Key Scottish Environment Statistics 2009
Annual publication containing summary of key statistics on environmental trends in Scotland
Waste
Municipal Solid Waste ( MSW) R4,5: 2000/01-2008/09
Million tonnes
Million Tonnes
2000/01 |
2004/05 |
2005/06 |
2006/07 |
2007/08 |
2008/09 1 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSW arisings |
3.21 |
3.41 |
3.41 |
3.44 |
3.41 |
3.29 |
MSW recycled / composted |
0.15 |
0.60 |
0.84 |
0.98 |
1.08 |
1.13 |
Percentage recycled/ composted |
4.6 |
17.5 |
24.6 |
28.4 |
31.7 |
34.3 |
Irrespective of the EU Landfill Directive targets, the strong dependence on landfill for waste management in Scotland is not sustainable since it involves the depletion of both renewable and finite natural resources. In addition, extracting and processing raw materials may consume large quantities of energy, release pollutants and destroy landscapes and ecosystems. Reducing, reusing and recovering waste are key sustainable development and Zero Waste objectives.
Municipal waste arisings rose from 3.21 million tonnes in 2000/01 to 3.44 million tonnes in 2006/07 before falling to 3.29 million tonnes in 2008/09. Over the same period the percentage of municipal waste recycled or composted rose from 4.6% to 34.3%. This reflects an increase in the amount of material recycled or composted of more than 670%.
The Scottish Government have set a target to increase the percentage of municipal waste being recycled or composted to 70% by 2025 with interim targets of 40% by 2010, 50% by 2013 and 60% by 2020. In addition, there is also a target of stopping growth in municipal waste by 2010.
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