Scotland’s Circular Economy and Waste Route Map to 2030
Scotland’s Circular Economy and Waste Route Map Consultation sets out how the Scottish Government intends to deliver its system-wide, comprehensive vision for Scotland's Circular Economy by outlining priority actions that the government and others must take to accelerate progress between now and 2030.
The second consultation closed in March 2024 and the analysis is available here. The final Route Map is expected to be published later in 2024.
Consumption in Scotland is unsustainably high. How we use our resources remains a massive problem in the current climate emergency - but we know the circular economy is the best tool we have to end our throwaway culture and protect the environment.
Background to Scotland’s Circular Economy and Waste Route Map to 2030
Throughout the development of Scotland’s Circular Economy and Waste Route Map, key stakeholders from across a diverse, wide range of sectors have engaged in the process.
A first consultation for the Route Map was launched on 30 May 2022. The consultation set out a wide range of proposals to transform how we produce, consume, and manage Scotland’s resources, and maximise progress towards Scotland’s waste, recycling and emission reduction targets. The first consultation analysis is available here.
In line with stakeholder feedback from the first consultation, the Route Map has been streamlined from seven packages to four strategic aims each with priority actions, providing focus to deliver our circular economy vision for Scotland to 2030.
The four strategic aims are:
- Reduce and reuse
- Modernise recycling
- Decarbonise disposal
- Strengthen the circular economy
Circular Economy Bill
In parallel with the development of the Route Map, the Scottish Government consulted on proposals for a Circular Economy Bill, to bring forward the primary legislation that’s required to underpin some of the key policy measures and interventions.
The Bill will primarily deliver enabling powers that set a framework for the future, including delivery of some of the Circular Economy and Waste Route Map interventions. Read more about the Circular Economy Bill.
Key dates
- First consultation Delivering Scotland's Circular Economy: Route map to 2025 and Beyond was launched on 30th May 2022 – 22nd August 2022
- Analysis of responses to the first consultation was published April 2023
- A second consultation Scotland’s Circular Economy and Waste Route Map to 2030 launched on 18th January 2024 – 15th March 2024
- Analysis of responses to the second consultation was published August 2024
- Final Route Map to be published later in 2024
Webinar recording
Zero Waste Scotland hosted a webinar on Wednesday 21st February 2024 to discuss the draft Circular Economy and Waste Route Map with Scottish Government policy leads from the Circular Economy Division.
To get in touch with one of the team about the Route Map, please contact: RouteMapProject@zerowastescotland.org.uk.
Downloads
Zero Waste Scotland supported the development of the draft Route Map by delivering evidence-based research. This research is published and available to download below:
