Scotland launches new strategy to encourage recycling

A new strategy that aims to reduce litter and increase recycling has been launched by the Scottish Government. Around 250 million bits of visible litter are dropped in Scotland every […]

A new strategy that aims to reduce litter and increase recycling has been launched by the Scottish Government.

Around 250 million bits of visible litter are dropped in Scotland every year, damaging the environment and posing a risk to public health, with littering and fly-tipping costing around £53 million of public money, according to the Government.

The five-year ‘Towards a Litter-free Scotland’ strategy sets out how the nation can benefit from better environmental quality and safer communities in place of the current problems of litter and illegal waste dumping which have a negative effect on the community.

Scottish Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “Littering is literally throwing money away, especially when you consider that discarded plastic bottles, aluminium cans and other materials would have been worth an estimated £1.2 million when recycled.

“Working towards a litter-free Scotland will benefit individuals and society, our environment and the economy. This strategy sets out how the Scottish Government is providing leadership on waste prevention, working with our partners to reduce litter and increase recycling.”

The Scottish Government, with Zero Waste Scotland, has taken forward legislation to increase the fixed penalties for litter and fly-tipping, from £50 each to £80 and £200 and introduce a charging scheme for single-use carrier bags.

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