Set national reuse targets
Until recently Scotland currently had a clear national recycling target but has never had targets for reuse. This has resulted in poor prioritisation of reuse investment and system change compared to recycling and other activities lower down the waste hierarchy1.
The Circular Economy (Act) Act 2024 includes reuse targets on the list of possible circular economy targets that could be included in the Circular Economy Strategy, which is welcome, but these must be confirmed and meaningful targets set as soon as possible.
Clear and ambitious preparations for reuse targets are necessary to support prioritising reuse over recycling, in line with the principles of the waste hierarchy. These preparation for reuse targets should be mandated at a Scottish level and reported alongside existing recycling targets for local authorities.
The Waste Hierarchy
Where possible local authorities should partner with existing third-sector organisations who have been leading in relation to reuse in Scotland.
There is an urgent need for research to establish the best way to measure and report reuse and preparation for reuse levels in Scotland. However, since reuse and preparation for reuse targets are being used successfully elsewhere in Europe, such targets should work well here and we should learn from these international examples.
Once targets are set, Scotland needs a clear process to monitor and report actual progress against targets on a local authority and national level, and to act when progress is insufficient.
At a European level, work is progressing in France, Spain, and Belgium to implement reuse or preparing for reuse targets, and ambitious preparation for reuse targets are about to be implemented in Portugal. And the EU is introducing 2030 re-use targets including for alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks packaging. All this demonstrates that such targets are feasible.
It should be noted that targets by themselves do not deliver change, they need to be supported by investment and other policy actions. But they are important to focus attention and show when progress is inadequate.
For further information:
- Policy Paper for Scotland Circular Economy Bill, Circular Communities Scotland, May 2022, https://www.circularcommunities.scot/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Scotlands-Circular-Economy-Bill-Policy-Paper.pdf
- See also the policy ‘Carbon and material consumption reduction targets’ in this chapter.
For example, in Scotland as well as previously having recycling targets and reporting, we have a recycling charter, recycling centres and a recycling infrastructure fund.
