More than 64,000 tonnes of plastic packaging is disposed of in household general waste bins and sent to landfill in Scotland each year, costing around £11 million.
The figures were released today by Zero Waste Scotland, in coordination with World Environment Day (5 June 2018) – a global day which encourages awareness and action for the protection of the environment.
Zero Waste Scotland has been tasked with designing options for Scotland’s planned deposit return scheme (l-r) Iain Gulland and Roseanna Cunningham
According to Zero Waste Scotland, on average each Scottish household is throwing away 27kg of food and drink plastic packaging that could have been put in relevant recycling bins.
This plastic could have been worth £5.7 million if recycled, but instead costs Scotland, and the relevant local authorities, an estimated £5.3 million to send to landfill, Zero Waste Scotland said.
‘Beat Plastic Pollution’ – the theme for World Environment Day 2018 – is a call for action on plastics pollution. Nearly one third of plastic packaging used globally escapes collection systems, Zero Waste Scotland reports.
DRS
Scotland has committed to phase out the use of non-recyclable plastics and is currently designing a deposit return scheme for drinks packaging that could see recycling rates of more than 90%, Zero Waste Scotland said.
Scotland’s cabinet Secretary for the environment, climate change and land reform, Roseanna Cunningham, said: “This year alone the Scottish Government has announced plans to ban plastic-stemmed cotton buds and will shortly be banning rinse-off personal care products containing plastic microbeads as part of Scotland, and the EU’s, vision to reduce single-use plastics and ensure any single-use plastics are easily recyclable by 2030. Our newly set up expert panel is now considering what further steps can be taken on items like plastic straws and disposable cups.
“This World Environment Day I’d like to ask people to do what they can to reduce their own use of single use plastic, by reusing what they can and recycling when reuse is not possible. If we work together we can make our vision our reality.”
It is estimated that over 20 million plastic bottles are littered in Scotland each year and that approximately 120,000 tonnes of plastic packaging waste is produced from households in Scotland each year, according to Zero Waste Scotland.
“There’s an enormous opportunity to turn single-use plastic bottles into a valuable resource if placed in the correct recycling bins.”
Iain Gulland
Zero Waste Scotland
‘Opportunity’
Iain Gulland, Chief Executive, Zero Waste Scotland, said: “Plastic is a valuable resource, and one which can help generate additional income when recycled properly, yet we are throwing it away, adding to pollution in Scotland, and wasting public money that could have been invested in schools, parks or local facilities. There’s an enormous opportunity to turn single-use plastic bottles into a valuable resource if placed in the correct recycling bins.
“We have come so far with our recycling capabilities, so when it’s not possible to reduce or reuse plastic we ask everyone to put their used plastic bottles and food packing into the relevant recycling bin where they can. This simple step not only saves the environment, it saves council tax funds and generates money for your local authority area.”
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Source: letsrecycle.com Plastic
