Recycling rates continues upward trend

EXT01 – B02

Scotland is edging ever closer to meeting its 40 per cent recycling target by the end of 2010. Figures released today (Tuesday 18 May), by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), show that Scotland's annual recycling and composting rose to 36.4% for the year January to December 2009.

The recycling and composting rate for the third quarter of 2009/10 (October to December 2009) increased to 33.8%, an improvement on 31.7% for the same quarter of 2008/09.

Progress has also been made on stabilising the growth of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) produced in Scotland. Approximately 3.22 million tonnes of MSW were produced in Scotland in the year January to December 2009 a decrease from the 3.35 million tonnes produced in the year January to December 2008.

Kenny Boag, SEPA's National Waste Policy Unit Manager, said:

"It is very encouraging to see Scotland's municipal waste recycling rate continue to rise. However, even greater challenges lie ahead in terms of further increasing recycling, recovering value from waste and reducing the unnecessary wastage of raw materials. This will require new and additional services, facilities and most importantly, changes to our lifestyles so we may rise to the challenge of the Scottish Government's forthcoming Zero Waste Plan."

The recycling figures can be found at www.sepa.org.uk/waste/waste_data/waste_data_reports/landfill_allowance_scheme.aspx

Ends

Notes to editor

  • Quarter 3 figures are from 1 October – 31 December 2009 and rolling year figures are from 1 January 2009 – 31 December 2009. These are reported by local authority area and for Scotland as a whole and can be found at www.sepa.org.uk/waste/waste_data/waste_data_reports/landfill_allowance_scheme.aspx
  • The rolling year data aggregates the last four quarters' returns and is the best means of comparison for annual data as it eliminates seasonal factors. The recycling/composting rate calculated from the rolling year data is used when checking progress towards meeting the recycling/composting targets.
  • Municipal recycling/composting targets are 40% by 2010 and 50% by 2013 (required to contribute to meeting LAS targets), 60% by 2020 and 70% by 2025. These targets relate to calendar years.