026 until 21 January 2027.

Responses can be submitted through the Scottish Government's consultation platform, Citizen Space.

If you are unable to respond online, you may submit your response by email or post using the contact details provided on the consultation webpage and at the end of this document.

Following the consultation period, all responses will be analysed and considered and a consultation analysis report will be published. The Scottish Government will then consider whether any changes are required before preparing the final version of the Household Recycling Code of Practice.