National Waste Plan
Forewords
Ross Finnie (Minister for Environment and Rural Development)
Every year in Scotland we bury millions of pounds, squandering valuable resources and contaminating the environment on which we all depend. Waste is just that – a squandering of wealth, material resource and energy. It is for this reason that tackling waste is at the heart of the Scottish Executive’s approach to sustainable development.
This National Waste Plan forms the keystone in the implementation of our National Waste Strategy. It sets out the basis for a fundamental shift in the way we manage Scotland’s resources. This plan is about the real behavioural change required to minimise the waste we generate, and the opportunities that stem from a more rational approach to resource management. Our vision is for a resource-efficient culture where waste reduction, reuse and recycling are a part of everyday life for everyone. It pulls together the 11 Area Waste Plans which are being published in parallel. The area plans are the result of painstaking work by the Scottish Executive, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, local authorities and other stakeholders to promote consensus on the right way forward – the best practicable environmental option – for sustainable waste management in each area.
The National Waste Plan also sets out a serious, long-term programme to deliver this change. Addressing waste seriously means:
- setting realistic targets at national and local level, focusing efforts on municipal waste and also moving to address commercial and industrial wastes;
- recognising that the move away from over-reliance on landfill will come at a cost. We are investing heavily, allocating £230 million over the next three years through the Strategic Waste Fund to enable local authorities to recover wasted resources and put the Area Waste Plans into effect;
- recognising that for the foreseeable future we must employ a mix of waste management techniques. Increasing recycling and composting is at the core of our approach, but waste-to-energy and landfill have valid roles to play in dealing with the waste that is left;
- tighter regulation of all forms of waste management and disposal to provide a cleaner, greener and safer environment;
- recognising that the change cannot be achieved by government alone. The Plan presents challenges to all of us: to local authorities and SEPA to implement the Area Waste Plans; to planning authorities to make provision for the necessary facilities: and to individual householders. It is particularly important that local authorities work together where there are opportunities to achieve better value for money. The Plan sets out how the Scottish Executive will continue to work in partnership – with local government, SEPA, industry and the voluntary sector – to achieve sustainable waste management;
- building on the success of existing voluntary and local authority schemes for recycling and composting; and
- harnessing what we know to be the enthusiasm of the vast majority of the Scottish people by providing convenient, easy to use facilities for recycling and composting.
I am delighted to introduce this Plan and congratulate all those who have been involved in its production.
Ross Finnie
Minister for Environment and Rural Development
Ken Collins (SEPA Chairman)
The publication of this National Waste Plan represents a significant milestone in delivering Scotland's National Waste Strategy. The development of the plan has involved, at different stages, all key stakeholders in Scotland. Progressing the eleven Area Waste Plans through an open and consultative partnership process has been tough, but has ensured a very much wider understanding of the issues than ever before and the ability to build for the future on wide ownership and clearer priorities for delivery.
SEPA is proud to have the key co-ordinating role that was given to us by the Executive when the National Waste Strategy was launched in December 1999. To do this we have worked closely with the Executive, Local Government, the waste industry, NGOs and other stakeholders in carrying out this important work. Using the twin concepts of Best Practicable Environmental Option and Life Cycle Assessment in determining the Area Waste Plans has for the first time allowed us to report the considerable environmental benefits that will arise from this radical reassessment of Scotland's waste management needs. We also see these in a clearer economic context. The aim is for a modern waste management system in Scotland that protects our environment and communities whilst moving Scotland closer to a more sustainable and resource efficient future.
What is clear, however is that we need to maintain the partnership approach to ensure we all continue to work together to deliver the aspirations and targets set out in the National and Area Waste Plans. SEPA will continue to work hard with the Executive and others as part of this process of constructive collaboration. In particular, if we are to carry this demanding process forward together, all producers of waste must be prepared to take greater responsibility for the rubbish
they generate.
I commend this plan to you and ask simply that this matter be taken seriously. Then, by striving towards excellence in resource and waste management, we can all contribute to making Scotland a safer, cleaner and more prosperous place to live and play our part in looking after our global environment. There is still, as was said at the launch of the National Waste Strategy, no option but change.
Ken Collins
SEPA Chairman
Document as a pdf