Award of RESAS/019/22 - External Analysis to consultation on ‘Delivering Scotland’s circular econ...

Description

6. We are committed to developing Scotland’s circular economy –Making Things Last, our circular economy strategy, sets out the opportunities to keep materials in use for as long as possible. In 2020’s Climate Change Plan update, we set out our vision for a circular economy, where we reduce the demand for raw material in products; encourage reuse and repairs through responsible production; and recycle waste and energy to maximise the value of any waste that is generated. We want Scotland to move towards a circular economy where our resources are kept in high value for as long as possible and more of the re-processing of recyclable material is carried out in Scotland. 7. To deliver this vision, Scotland has several ambitious 2025 waste and recycling targets. Scotland has made significant long-term progress towards these targets. Emissions from the waste and resources sector have reduced by almost three quarters over the past 20 years. However, progress has slowed in recent years and we know we have more to do if we are to meet all our targets in full. 8. Our Programme for Government 2020-21 and Scotland's Climate Change Plan update set out our determination to accelerate progress, and commitment to develop a Route Map to reduce waste and meet our targets. 9. We have a range of transformational measures already in place or underway, including bans on problematic single-use plastic items, implementation of Scotland's Deposit Return Scheme, reform of extended producer responsibility for packaging and our £70 million investment in local authority recycling infrastructure. 10. Building on measures already in place or underway, the Route Map consultation proposes a range of additional legislative and non-legislative measures that can positively contribute to the delivery of the targets and make progress towards carbon reduction and delivery of a circular economy. Proposals are grouped into seven change packages, which span action across the whole circular economy: - Promote responsible consumption and production (including reducing consumption of single-use items, promoting product design and stewardship and mainstreaming reuse) - Reduce food waste from households and businesses - Improve recycling from households - Improve recycling from commercial businesses - Embed circular construction practices - Minimise the impact of disposal of waste that cannot be reused or recycled - Cross-cutting themes: Strengthen our data and evidence, sustainable procurement practices, and skills and training 11. To note, we are consulting on the Route Map in parallel to a Circular Economy Bill. The Circular Economy Bill sets out the legislative powers we are proposing to take to deliver a circular economy, which includes some of the interventions explored in our Route Map consultation. [This tender does not include analysis of the consultation responses to the Bill consultation.]