The National Waste Plan
The National Waste Plan is the keystone to
implementing the National Waste Strategy. Launched by SEPA and the
Scottish Executive in February 2003, this document outlines how we
can achieve increased levels of recycling and an overall reduction
in the amount of waste we produce by 2020. Its publication followed
extensive research and consultation by SEPA in partnership with
local authorities, the waste industry and community groups.
A significant proportion of waste produced in
Scotland is sent directly to landfill – a massive misuse of
resources and a major source of greenhouse gas and other
potentially polluting emissions. The National Waste Plan aims to
reduce this practice and outlines how we can work towards a culture
of reducing, reusing and recycling our rubbish. It sets out the
Best Practicable Environmental Option (BPEO) for municipal waste
for each of the 11 waste strategy areas
and describes actions at a national level to improve the management
of commercial and industrial waste.
The National Waste Management Plan (Scotland)
Regulations 2007 have removed the duty to prepare the National
Waste Strategy from SEPA and place the duty on Scottish Ministers,
rather than SEPA, to have a National Waste Management Plan.
In January 2008, the Cabinet Secretary for
Rural Affairs and Environment outlined the Scottish Government’s
statement on a new direction for waste policy in Scotland including
proposals to move Scotland towards zero waste. This announcement
included reference to the Government's review of the National Waste
Plan, that will also include a review of the Area Waste Plans.
For a copy of the 2003 National Waste Plan
click here
(1mb).
A core principle of the national waste plan is
the waste hierarchy, which aims to
encourage the management of waste materials in order to reduce the
amount of waste materials produced, and to recover maximum value
from the wastes that are produced.