SCOTLAND’S ZERO WASTE PLAN

The Scottish Government has published its Zero Waste Plan which contains ambitious targets for recycling exceeding those laid down in the Waste Framework Directive.

To invest in the infrastructure needed to deliver these targets, the Zero Waste Plan must offer an enabling policy framework which provides SESA’s Members with confidence in procurement mechanisms and in the ability of the planning system to permit the required treatment capacity. To this end, the industry should be a key partner in the development of regulations on proposals for landfill bans, separate waste collections and mandatory requirements on businesses to source segregate wastes.

SESA welcomes the Scottish Government’s strong focus on recycling and composting, however, we have previously noted that a cap on EfW provides a number of practical challenges for the cost competitive delivery of the necessary infrastructure. Whilst SESA understands that the cap will be phased out and replaced by measures to regulate waste inputs to EfW plants, the 25% cap has been retained within the Zero Waste Plan.

As a priority, the Scottish Government must issue guidance to local authorities on transitional arrangements in applying and interpreting the cap otherwise applications for EfW or current appeals will continue to face delays and uncertainty.
The Zero Waste Plan can be accessed here.

Click here for a summary of key issues.

ENDS