The Scottish household waste recycling rate rose by 0.6 per cent in 2014 to 42.8 per cent, according to statistics issued today (30 September) by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) – though under the previous calculation method, it would have reached 43.6 per cent.
The methodology for calculating the household recycling rate changed from 2014, and now excludes household waste composted and diverted from landfill that did not reach quality standards set by Publically Available Specifications (PAS) 100 (compost) and 110 (anaerobic digestate).
In total, Scottish households generated 2.45 million tonnes of waste in 2014. Though this represents a 1.9 per cent increase from the 2013 figure of 2.41 million, it is still 5.7 per cent lower than the amount recorded in 2011 (2.61 million tonnes). Of this waste, 1.2 million tonnes was landfilled (49.3 per cent), down from 53.5 per cent in 2013, a reduction of 78,417 tonnes. This is the first time that the amount landfilled has fallen below 50 per cent.
‘A change in mind is taking hold’
Commenting on the figures, Richard Lochhead, Scottish Environment Secretary, said: “For the first time, Scotland has sent less than half of its household waste to landfill - a significant milestone as we journey to becoming a zero waste nation. In 2007, almost two thirds of Scotland’s household waste ended up in landfill so today’s figures are great news for the environment and highlight the progress being made.
“The Household Recycling Charter the Scottish Government is working with local authorities to develop should help [improve local authority (LA) performance]. Bringing in consistent practices across Scotland should also make it easier and less confusing for people to recycle potentially valuable materials including paper, card, glass, plastics and food waste.
“We are also consulting on how best to make the most of valuable materials by creating a more circular economy.”
Iain Gulland, Chief Executive, Zero Waste Scotland, added: “It’s great that our national recycling rate continues to rise and that our reliance on landfill is at an all-time low.
“The amount of food waste being recycled has doubled since 2011, showing that many householders have embraced the addition of food waste recycling to their collection services. Over 60 per cent of households now have access to food waste recycling, thanks to our Food Waste Programme which supported local authorities to make the changes.
“While the trends show that a change in mind set is taking hold, and we are recognising that material we once thought of as waste has value as a resource which can create economic opportunity for Scotland, there’s still more to be done. Sustaining our good recycling habits, and encouraging others to take them up, is a commitment we can all easily make, with high rewards waiting for Scotland – both economically and environmentally – if we do.”
Breakdown of local authority statistics
Inverclyde recorded the highest recycling rate for 2014, recycling 56.8 per cent of its household waste. The neighbouring councils of North Ayrshire (56.5) and East Renfrewshire (56.1) were close behind.
Perth & Kinross (56.5) also registered a rate above 56 per cent, and would have had the highest rate under previous rules (57.2 per cent)
Of the 32 LAs, 12 had recycling rates of 50 per cent or higher, though this would have been 13 under the previous calculation method. In 2010, the Scottish Government’s Zero Waste Plan set an aspirational target of 50 per cent recycling by 2013, though it admitted that this target was ‘ambitious’.
The lowest rate was recorded by the Shetland Islands (nine per cent), though the group of islands around 160 kilometres from the Scottish mainland also had the highest percentage of diversion from landfill (6,900 tonnes or 69.4 per cent, compared to the second highest, Orkney, with 48 per cent), the majority of it sent to the island group’s 22,000-tonne-a-year incinerator.
Of the mainland LAs, Dumfries and Galloway had the lowest recycling rate (20.8 per cent), and a landfill diversion rate of 45.4 per cent. The area also began to implement a new separated recycling service in August 2014, the impact of which will not be seen until next year’s figures.
The urban centres of Glasgow City and the City of Edinburgh produced the most waste (224,488 and 189,525 respectively). Glasgow recorded a recycling rate of 25.8 per cent, with a 37.2 per cent reported for Edinburgh.
Materials
The SEPA figures also included the tonnage of different materials recycled and reused from household waste.
In 2014, the amount of paper and card recycled fell by 0.6 per cent to 226,492 tonnes. Glass, metals, plastics and waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) all produced more recycled or reused material in 2014 than 2013.
Compared to 2011 figures, tonnage of recycled and reused glass, metals and plastics have increased by 5.9 per cent, 17.6 per cent and 33.3 per cent respectively.
The amount of food waste composted in Scotland reached 132,020 tonnes – 142,408 under the old methodology. This represents a 17.6 per cent increase on 2013’s tonnage (112,245) and a 107.3 per cent increase from the figure reported in 2011 (63,681).
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There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.