3.7 Recycling Market Development

It is clear that if Scotland is to make better progress in recycling, significant effort must be made to develop both national and local markets using recycled materials. Progress can also be made in improving the logistics of supply to markets outside Scotland. Two major initiatives have been established to promote sustainable waste management through the creation of stable markets for recycled materials and products, and by removing barriers to waste minimisation, reuse and recycling.

The ReMaDe Scotland (Recycling Market Development www.remade.org.uk) programme was established in 1999 to identify potential markets and uses for recovered materials in Scotland. It is the key focal point for recycling market development in Scotland and is seeking to increase recovery of waste; create jobs; and support the Area Waste Plan and local recycling businesses through encouraging investment, supporting local partnerships and engaging wider awareness in uses of recovered materials.

WRAP (Waste and Resource Action Programme www.wrap.org.uk) is a £40m UK-wide programme funded for 3 years (established 2001) to change attitudes to waste minimisation and recycling through the creation of stable and efficient markets for recycled materials and products. The programme is looking at material specific research and development projects, compost standards, delivering training programmes, and government procurement. WRAP is working closely with ReMaDe and other organisations, addressing barriers to recycling including market development, supply chain issues, investment packages to reduce business risk in new technologies and processes, and supporting the development of recycling infrastructure.

The successful development of local reprocessing capacity and end-markets, particularly for glass, is a key element of Western Isles BPEO. A number of development projects are underway, including a glass reprocessing project (for aggregate replacement) supported by ReMaDe. The local authority CNES is now a SEPA-accredited packaging reprocessor under the 1996 Packaging (Producer Responsibility) Regulations. Further funding bids have been made to upgrade and develop local glass reprocessing capacity.

Western Isles Enterprise may ultimately have a role in establishing and developing local markets for the reprocessing of collected recyclate. The WSAG will seek to work with the LEC to establish and develop local markets in the long term.

The Western Isles WSAG will continue to work in partnership with ReMade to identify and develop opportunities for local market development.

Action 16
Identify and where possible quantify potential new local markets for reprocessed glass and paper.