Circular Economy Bill passed in Scotland

The Scottish government have voted unanimously to pass the Circular Economy Bill.

First proposed in 2023, the Bill set out a framework for the Scottish government to set both circular economy targets and a circular economy strategy.

The legislation provides Scottish Ministers with powers to introduce measures that will develop Scotland's circular economy, including:

• waste reduction measures;
• improved waste monitoring;
• ensuring householders and businesses dispose of waste correctly; and
• increasing penalties for littering from vehicles.

Scottish Ministers will be able to:

• set legal targets for delivery of a circular economy to measure progress in transforming the economy;
• establish local recycling targets - this will enable them to mirror the experience of Wales which currently has the best recycling rate in the UK;
• restrict the disposal of unsold consumer goods, to prevent good products ending up in landfill;
• place charges on single-use items like disposable cups in order to encourage the move to reusable alternatives;
• provide local authorities additional enforcement powers, allowing them to crack down on flytipping and littering from cars.

Gillian Martin, Minister for Climate Action commented: "There are huge opportunities in having an economy which makes reuse and recycling the default choice for Scottish households, businesses and the public sector. We have already seen businesses creating jobs by turning what we might otherwise throw away into valuable new products and services.

“The measures in the Circular Economy Bill will give local Councils and the Scottish Government the powers needed to support the sustainable use of resources and cut greenhouse gas emissions. For people to do the right thing for the planet, it is crucial that everyone experiences a modern, easy to use waste service.

“We will continue to work with local authorities and householders to co-design how these powers are implemented to take account of different circumstances and needs on our journey towards a truly circular economy.”

Friends of the Earth Scotland’s circular economy spokesperson Kim Pratt said the new law "could be a turning point for Scotland as we make the necessary shift away from our current throwaway culture."

For more information, see the:

• Circular Economy Bill.