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Threat to landfill targets
Audit Scotland has warned that delays to the commissioning of new residual waste treatment infrastructure could result in Scotland’s failure to meet the 2013 landfill diversion target.
A lack of organisational capacity within councils - to put bids together to the required standard- and within the (then) Scottish Executive – to quickly process the bids - was cited as a contributing factor to delays in vital infrastructure delivery.
In its report Sustainable Waste Management, Audit Scotland also noted that whilst MSW recycling has increased to 25%, performance of the 67 recycling schemes across the country varies considerably. This has made it difficult to assess which schemes offer best value.
Scotland’s current rate of 25% recycling has been achieved through £89 million of SWF funding and this would need to increase to £271 million by 2020 to achieve Scotland’s target of 55% recycling. Over this same period councils’ household waste management expenditure would need to increase to £580 million, from current levels of £351milion, to ensure landfill diversion targets were met.
The report’s recommendations include:
Councils and the Scottish Government should undertake a technical evaluation of kerbside recycling systems to identify the most cost effective systems to achieve the levels of recycling required to meet Landfill Directive targets. They should also adopt a more consistent approach to recycling using a small number of best practice schemes.
Councils should ensure that their current recycling schemes offer Best Value by conducting option appraisals before extending their recycling schemes. Option appraisals should include market testing as a way of demonstrating best value.
The Scottish Government and councils should work together to reach a decision on the facilities required for treating residual waste to achieve the 2010, 2013 and 2020 landfill targets. An action plan showing the milestones in this process should be published as a matter of urgency.
The Scottish Government should work in partnership with councils, SEPA and other agencies to ensure the effective procurement of facilities for treating residual waste.
The report
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