Recycling now a ‘real success story’

RECYCLING in Scotland has rocketed past 60 per cent for the first time ever.

Composting and re-use has also hit a record high while waste for landfills is the lowest since 2011, according to figures released by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa).

In 2016, 6.96million tons (61 per cent) of waste was recycled, composted or prepared for re-use, more than half a million tons more than in 2015.

In the same year more households and businesses recycled food waste, with 605,614 tons of organic rubbish being recycled by composting or anaerobic digestion facilities – an increase of 102,580 tons (20 per cent) from 2015 and a 78 per cent boost since 2011.

Total waste has fallen by more than half a million tons since 2015, with Scotland achieving the lowest quantity of rubbish being landfilled since 2011.

Terry A’Hearn, chief executive of Sepa, said: ‘Recycling is a real Scottish success story and a simple daily step that communities, corner shops or corporates can take to build a more sustainable Scotland.’

Environment Secretary, Roseanna Cunningham, said: ‘We are making progress towards our 2025 target of 70 per cent, and our work to promote recycling is paying off.’

Iain Gulland, the chief executive of Zero Waste Scotland, said: ‘These figures show progress towards a more circular economy – more food waste being recycled, less going to landfill, and less climate-harming biodegradable waste.’