Wednesday 8th October 2008
Press Release
Scottish Environment Secretary outlines Scotland’s ‘zero waste’ ambitions
The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) has welcomed the increase in Scotland’s household waste recycling rate announced yesterday by Richard Lochhead, Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Environment, at the Scottish Waste & Resources Conference. The increase, from 28.4% in 2006/07 to 31.7% for 2007/08, is ‘very encouraging’, the Minister said.
Speaking at the event in Glasgow, Mr Lochhead outlined the Scottish Government’s vision for zero waste, and stressed the economic as well as the environmental benefits of reducing landfill and putting waste materials back to work.
With UK food price inflation running at a record 14.5%, electricity prices rising 18% year on year and gas inflation is 27.7%, he said there are “good reasons to conserve valuable resources by reducing, re-using and recycling. And good reasons to recognise the contribution that waste can make to achieving renewable energy and heat targets.”
Mr Lochhead also indicated that as part of the review of the National Waste Plan, the Scottish Government will be looking at the feasibility of landfill bans on certain waste streams.
“We are going to commission work on whether landfill bans on specific materials or categories could drive change forward… the infrastructure required to treat these materials, the lead-in time for any bans, the information which would need to be given to business and the practical enforcement of such bans by SEPA.”
The Minister also confirmed that trading and penalties under the Landfill Allowance Scheme, put in place to divert biodegradable waste from landfill to fulfill the diversion requirements in the EU Landfill Directive, are currently suspended, while national plans, targets and finances are being discussed with (COSLA).
“Before reaching a final decision about the future of the scheme, COSLA and the Scottish Government will need to be satisfied that the recycling and landfill diversion figures are on track to achieve the 2010 targets and beyond,” he said.
Responding to this issue, the CIWM has called on all stakeholders to work together.
“With the strong progress made by Scotland, and its ambitious targets for the future, now is not the time to take our foot off the accelerator,” says Jim Baird, chairman of the CIWM Scotland Centre.
CIWM chief executive Steve Lee added:
“Across the UK, landfill allowances have only just started to bed in. This approach in Scotland may create breathing space for some authorities to make long term plans on waste services and infrastructure, presumably ‘suspended’ means that the possibility of reintroduced fines is still an option. We will be watching very closely to see how this helps or hinders progress in breaking our reliance on landfill.”
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.
2. Comprehensive information about CIWM can be found at www.ciwm.co.uk
Contacts:
Pat Jennings
CIWM Communications Manager
Tel: 01604 620426
Mob: 07912 228260
E-mail: pat.jennings@ciwm.co.uk
Catherine Maclean
CIWM Scotland Regional Development Officer
Tel: 0141 273 1439
E-mail: catherine.maclean@ciwm.co.uk
