Thursday 29th November 2007
Press Release
New funding arrangements for Scotland’s councils could hamper future recycling performance
The Scotland Centre of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) is urging Scottish local authorities to maintain and improve on recent achievements in recycling, following the announcement of the Scottish Government’s spending plans by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth earlier this month.
The Concordat signed by the Scottish Ministers and the CoSLA Presidential team will see the end of ring fenced money for waste and resource management through the Strategic Waste Fund. From April 2008, this funding will be absorbed into the main local government settlement.
However, councils play a pivotal role in developing a more sustainable approach to the nation’s waste and protecting both the local and global environment and also have tough targets to meet in the future. The CIWM Scotland Centre is concerned that the money needed to maintain the positive momentum on recycling and taking waste out of landfill could now be directed elsewhere.
As well as a national target in the Concordat to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill by 1.32 million tonnes by 2010, Scotland has to meet strict EU targets to reduce the landfilling of biodegradable municipal waste to 75% of that produced in 1995; with further reductions to 50% by 2013 and 35% by 2020. Substantial fines could be incurred if councils fail to put in place the additional recycling, sorting and treatment capacity needed to meet these targets.
“Councils face many competing pressures, and our concern is that the new funding arrangement could result in a substantial drop in funding for recycling and sustainable waste management,” says Professor Jim Baird, Chair of the CIWM Scottish Centre of the Institution.
“The disbursement of the Strategic Waste Fund (SWF) has until now allowed councils to budget, plan and secure significant improvements in waste recycling and diversion. As a result, we’ve seen the country’s recycling performances soar to around 30% today and it is essential that we do not lose this momentum in the future.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
1. The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) is the leading professional body for the waste management sector representing over 7000 individuals in the UK and overseas. Established in 1898, CIWM is a non profit-making organisation, dedicated to the promotion of professional competence amongst waste managers. CIWM seeks to raise standards for those working in and with the sector by producing best practice guidance, developing educational and training initiatives, and providing information on key waste-related issues. Comprehensive information about CIWM can be found at www.ciwm.co.uk
2. The Strategic Waste Fund (SWF) is a specific grant scheme established by the Scottish Government for implementation of the National Waste Strategy in Scotland. It was set up under the Financial Assistance for Environmental Purposes Order 2000 (S.S.I 2000/430). The Government has made provision for specific funds within the scheme to assist local authorities to implement their respective Area Waste Plans (AWPs). The purpose of the SWF is to decrease the amount of municipal solid waste (MSW) sent to landfill by means of waste reduction, reuse, recycling, composting or residual waste treatment. For further information on the national waste strategy and Strategic Waste funds visit this link http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/Waste/17103/8893
3. The Scottish Centre of CIWM have developed a position paper on Developing Municipal Solid Waste Infrastructure in Scotland
http://www.ciwm.co.uk/mediastore/FILES/15513.pdf
Contacts:
Catherine Maclean
Regional Development Officer -Scotland
CIWM Scotland Centre
Tel: 0141 273 1439
Mob: 07921 386 000
E-mail: Catherine.maclean@ciwm.co.uk
Pat Jennings
Communications Manager
CIWM
Tel: 01604 620426
Mob: 07881 878568
E-mail: pat.jennings@ciwm.co.uk
