Scots are producing much less waste than ever earlier than and sending much less to landfill, in accordance with the Scottish Waste From All Sources 2023 Official Statistics, revealed on 15 July, by the Scottish Surroundings Safety Company (SEPA).
The discharge gives particulars on waste from Scottish households, companies and public companies.
Scotland generated 9.55 million tonnes of waste in 2023 – a 7.5% lower from 2022 and down 20.2% since 2011. The decline displays a long-term development in direction of higher waste prevention and reuse throughout the nation, mentioned SEPA.
The quantity of waste despatched to landfill fell to 1.81 million tonnes, down 21.1% from 2022 to the bottom determine recorded.
Scotland’s landfill charge now stands at 19%, down from over 50% in 2011.
On the similar time the general recycling charge has remained roughly the identical (62.2% down 0.6 proportion factors from 2022).
The biggest single waste class in 2023 was soils, at 2.76 million tonnes, adopted by family and comparable waste at 1.92 million tonnes. Encouragingly, family and comparable waste generated by Scottish houses and companies has fallen by 1.2 million tonnes since 2011.
The statistics additionally spotlight a continued rise in energy-from-waste incineration of Scottish waste, which elevated by 20.2% in 2023 to 1.74 million tonnes, the very best stage so far. This enhance underscores the rising position of energy-from-waste amenities in managing residual waste – materials that can’t presently be recycled or reused.
David Harley, Performing Chief Officer – Regulation Enterprise & Surroundings, mentioned:
“The statistics for 2023 present that the arduous work of communities, councils and companies is paying off. We’re producing much less waste and sending much less to landfill than ever earlier than. However in addition they spotlight the size of the local weather problem nonetheless going through us.
“Whereas the figures present clear progress, in addition they spotlight that we should concentrate on stopping waste within the first place and prioritising reuse and recycling over disposal. So long as non-recyclable waste is produced, power restoration will stay a part of Scotland’s waste hierarchy as a greater various to landfill, however each tonne of waste prevented or recycled is healthier for the local weather, for communities and for Scotland’s journey to web zero.
“This annual information set offers Scotland an necessary alternative to replicate. SEPA’s position is to offer the proof to help knowledgeable choices by coverage makers, business and native authorities.”
Secretary for Local weather Motion Gillian Martin mentioned:
“I welcome these statistics from SEPA which present that the general quantity of waste generated in Scotland continues to fall sooner than the earlier goal set, and is at its lowest ever stage.
“This highlights the numerous, long-term progress we’re making in direction of a round economic system wherein fewer sources are wasted. This is not only good for the surroundings – it would additionally create new financial alternatives and inexperienced jobs right here in Scotland.
“The Round Financial system Act and Round Financial system and Waste Route Map, backed by our £70 million Recycling Enchancment Fund, search to chop waste, create constant and simple to make use of waste companies throughout Scotland, while driving sustainable useful resource use.”
Because the SEPA announcement defined, Scotland’s strategy follows the waste hierarchy – prioritising prevention, then reuse, recycling and restoration, with landfill as a final resort. A lot of the progress that has remodeled the previous decade has been pushed by coverage modifications, reminiscent of recycling companies, duty-of-care requiring waste producers to separate supplies for recycling and lowered residual bin assortment frequency.
