Circular Economy: Proposals for Legislation

Overview

This consultation seeks views on the Scottish Government’s proposals for legislation to develop Scotland’s circular economy. A circular economy is one in which resources are kept in use for as long as possible. It can benefit the environment, by cutting waste and carbon emissions; the economy, by improving productivity and opening up new markets; and communities, by providing local employment opportunities.  

The proposals in the consultation form part of wider plans for a step-change in our approach to reducing, reusing and recycling materials, as part of our transition to net zero emissions. There are two parts to the consultation: proposals for a circular economy bill, including measures to charge for items such as single-use disposable beverage cups; and proposals for two secondary regulations, relating to public bodies’ procurement strategies and to increasing the minimum single-use carrier bag charge from 5p to 10p.

Why your views matter

The focus of this consultation is to gather views on our planned approach to developing a circular economy in Scotland. Consultation responses will be analysed and will inform our policy, including the development of the proposed circular economy bill and secondary legislation.

Read the consultation paper. 

What happens next

We would like to thank all of those who responded to the consultation. A report analysing the responses was published on 29 May 2020.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Scottish Government announced on 1 April 2020 that the proposed Circular Economy Bill would not be introduced in the present Parliamentary session. The Scottish Government remains committed to developing the circular economy in Scotland and is considering other means of continuing to achieve our objectives. The responses to the consultation will be used to help inform that work.

Once we are operating in a post-COVID world, we will work with the Parliament to consider how we effectively manage the secondary legislation we hoped to deliver.

Read the independent analysis.