This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Group sets out to tackle waste mountain
02/07/2002
The Scottish Waste Strategy Advisory Group held its first ever meeting in Edinburgh today.
The Group has been set up to to promote waste minimisation and to tackle Scotland's poor recycling record.
Commenting before he chaired the meeting, Environment and Rural Development Minister Ross Finnie said that a concerted effort not just from public bodies, but from the business world and from individual households was needed to tackle the problem.
He said:
"Scotland faces a huge challenge to move to more sustainable waste management practices. We currently have one of the worst records on recycling in Europe. The vast bulk of our municipal waste goes to landfill.
"The National Waste Strategy sets out a programme to make better use of resources, e.g. by promoting waste minimisation and recycling. So far work has focussed on planning the way forward with municipal wastes.
"Now we need to broaden the focus, for example to include all business and industrial waste. We also need to address public attitudes - to see how households and businesses can be encouraged to take responsibility for reducing waste - and be sure that we are doing all we can to promote markets for recycled materials."
"That's what I want to see this Group helping to drive forward, so that everyone can play their part in reducing Scotland's 'waste mountain'
The group, containing representatives from the public, private and voluntary sectors, has been set up to examine ways to ensure the National Waste Strategy is delivered, and to promote waste minimisation and recycling. Organisations involved in the Group are:
Scottish Executive
SEPA
CoSLA
Scottish Enterprise
Highlands & Islands Enterprise
Institute of Wastes Management Scottish Centre Council
Scottish Environmental Services Association
Confederation of British Industries (Scotland)
Remade Scotland
Recycling Advisory Group Scotland
Scottish Waste Awareness Group
Scottish Environment Link
It is envisaged that other