What is the SNP doing to increase recycling in Scotland?

Household recycling is at its highest ever levels – with over 45 per cent of household waste recycled in 2017. And, for the first time ever, exceeded the amount of waste sent to landfill.

The SNP Scottish Government introduced the Waste (Scotland) Regulations, which require all businesses and organisations to separate key materials for recycling, while most food businesses are also required to separate food waste collection.

Additionally, in 2014 the Scottish Government introduced a 5p charge for plastic carrier bags, which has seen carrier bag use reduced by 80 per cent.

Building on the success of the plastic bag charge, we have announced an ambitious new Deposit Return Scheme, with shops which sell drinks set to offer 20p deposit refunds to customers. The scheme will include aluminium and steel cans, glass bottles and PET plastic containers.