3.8 Education and Awareness Raising

The National Waste Strategy: Scotland makes it clear that there needs to be a fundamental shift in attitudes and behaviour of all waste producers in Scotland. There must be an integrated effort of promotion and education to ensure that both householders and businesses are fully aware of the objectives of the AWP and have an opportunity to contribute, particularly to the proposed waste recycling and recovery arrangements and waste minimisation initiatives.

The Scottish Waste Awareness Group (SWAG) is a resource for the NWSS to deliver public awareness campaigns to the public. These would be carried out both qualitatively (through focus groups) and quantitatively (by door-to-door surveying). Research has been conducted across Scotland to collate baseline data on public attitudes, behaviour and needs. The information generated from this exercise is being used to develop a national resource of promotional material that will support any subsequent local campaign strategies and ensure national consistency of the key 'Reduce, Reuse and Recycle' message when engaging with the local community.

SWAG will support the WSAG on the local delivery of campaigns tailored to the requirements of the WSA on domestic waste management and reduction throughout the whole of Scotland. In order to focus these campaigns a steering group will be formed comprising representatives from SEPA, local authorities, any other significant education providers and SWAG.

Action 5
WSAG to develop programmes and events targeting stakeholder involvement for specific objectives to develop recycling markets.

Action 6
WSAG to target stakeholder involvement for specific promotion and education objectives.