Why is this National Indicator important?
A reduction in the amount of waste generated in Scotland is an indicator of greater resource efficiency and more sustainable consumption behaviour - addressing the first step in the waste hierarchy ('Reduce, Re-use, Recycle, Recover'). In the first instance, the indicator measures municipal solid waste with a view to focusing on household waste when data becomes available. Further waste data will be added as the data collection is improved.
What will influence this National Indicator?
Three key factors influence the amount of waste generated. These are:
- Rate of income and consumption growth
- Consumption preferences and
- Resource efficiency and waste avoidance in business
What is the Government's role?
The Scottish Government has a vision for a zero-waste society where all waste is seen as a resource. Scotland's Zero Waste Plan sets out radical new measures, including the development of a Waste Prevention Programme for all wastes, ensuring the prevention and reuse of waste is central to all our actions and policies.
How are we performing?
There has been a reduction in the amount of municipal solid waste arising in recent years. The latest figure of 3.14 million tonnes during 2010/11 is a reduction of 56 kilotonnes (1.9%) compared with 3.20 million tonnes in 2009/10.
The data for this chart is available at the bottom of the page
Source: Scottish Environmental Protection Agency
Criteria for recent change
The evaluation is based on: any difference within +/- 1 percent of last year's figure suggests that the position is more likely to be maintaining than showing any change. A decrease of 1 percent or more suggests the position is improving; whereas an increase of 1 percent or more suggests the position is worsening.
Further Information
For information on general methodological approach, please click here.
Scotland Performs Technical Note
Who are our partners?
Local Authorities
Scottish Environment Protection Agency
Zero Waste Scotland
Related Strategic Objectives
Safer and Stronger
Greener