Scottish firms encouraged to reduce landfill

Environmental update 31/08/2011

Businesses must try and do more to reduce the amount of items going to landfill, according to a new Scottish study.

Firms which produce electronic equipment, vehicles and packaging are being specifically targeted by the Scottish government to dispose of the items in a responsible manner.

The government-produced report also reveals how higher levels of responsibility by the producers of landfill waste can contribute towards the prevention and reduction of waste.

Some of the suggestions contained within the report include Scotland-specific targets for the recovery of packaging waste in a bid to drive up local recycling, Scottish control of end of life vehicle (ELV) scrappage and new deposit return schemes for drinks packaging.

Richard Lochhead, Scotland’s Environment Secretary, said, “Local authorities have the main responsibility for dealing with household waste, but manufacturers and retailers also have a responsibility to play their part in preventing waste and encouraging recycling.

“As Scotland's Zero Waste Plan is driven forward, there is scope to consider how existing producer responsibility regimes may more effectively influence and improve the management of waste and resources,” he added.

Mr Lochhead went on to say that ensuring the uptake of responsibility amongst producers was part of Scotland's drive to see waste treated as a "valuable resource" that could lead to environmentally-friendly power generation.

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