Circular Economy Bill plans set out in new consultation
Proposals that could be included in a planned Circular Economy Bill have been put out to consultation by the Scottish Government.
A circular economy is one in which resources are kept in use for as long as possible. This benefits the environment by cutting waste and carbon emissions, assisting the transition to net zero emissions, while improving the economy through better productivity, opening up new markets, and new local employment opportunities.
Published along with a separate paper setting out a "Route Map to 2025 and beyond", the consultation sets out a number of areas in which ministers are seeking views on whether to take powers in the bill. These are split into sections covering strategic interventions; reduce and reuse; recycle; and littering and improving enforcement.
New strategic measures could include a duty on ministers to publish strategies every five years; statutory targets; and a new oversight body.
"Reduce and reuse" could see a ban on destruction of unsold durable goods, and environmental charging for single use items such as drinking cups.
On recycling, ministers want "significant action" to meet the target of recycling 70% of all waste by 2025 (the current figure is below 50%), through additional requirements on local authorities along with statutory guidance, including greater consistency in household recycling collections, and also increased duties on – and incentives for – householders.
A fixed penalty regime could be introduced for littering from vehicles, as could wider powers of seizure (comparable to those in England & Wales) of vehicles used for flytipping or other unlawful disposal of waste.
Introducing the paper, Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater writes: "Around four fifths of Scotland’s carbon footprint comes from the products and services we manufacture, use and throw away. We also know that 90% of global biodiversity loss and water stress is caused by resource extraction and processing. I am clear this isn’t sustainable, and we must change. As our Environment Strategy sets out, if everyone lived as we do in Scotland we would need three planets to sustain ourselves."
She adds: "The bill will increase the levers we have available to us and the Route Map sets out actions to accelerate progress within devolved competence, but some of the policy measures required to drive the transition to a fully circular economy are dependent upon UK Government action. We are working with the UK Government and other devolved administrations on some key measures, like reform of the packaging producer responsibility system, but it is vital the UK Government steps up to accelerate action.
"However, to cut our emissions significantly and meet our ambitious waste and recycling targets, we must accelerate action across society to reduce the demand for raw material in products and encourage reuse and repairs through responsible production and consumption, and recycle waste and energy to maximise the value of any waste that is generated."
Responses to both papers are due by 22 August 2022.