Delivering Scotland’s circular economy: a consultation on proposals for a Circular Economy Bill

Closed 22 Aug 2022

Opened 30 May 2022

Feedback updated 3 Jan 2024

We asked

Our consultation Delivering Scotland’s circular economy: a consultation on proposals for a Circular Economy Bill set out a number of areas seeking views on whether to take powers within a new Circular Economy Bill. These were split into 4 sections: Strategic Interventions; Reduce and Reuse; Recycle; and Littering and Improving Enforcement.

The consultation opened on 30 May 2022 and closed on 22 August 2022.

You said

During this consultation period, 1,681 responses were received, of which 1,333 were organised campaign responses from Friends of the Earth Scotland. There were 142 responses from organisations including waste management sectors, environmental consultancies and public interest. The provisions on which we consulted were generally supported.

A full analysis of the consultation responses is available.

We did

The Scottish Government introduced the Circular Economy Bill on 13 June 2023. The Bill will establish the legislative framework to support Scotland’s transition to a zero waste and circular economy, significantly increase reuse and recycling rates, and modernise and improve waste and recycling services

Provisions in the Bill include;

  • Circular Economy Strategy
  • Circular Economy Targets
  • Restrictions on the Disposal of Unsold Consumer Goods
  • Charges for single-use items
  • Household Waste
  • Littering from Vehicles
  • Powers to search and seize vehicles
  • Reporting on waste, surpluses, etc

You can see the full publication on the parliament website.

Published responses

View submitted responses where consent has been given to publish the response.

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 consultation sets out a number of areas in which we are seeking views on whether to take powers within a new Circular Economy Bill. These are split into 4 sections: Strategic Interventions; Reduce and Reuse; Recycle; and Littering and Improving Enforcement.

The proposals in the consultation form part of the wider plans for a step-change in our approach to reducing, reusing and recycling materials as part of our transition to net zero emissions.

Read the consultation paper 

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 the circular economy bill which will be laid in Parliament.

The Scottish Government wants to make sure a broad range of people can have their say on the proposals contained within the bill as Scotland transitions to a reuse society.

Interests

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