Strengthening approach to household recycling collection services

1. Ministerial Foreword

Addressing the climate emergency and nature crises are fundamental challenges we must all tackle together. Day-to-day we see the impacts they are having on our communities, our society, our economic wellbeing, and our environment – both here in Scotland and globally.

How we view and treat our resources in Scotland is integral to addressing these crises. Around four-fifths of Scotland’s carbon footprint comes from the products and services we manufacture, use and throw away.

The ‘2024-25 Programme for Government’ committed the Scottish Government to support the transition to a more circular economy and we have set out priority actions for waste and recycling in our Circular Economy & Waste Route Map. The policy areas discussed in this document can contribute to helping to tackle the climate emergency and improve public services.

Changes to our waste and recycling services are essential to ensure Scotland maximises the value from its waste. In addition to the societal benefits of increased recycling and improved household services, a more circular economy presents significant economic opportunities, including job creation, cost savings, and the development of new markets for recycled materials.

The Circular Economy & Waste Route Map prioritises the co-design of a new household recycling Code of Practice. This new Code of Practice will be mandatory and lead to more consistency of services in Scotland.

We are in the early stages of co-designing this new Code of Practice and will require input from numerous stakeholders, particularly local authorities that deliver waste and recycling services. The co-design process will ensure that the new mandatory Code sets out an approach to increase recycling that is practical, effective, and feasible for local authorities and other service providers, rather than enforcing a rigid, top-down model.

The topics covered in this consultation, depending on the responses received, may inform that co-design or other legislative and policy change, if required. Your feedback will guide our approach to the environmental challenge and economic opportunity, and help Scotland meet its commitments to a more circular economy.