Scotland’s Circular Economy Bill Passed
Scottish Ministers have unanimously passed a bill to incentivise circular economy practices. The aim is to make reduce, reuse and recycle the default position for households, businesses and councils across the country.
The Bill will use a carrot-and-stick approach to drive moves towards Net Zero targets. It will encourage the development of environmentally conscious habits, product design, organisations and systems. From the concept design stages, goods and services will focus on minimising material consumption and waste, while maximising value.
The Ministers were united in this decision, but it has divided opinion among residents and business owners. Some feel the new measures are harsh or unfair. Meanwhile, others accept that a robust approach is needed to address the climate crisis.
What Does the Circular Economy Bill Mean for Scottish Residents, Businesses & Local Authorities?
The Bill presents a framework that promotes resource efficiency and a long-term sustainable economy.
Measures include:
- Adding charges to single-use items that are being produced and sold, with single-use beverage cups being the first item on the agenda.
- Investing in schemes that promote the repair & refurbishment of goods to extend their lifespan.
- Limiting the volume of unsold goods that go to waste
- Civil penalties for drivers that drop litter, which can include seizing the vehicle
- Promotion of schemes that enable the sharing of resources, such as community tool hire
- Changes to household waste collection and recycling processes informed by research into increased recycling rates, investment in equipment and data recording when zoning is introduced
As the Circular Economy Bill was only passed on 26 June, its early days, but we’re interested to see if Scotland can lead the way in sustainable practices.
