Climate change monitoring report 2023

Climate Change Plan Monitoring Report 2023: Waste and the Circular Economy

Part A - Overview of sector

The 2020 annual emissions envelope published in the CCPu for his sector was 1.6 MtCO₂e, whereas the outturn emission statistics for this year (published in June 2022) show a position of 1.5 MtCO₂e^[29]. On the basis of comparing these figures, the sector was within its envelope in 2020.

The CCPu sets out the following four policy outcomes for the sector:

Reduction in waste sent to landfill	On Track	Off Track	Too Early to Say
Total amount of landfilled waste (tonnes)		X
Total amount of biodegradable landfilled waste (tonnes)	X

Reduction in emissions from closed landfill sites	On Track	Off Track	Too Early to Say
Number of closed landfill sites with exploratory landfill gas capture/ flaring		X

A reduction in food waste	On Track	Off Track	Too Early to Say
Household and non-household food waste reduced (tonnes)		X

Reduce waste and establish a more circular economy, where goods and materials are kept in use for longer	On Track	Off Track	Too Early to Say
Total waste generated (tonnes)	X

Just transition and cross economy impacts

We wish to understand and report on the broader just transition and cross-economy impacts of our emissions-reduction activities in addition to these sector specific policy outcomes and indicators. To do this, in this report we use data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS): Low Carbon Renewable Energy Economy (LCREE) publication. The LCREE data presented in this report is based on survey data of businesses which perform economic activities that deliver goods and services that are likely to help generate lower emissions of greenhouse gases, for example low carbon electricity, low emission vehicles and low carbon services.

The LCREE indicator is narrowly defined and, while useful within its limited scope, does not give us the full picture of the impacts on workforce, employers and communities and progress towards a just transition.

Over the next few years we will work to develop a more meaningful set of success outcomes and indicators aimed at tracking the impacts of our policies on a just transition to net zero.

Sector commentary on progress

While Scotland has already made significant strides in reducing emissions from waste, with more than 40% reduction in waste management emissions between 2011-2020, our CCPu recognised that progress needs to be accelerated to deliver our ambitious waste reduction and recycling targets, and to enable us to meet updated waste sector emissions envelopes. Emissions from the waste management sector are currently around 1.4 million tonnes per year (2020). We aim to reduce these emissions to 0.9 million tonnes by 2025, and 0.7 million tonnes by 2030.

To achieve this, we must: accelerate action across society to reduce the demand for raw material in products; encourage reuse and repairs through responsible production and consumption; and recycle waste and energy to maximise the value of any waste that is generated.

As a result of the December 2020 cyber-attack on SEPA, publications from 2019 and 2020 covering statistics on waste from all sources are not available, but this year it has been possible to update indicators with 2021 data on waste from all sources.

While we have made progress in delivering key policy measures set out in our Climate Change Update, based on available information it is clear that, for many of the indicators, Scotland is not on track.

For example, while the reduction in landfilled waste in recent years is encouraging, achieving the 5% to landfill target represents a significant challenge. The indicator to reduce biodegradable landfilled waste (tonnes) to zero is judged as on track, as work with partners to prepare local authorities and the wider sector for the forthcoming ban on landfilling biodegradable municipal waste (which comes into force at the end of 2025) continues to be prioritised.

However, across all of the other targets, we still have a significant challenge ahead and it is unlikely that these can be met in full without large-scale, significant and rapid system changes. As we set out in the CCPu, we are developing a route map focussed on actions to deliver our waste reduction and recycling targets to 2025 and beyond, in a way that maximises carbon savings potential. In May 2022, we consulted on our draft route map^[30] and set out proposed new and boosted measures to accelerate progress towards existing targets. We will publish a final Route Map later this year. We also consulted on proposals for a circular economy bill, to ensure legislation is in place to support Scotland’s transition to a circular economy (Delivering Scotland’s circular economy: a consultation on proposals for a Circular Economy Bill – Scottish Government – Citizen Space). Consultation analysis has been published and we will be bringing forward legislation this parliamentary term (Delivering Scotland’s circular economy: Proposed Circular Economy Bill – Consultation analysis – gov.scot (www.gov.scot))

These actions will complement the existing, wide-ranging measures we have in place to support delivery of these targets, set out in the CCP. For example, Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme will go live on 1 March 2024; and we have established our £70m Recycling Improvement Fund to improve local authority recycling infrastructure – one of the biggest investments in recycling in Scotland in a generation. To date, over £53 million has been awarded to 17 local authorities to increase the quantity and quality of recycling, with initial projects estimated to deliver an annual carbon saving of 49,000 tCO₂e.

Developments in monitoring arrangements since last report

Work continues to develop more robust reporting for some of the indicators, including landfill gas capture and food waste measurements. Another key development will be the planned UK wide introduction of mandatory digital waste tracking. Improvements in waste data are overseen by the multi-stakeholder Scottish Waste Data Strategy Board. In addition, the Circular Economy Bill and Waste Route Map consultations highlighted our intention to develop a monitoring and indicator framework that will allow for tracking of Scotland’s consumption and wider measures of circularity.

Part B – Progress to Policy Outcome Indicators

Policy Outcome: Cross-sectoral social and economic

Indicator: FTE employment in Low Carbon Renewable Energy Economy Indicator

On-Track Assessment (Milestones/Targets): Year-to-year change

Most Recent Data: 2021

Data Source(s): Office of National Statistics: Low Carbon Renewable Energy Economy (LCREE), Time spent of Green Tasks

Assessment: Too Early to Say

Commentary:

In 2021, the Scottish low carbon renewable energy (LCREE) sectors were estimated to provide 28,300 jobs, the highest in the published data.

• The estimates of LCREE are based on a relative small sample of businesses and hence are subject to a wide confidence interval. Scottish LCREE employment in 2021 is substantially higher than previous years but the difference Is not statistically higher than 2020.

Employment in Low Carbon Renewable Energy Economy, FTE

• LCREE only shows employment in roles in Industries directly involved in the transition to Net Zero.
• The ONS also released experimental statistics on a wider perspective of
• green activity in the economy with their time spent on green tasks release.
• These stats reflect green activities in both LCREE and non-LCREE sectors. The 2023 publication has not yet been published.
• Last year’s publication showed that in 2019 Scotland achieved an all-time high of hours spent on green tasks and proportion of workers doing green tasks, including workers who spend more than 20% of their time on green tasks.
• The proportion of workers doing green tasks in Scotland was 36% in 2019, up from 23.8% in 2004. Workers who have spent more than 20% of their time doing green tasks was 14%, up from 9% in 2004.
• The proportion of overall hours spend doing green tasks in Scotland was 7%, up from 4.9% in 2004.

Policy Outcome: 1

Indicator: Total amount of landfilled waste (tonnes)

On-track Assessment (Milestones/Targets): Progress to target [no more than 5% of all waste to landfill by 2025]

Most recent data: Landfilled waste reduced from 3.74 million tonnes in 2018 (32.7% of waste generated) to 3.00 million tonnes (31.3% of waste generated) in 2021. The percentage of total waste sent to landfill in 2019 and 2020 cannot be calculated due to the absence of total waste figures for those years.

Data source(s): SEPA official statistics – Waste landfilled in Scotland 2021: Waste from all sources 2021

Assessment: Off Track

Commentary: Currently, Scotland landfills less than half of what it did in 2005, with waste sent to landfill falling from around 7 million tonnes in 2005 to around 3 million tonnes in 2021. Scottish waste landfilled in 2021 was 31.3% of total waste generated (or, similarly, 30.2% of total waste managed).

Achieving the weight-based, 5% to landfill target represents a significant challenge and the pace of reduction would need to accelerate markedly to meet the target. It should be noted however, that the types of waste being landfilled have changed significantly, with ‘household and similar waste’ (responsible for much of the biodegradable waste, which produces landfill gas) reducing from 46% of waste landfilled in 2005 to 25% of waste landfilled in 2021.

In 2022, we consulted on proposals for a route map to drive progress towards our 2025 targets and beyond. This set out proposed additional actions to accelerate the pace of waste reduction and recycling, building on existing measures we have in place to meet this target. The final route map will be published later this year, taking account of the outcome of public consultation on proposed measures.

Policy Outcome: 1

Indicator: Total amount of biodegradable landfilled waste (tonnes)

On-track Assessment (Milestones/Targets): Year-to-year change +

Progress to interim target [0 tonnes of biodegradable municipal waste landfilled by 31^st December 2025]

Most recent data: Biodegradable municipal waste (BMW) landfilled has reduced from 2.0 million tonnes in 2005 to 0.86 million tonnes in 2021.

Data source(s): SEPA official statistics – waste landfilled in Scotland

Assessment: On track

Commentary:

Clear reductions have been seen over the past 15 years in the amount of BMW landfilled. The amount of biodegradable municipal waste (BMW – the biodegradable component of Municipal Waste) disposed to landfill in 2021 was 856,000 tonnes, an increase of 122,000 tonnes (17%) from 2020 and a reduction of 1.2 million tonnes (58%) since 2005. The increase between 2020 and 2021 was likely due to the effects of Covid-19, however, the longer term trend is expected to continue as we move towards the ban on landfilling biodegradable municipal waste, which will come into force on 31 December 2025. Work continues to support remaining local authorities to put in place alternative solutions to comply with the ban.

Policy Outcome: 2

Indicator: Number of closed landfill sites with exploratory landfill gas capture/ flaring

On-track Assessment (Milestones/Targets): Progress to target [12 by2025]

Most recent data: n/a

Data source(s): To be determined

Assessment: Off Track

Commentary:

This was a new policy, as outlined in the CCPu, to accelerate Landfill Gas Capture, working with SEPA and key industry partners to scale up the existing landfill gas capture programme to mitigate effects of landfill and environmental impact of closed landfill sites. This is supported by additional funding from the Low Carbon Fund, with the aim to harness the energy generated from landfill gas capture and maximise circular economy opportunities. Due to other unavoidable resource implications, including COVID-19 contingency work, progress on this policy outcome has been paused, but roll out of the programme will begin from 2023.

Policy Outcome: 3

Indicator: Household and non-household food waste reduced (tonnes)

On-track Assessment (Milestones/Targets): Progress to target [reduce all food waste by 33% by 2025]^[31]

Most recent data: An estimated 987,890 tonnes (baseline year) of food and drink in Scotland was wasted. As part of work on the Food Waste Reduction Action Plan

(FWRAP), Zero Waste Scotland is currently developing updated estimates of food waste in Scotland.

Data source(s): ‘How much food is wasted in Scotland?’ – Zero Waste Scotland, November 2016.

Assessment: Off track

Commentary:

A review of Scotland’s Food Waste Reduction Action Plan has been undertaken and refreshed plans to drive progress towards the 33% target will be published in 2023. The review will provide updated estimates of total food waste in Scotland and further sector specific data will also be published. Scotland does not currently collect waste data at the granular level necessary to report annually or by supply chain sector.

According to our 2013 baseline data, the two largest sector sources of food waste are Household & Consumer (61%) and Food & Drink Manufacturing (25%). While the Scottish householder is a clear target for change, the relationships between the consumer, the retailer and the supply chain are complex, with each influencing the others’ decisions and behaviour. The remaining 14% is food waste generated by the Hospitality & Catering, Wholesale & Retail, Education, and Healthcare sectors.

A waste compositional analysis across several local authorities will inform the updated estimate for household food waste in Scotland.

In May 2022, we consulted on proposals for a Circular Economy and Waste Route Map^[32] to accelerate progress towards our 2025 waste and recycling targets, including food waste reduction. This proposed additional measures to tackle food waste, including intensifying action to tackle household food waste; providing enhanced support for businesses and organisations to reduce food waste and promote a circular bioeconomy and through the proposed Circular Economy Bill taking additional powers to introduce mandatory public reporting of food surplus and waste. The final Route Map will be published later in 2023, taking account of the outcome of public consultation on proposed measures.

Policy Outcome: 4

Indicator: Total waste generated (tonnes)

On-track Assessment (Milestones/Targets): Progress to target [reduce total waste by 15% by 2025 against 2011 baseline]^[33]

Most recent data:

Data source(s): Official statistics publication by SEPA- waste from all sources 2021.

Assessment: On track

Commentary: The total amount of waste generated in 2021 was 9.6 million tonnes, the lowest figure to date in SEPA’s statistics, which provide data from 2011 onwards. This equates to a 20% reduction compared with 2011.

However, it should be noted that 2021 was an atypical year due to the impact of COVID and, even in years not affected by COVID, year-to-year changes in waste can be marked – generally driven by year-to-year variability in construction and demolition waste. Due to the level of year-to-year fluctuation, the target has been met in 3 years (2012, 2014, 2021) but not the other 5 years for which data are available. Excluding construction and demolition waste, the trend is clearer with a decline in combined household and commercial & industrial waste from 6.8 million tonnes in 2011 to 5.6 million tonnes in 2021, a drop of around 18% in 10 years.

As a result of the December 2020 cyber-attack on SEPA, waste from all sources publications for 2019 and 2020 are not available.

In May 2022, our route map consultation set out some proposed additional measures to accelerate progress towards our 2025 waste prevention and recycling targets and deliver a circular economy in Scotland. Building on measures already in place or underway, the consultation proposed a range of additional legislative and non-legislative measures that can positively contribute to the delivery of the targets and make progress towards carbon reduction. Proposals were grouped into seven change packages, which span action across the whole circular economy, including promoting responsible consumption and production (including reducing consumption of single-use items, promoting product design and stewardship and mainstreaming reuse); reducing food waste from households and businesses; and embedding circular construction practices. The final route map will be published later in 2023, taking account of the outcome of public consultation on proposed measures.

Part C – Information on implementation of individual policies

Outcome 1: Reduction in waste sent to landfill

Policy

End landfilling of biodegradable municipal waste by 2025, reduce the percentage of all waste sent to landfill to 5% by 2025 and recycle 70% of all waste by 2025 by:

• Developing a new route map to reduce waste and meet our waste and recycling targets for 2025 in a way that maximises their carbon savings potential.
• Developing a post 2025 route map for the waste and resources sector, identifying how the sector will contribute towards Scotland’s journey towards net zero in the period to 2030 and beyond.
• Establishing a £70m fund to improve local authority recycling collection infrastructure.
• In line with EU requirements, further promoting reuse and recycling ensure separate collection of textiles by 2025; and ensuring that biowaste (e.g. garden waste), is either separated and recycled at source, or is collected separately and is not mixed with other types of waste by 2023.

In response to the Committee on Climate Change’s (CCC’s) latest recommendations, it is our intention to extend the forthcoming ban on biodegradable municipal

waste to landfill to include biodegradable nonmunicipal wastes, subject to appropriate consultation and work to provide assurance around some specific waste streams.

Date announced

2020-2021 PfG

Progress on implementation since time of last report / CCPu

• Our £70 Recycling Improvement Fund was launched in March 2021. So far over £53 million has been awarded to 17 local authority projects to improve recycling infrastructure.
• A public consultation on proposals for a Route Map to reduce waste, and meet our 2025 targets was published in May 2022.
• Work is ongoing to support remaining local authorities to put in place alternative solutions to comply with the ban on landfilling biodegradable municipal waste (BMW).
• Work is ongoing to identify and quantify waste streams that could fall within an extension of the landfill ban to include biodegradable non-municipal waste and provide assurances over the feasibility of including these in a landfill ban.

Have any implementation indicators / milestones been set for this policy? If so, most recent data for progress against these.

Annual official waste statistics are published by SEPA, which indicate progress against these commitments, as outlined above at Part B.

The projects funded through the Recycling Improvement Fund are projected to save over 49,000 tonnes of CO₂e per year.

Timeframe and expected next steps

Recycling Improvement Fund is a five-year fund, further investments will be made across the lifetime of the Fund.

Publish final Route Map later in 2023, taking account of responses to consultation and further research.

Policy

End landfilling of biodegradable municipal waste by 2025, reduce the percentage of all waste sent to landfill to 5% by 2025 and recycle 70% of all waste by 2025 by:

• Developing a new route map to reduce waste and meet our waste and recycling targets for 2025 in a way that maximises their carbon savings potential.
• Developing a post 2025 route map for the waste and resources sector, identifying how the sector will contribute towards Scotland’s journey towards net zero in the period to 2030 and beyond.
• Establishing a £70m fund to improve local authority recycling collection infrastructure.
• In line with EU requirements, further promoting reuse and recycling ensure separate collection of textiles by 2025; and ensuring that biowaste (e.g. garden waste), is either separated and recycled at source, or is collected separately and is not mixed with other types of waste by 2023.

In response to the Committee on Climate Change’s (CCC’s) latest recommendations, it is our intention to extend the forthcoming ban on biodegradable municipal waste to landfill to include biodegradable nonmunicipal wastes, subject to appropriate consultation and work to provide assurance around some specific waste streams.

Date announced

2020-2021 PfG

Progress on implementation since time of last report / CCPu

• Our £70 Recycling Improvement Fund was launched in March 2021. So far over £53 million has been awarded to 17 local authority projects to improve recycling infrastructure.
• A public consultation on proposals for a Route Map to reduce waste, and meet our 2025 targets was published in May 2022.
• Work is ongoing to support remaining local authorities to put in place alternative solutions to comply with the ban on landfilling biodegradable municipal waste (BMW).
• Work is ongoing to identify and quantify waste streams that could fall within an extension of the landfill ban to include biodegradable non-municipal waste and provide assurances over the feasibility of including these in a landfill ban.

Have any implementation indicators / milestones been set for this policy? If so, most recent data for progress against these.

Annual official waste statistics are published by SEPA, which indicate progress against these commitments, as outlined above at Part B.

The projects funded through the Recycling Improvement Fund are projected to save over 49,000 tonnes of CO₂e per year.

Timeframe and expected next steps

Ban on landfilling BMW comes into force on 31 December 2025.

Extending forthcoming ban on landfilling biodegradable municipal waste: We intend to undertake the necessary impact assessments and consult on extending the ban during 2023-24.

Policy

Work with COSLA in the coming year to evaluate the Household Recycling Charter and review its Code of Practice as a key step in developing a future model of recycling collection.

Date announced

2020/21 PfG

Progress on implementation since time of last report / CCPu

This work was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Actions relating to the Household Recycling Charter and its supporting Code of Practice were included in the consultation on the Waste Route Map (May 2022).

Have any implementation indicators / milestones been set for this policy? If so, most recent data for progress against these.

N/A

Timeframe and expected next steps

The Waste Route Map consultation proposed a recycling services co-design process, and development of statutory guidance for provision of high-performance household waste services in different contexts, using the findings and outputs from the co-design process. Evaluation of the Household Recycling Charter and findings from the review of its Code of Practice, will be key to informing this process. Timings will be confirmed in due course through our final Waste Route Map to be published later in 2023.

Policy

Underpinning this we will take steps to improve waste data, continuing to work with UK Government, other devolved governments and agencies to develop electronic waste tracking, which will help deliver a step change in the quality and usefulness of waste data for decision making. This will include taking the necessary steps alongside SEPA to drive implementation of the system in Scotland.

Date announced

Low Carbon Fund 2020

Progress on implementation since time of last report / CCPu

Following a 4-nations consultation on the Introduction of Mandatory Digital Waste Tracking, (21 Jan to 15 April 2022), we have worked jointly with partners to published a summary of responses (Implementation of mandatory digital waste tracking – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and continue to work to develop the system further, taking into account stakeholder feedback.

An IT supplier has been contracted to build the waste tracking service.

Have any implementation indicators / milestones been set for this policy? If so, most recent data for progress against these.

N/A

Timeframe and expected next steps

Publish a 4-nations response to the consultation, in 2023/24.

Outcome 2: Reduction in emissions from closed landfill sites.

Policy

Accelerate Landfill Gas Capture and Landfill Legacy Management: we will work with SEPA and key industry partners to scale up the existing landfill gas capture programme to mitigate effects of landfill and environmental impact of closed landfill sites

Date announced

Low Carbon Fund 2020

Progress on implementation since time of last report / CCPu

Due to other unavoidable resource implications, including COVID-19 contingency work, progress on this policy outcome has been paused, but we are looking to begin roll out of the programme from 2023.

Have any implementation indicators / milestones been set for this policy? If so, most recent data for progress against these.

Double the number of landfill gas capture sites that undertake investigative or development work (from 12 to 24 sites) by 2025.

SEPA has already identified 12 sites for potential investigative work.

Timeframe and expected next steps

Landfill gas capture: Engagement with sector and key stakeholders in first half of 2023/24, alongside research on opportunities.

Policy

Landfill gas capture on closed sites: in association with SEPA and the waste industry, double the number of landfill gas capture sites that undertake investigative or development work (from 12 to 24 sites) by 2025, in order to harness energy generated from landfill gas capture and maximise other circular economy opportunities. SEPA has already identified 12 sites for potential investigative work.

Date announced

Low Carbon Fund 2020

Progress on implementation since time of last report / CCPu

As above

Have any implementation indicators / milestones been set for this policy? If so, most recent data for progress against these.

As above

Timeframe and expected next steps

As above

Outcome 3: A reduction in food waste.

Policy

We will lead collaborative efforts to deliver Scotland’s landmark Food Waste Reduction Action Plan (FWRAP). To reduce food waste by 33% from the 2013 baseline by 2025. Actions include:

Date announced

FWRAP published 2019; 2020/21 PfG

Progress on implementation since time of last report / CCPu

Zero Waste Scotland – our programme partners – have continued to build evidence to inform decisions to reduce food waste. Evidence gathering exercises have included stakeholder mapping across household and business sectors, and more broadly across the food system, to determine at what stage of decision-making interventions can be made to reduce food waste.

In 2022 we undertook a food waste recycling marketing campaign. This was focused on increasing consumer awareness of food waste recycling and the harm food waste going to landfill does to the environment.

Have any implementation indicators / milestones been set for this policy? If so, most recent data for progress against these.

N/A

Timeframe and expected next steps

The FWRAP was designed to help meet our reduction targets by 2025.

As of March 2023, next steps on the FWRAP include publishing a review of progress to date. This will include the publication of a co-created action plan designed by, and for the benefit of, key stakeholders across various food sectors to deliver targeted and impactful results.

Policy

Improving local authority segregated food waste collections to help break down barriers to food waste reuse and recycling. Supporting leadership, innovation, effectiveness and efficiency in Scotland’s public, private and hospitality sectors by expanding pilot programmes across the education sector and public sector buildings; Support the development and implementation of an NHS Scotland national action plan on food waste; Develop best practice guidance for public sector procurement teams to drive new ways of working and more transparent supply chains. A sustained approach to public engagement and communications to enable the public to make changes in their choices and behaviours around food and food waste, in partnership with Zero Waste Scotland.

Progress on implementation since time of last report / CCPu

Consulted on mandatory public reporting of waste and surplus as part of a Circular Economy Bill consultation.

Through Zero Waste Scotland a range of projects are being delivered in partnership with stakeholders. These projects have focussed on: behavioural change in households; raising awareness across communities; and improving food waste recycling rates to deliver FWRAP priorities. Separately, we are funding a food redistribution programme to reduce waste from producers.

Have any implementation indicators / milestones been set for this policy? If so, most recent data for progress against these.

N/A

Timeframe and expected next steps

Next steps include refreshing our proposals to address food waste through the development of our Waste Route Map. This is due to be published later in 2023.

Outcome 4: Reduce waste and establish a more circular economy, where goods and materials are kept in use for longer.

Policy

We will work with local authorities and the future DRS scheme administrator(s) to explore options that will unlock reprocessing investments, including pricing and incentive schemes, to create jobs and a ready supply of recycled material for new packaging.

Date announced

2020/21 PfG

Progress on implementation since time of last report / CCPu

Biffa, the official logistics partners to the DRS scheme administrator, is investing more than £80m to develop the infrastructure needed to deliver the scheme. This is expected to create around 500 jobs.

We continue to work with inwards investment colleagues to follow-up on wider opportunities for materials reprocessing.

Have any implementation indicators / milestones been set for this policy? If so, most recent data for progress against these.

Contractual obligations associated with reprocessing contracts rest entirely with CSL as the private sector scheme administrator

Timeframe and expected next steps

DRS is due to go live on 1 March 2024.

Policy

Measures to encourage more sustainable consumer purchasing, including plans to take further steps to consult on a charge on single use disposable beverage cups and to increase the carrier bag minimum charge from 5p to 10p in this parliamentary session.

Date announced

Boosted [2020-2021 PfG]

Progress on implementation since time of last report / CCPu

The Circular Economy Bill consultation included questions relating to charging for single-use items.

Scottish Ministers committed to introduce a charge on single-use cups by 2025.

The Waste Route Map consultation included a package on promoting responsible consumption, production and re-use

Have any implementation indicators / milestones been set for this policy? If so, most recent data for progress against these.

N/A

Timeframe and expected next steps

The Circular Economy Bill will be brought forward in this parliamentary term

The Waste Route Map will be published in 2023

Develop detailed proposals for the planned charge on single use disposable beverage cups.

Policy

Banning priority single use items: We will consult on banning a number of problematic plastic items identified in the EU’s Single Use Plastics Directive (with a view to introducing legislation in 2021) and outline how we will give effect to the wider requirements of the Directive before the end of 2020

Date announced

2020/21 PfG

Progress on implementation since time of last report / CCPu

The Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 came into force in June 2022, banning some of the most problematic single-use plastic products.

A call for evidence on tackling consumption of single-use food containers and other commonly littered or problematic single-use items was undertaken to inform consideration of how we can align with or exceed the standards of the EU Directive. This closed in June 2022

The Single-Use Disposable Cups Charge Advisory Group was established to provide expertise and advice on the implementation of a minimum charge on single-use disposable beverage cups

Have any implementation indicators / milestones been set for this policy? If so, most recent data for progress against these.

N/A

Timeframe and expected next steps

SG has committed to implementing a minimum charge on single-use beverage cups by 2025 which will partially align Scotland with Article 4 of the Directive.

Further work will be undertaken to determine the most appropriate approach to reducing consumption of single-use food containers which will fully align SG with Article 4 of the Directive

Policy

Implementation of our Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for single use drinks containers.

Date announced

CCP 2018

Progress on implementation since time of last report / CCPu

Implementation is at an advanced stage, with very significant investment (money, resource, time) by industry in the scheme.

Circularity Scotland established and approved by the Scottish Ministers in March 2021 as scheme administrator. Start-up funding of £18m secured from investment banks, significant additional investment from members, approx. 70 staff.

Operations, logistics, and plastics reprocessing contract signed in 2022. Contract worth approximately £100m over 10 years, estimated to create 500 jobs. Leases secured and work underway on counting and bulking centre sites (10 in total). Counting centre equipment and vehicle fleet ordered, recruitment (administration, drivers) underway.

Producers representing 95% of scheme articles now registered for DRS. Investment made in updating packaging, systems and supply chain.

Retail collection infrastructure implementation programmes underway, including reverse vending machine orders placed, construction underway to adapt stores, trial stores operating, updates to sale systems, shelf labelling etc. underway.

Planning underway across local authorities, including changes to kerbside recycling, cleansing, infrastructure in schools, council estate.

Announced on 18 April 2023 that scheme launch has been pushed back to 1 March 2024 to provide additional time for businesses to prepare, and to allow for a number of changes to the Regulations.

Have any implementation indicators / milestones been set for this policy? If so, most recent data for progress against these.

Producer registration opened Dec 2022. Over 670 producers have registered accounting for >95% of articles placed on market in Scotland. Deadline for registration has been extended.

Retailer registration opened March 2023

Timeframe and expected next steps

End to end testing to commence early 2024

Scheme due to launch 1 March 2024

Policy

We will also work collaboratively across the public sector developing tools and guidance and a practical approach to influence and empower buyer, supplier and key stakeholder communities to use public procurement to support a green recovery and our wider climate and circular economy ambitions through procurement, embedding climate considerations in organisational procurement strategies by 2021 and reporting progress in annual procurement reports.

Date announced

2020/21 PfG

Progress on implementation since time of last report / CCPu

Continued support of the National Climate and Procurement Forum and associated work streams.

Ongoing promotion and development of a suite of Sustainable Procurement Tools and associated guidance to help public sector bodies embed relevant and proportionate sustainability requirements into the procurement process

Have any implementation indicators / milestones been set for this policy? If so, most recent data for progress against these.

At 31/12/2022, 999 individuals mostly from the public sector in Scotland had completed Climate Literacy e-learning.

For the 2020 to 2021 Annual Procurement reporting cycle, 85 of 118 public bodies (71%) provided evidence in their annual procurement reports of how they are addressing environmental wellbeing and climate change through procurement.

Timeframe and expected next steps

Ongoing development and promotion of tools and guidance

Policy

Reforming extended producer responsibility schemes: We will continue to work with the UK Government and other devolved administrations on reforms to the packaging extended producer responsibility regime, which we expect will deliver improved funding for local authorities in the future.

Date announced

2020/21 PfG

Progress on implementation since time of last report / CCPu

The Packaging Waste (Data Reporting) (Scotland) Regulations 2023 are now in force. These require producers of products to collect and report data on the amount and type of packaging that they place on the market. These data are required to calculate the fees that these producers will be required to pay as part of packaging EPR which is planned to start in 2024.

Have any implementation indicators / milestones been set for this policy? If so, most recent data for progress against these.

N/A

Timeframe and expected next steps

Packaging EPR is planned to start in 2024. The next step will be UK-wide regulations to implement the scheme.

Policy

We are boosting our commitment to building a circular economy, where goods and materials are kept in use for longer. We will deliver this by embedding circular recovery principles in the wider green recovery. Through Zero Waste Scotland and Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), we will intensify our work with industry and businesses to address emissions associated with production, consumption and waste of products/resources; and to promote resource efficiency.

Date announced

CCPu 2020

Progress on implementation since time of last report / CCPu

Publication of the Circular Economy Bill consultation (Delivering Scotland’s circular economy: a consultation on proposals for a Circular Economy Bill - Scottish Government - Citizen Space) and analysis of responses (Delivering Scotland's circular economy: Proposed Circular Economy Bill - Consultation analysis - gov.scot (www.gov.scot))

Publication of Waste Route Map (Delivering Scotland’s circular economy: A Route Map to 2025 and beyond - Scottish Government - Citizen Space (consult.gov.scot))

Have any implementation indicators / milestones been set for this policy? If so, most recent data for progress against these.

N/A

Timeframe and expected next steps

The Circular Economy Bill will be brought forward in this parliamentary term

The Waste Route Map will be published in 2023

Policy

In the context of the latest CCC recommendations and building on progress already made by the sector, we will consider measures to ensure new energy from waste plants are more efficient, and ‘future-proofed’ for Carbon Capture and Storage technology.

Date announced

CCPu 2020

Progress on implementation since time of last report / CCPu

The second report of the Independent review of the role of incineration in Scotland’s waste hierarchy was published in January 2023. This report is considering options to decarbonise residual waste treatment in Scotland, including for existing Energy from waste plants.

NPF4 was formally adopted on 13 February. This includes updates to the Zero Waste policy on energy-from-waste facilities which includes the requirement to show consideration was given to methods to reduce carbon emissions of the facility (for example through carbon capture and storage) and supplying an acceptable decarbonisation strategy aligned with the Scottish Government decarbonisation goals.

Have any implementation indicators / milestones been set for this policy? If so, most recent data for progress against these.

N/A

Timeframe and expected next steps

Publication of Scottish Government’s response to the second report is due shortly.

Policy

As part of our work on developing a route map to 2025, we will undertake a specific and focused piece of work to examine the range of fiscal measures used by other countries to incentivise positive behaviours and to develop proposals to go further in this area.

Date announced

CCPu 2020

Progress on implementation since time of last report / CCPu

Alongside our Circular Economy and Waste Route Map consultation, published in May 2022, we published new research which reviewed international evidence regarding the policies and practices underpinning high household recycling performance. This work analysed case studies of high-performing recycling systems, and included fiscal measures as part of its review.

Follow up research, building on these findings, is now underway to review the specific impact and implementation of fiscal incentives in other countries.

Through the Route Map consultation, we proposed to conduct a review of waste and recycling service charging by 2024 to ensure that we have the right incentives to reduce waste and maximise use of recycling and reuse services. To complement this, the 2022 Circular Economy Bill consultation sought views on further measures that could be taken to incentivise positive household behaviours, to support waste reduction and increased recycling in Scotland.

Have any implementation indicators / milestones been set for this policy? If so, most recent data for progress against these.

N/A

Timeframe and expected next steps

Follow up research, building on these findings, is now underway to review the specific impact and implementation of fiscal incentives in other countries.

Findings will be considered as part of development of the final Circular Economy and Waste Route Map.