Frequently asked questions

The Route Map has been developed in partnership between Scottish Government, SEPA and Zero Waste Scotland.

The Circular Economy Bill consultation has been developed by Scottish Government, with support from Zero Waste Scotland.

The Programme for Government 2020-21 and Scotland’s Climate Change Plan Update set out Scottish Government’s determination to accelerate progress, and committed to develop a Route Map to reduce waste and meet our targets.

The Programme for Government 2021-2022 included a commitment to bring forward a Circular Economy Bill later in this parliamentary session, helping to facilitate the development of an economy which reduces demand for raw materials, designs products to last as long as possible and encourages reuse, repair and recycling.

Both the Route Map and Circular Economy Bill are ‘open’ for consultation for a 12 week period, running from Monday 30th May to Monday 22nd August.

During the consultation period, there will be lots of opportunity to engage in the process and feedback any comments and views for consideration.

Whilst attending events is a great way to engage with the consultations and find out more, the best way to make your views count is to submit a response to the consultations.

Both consultations outline key activities to move Scotland towards a more circular economy where we make better use of materials and resources, reducing the amount of stuff we use, keeping it in use for longer and making sure it is recycled wherever possible at end-of-life.

The Route Map is specifically aimed at maximising progress towards our waste targets.

The Circular Economy Bill will establish the legislative framework to support Scotland’s transition to a zero waste and circular economy, significantly increase reuse and recycling rates, and modernise and improve waste and recycling services. Some measures will feature in both documents as they require legislation and focus on meeting the waste targets.

The consultations have been developed together to ensure they take account of the actions across documents. The responses will be considered jointly, and any future implementation will require consistency and clarity between the objectives and legislation.

Feedback from the Consultation period will be used to develop and confirm interventions and actions to be taken forward in the final Route Map and to finalise legislative proposals in the Circular Economy Bill.

The Scottish Government will undertake analysis of consultation responses in autumn 2022 in order to understand the full range of views on proposals, and identify any additional actions that have not been considered in this consultation.

It is likely that the cumulative environmental effects from the Route Map will be significant, and that a Strategic Environmental Assessment is therefore likely to be required. Further evidence regarding the environmental impact of proposals would be welcomed, which will help inform the strategic environmental assessment process for the Route Map, in line with legislative requirements.

Consultation is an essential part of the policy-making process. It gives us the opportunity to consider different opinions and expertise on a proposed area of work.

Responses will be collated and then analysed and used as part of the decision-making process, along with a range of other available information and evidence. 

Reports will be published on the analysis for both the Route Map and the Circular Economy Bill.

The consultation documents are available online and contain questions for consideration. 

It is not a requirement to respond to all questions – rather the focus should be where consultees have specific experience, expertise or hold a view on specific actions and interventions being proposed.

The Scottish Government is keen to hear a wide range of views to ensure key opportunities and challenges in developing the final document and actions are taken into account.  

There will be a series of events, webinars and workshops that are taking place over the 12-week consultation period which will allow respondents the opportunity to ask questions before submitting their response. These events are entirely optional – the most important action you can take is reading and responding to the consultation(s) so that responses are assessed equally and equitably.

Impact Assessments will be developed which account for the costs and benefits of all final proposals for both the Route Map and the Circular Economy Bill.

The initial versions of these are available and a link is provided in the consultation documents.

Meeting our targets for waste and net zero, and creating a circular economy will require investment across a range of sectors but we believe the benefits to people and the environment can be achieved with sensible investment.

A circular economy keeps valuable materials flowing through our economy, driving greater resource productivity and decreasing costs for businesses, the public sector and households. Food waste alone costs the average Scottish household £440 each year. As we face the current cost of living crisis, the rapid transition to a more circular economy is needed more than ever.

The Route Map takes a view that not only considers the targets but looks beyond in terms of our carbon commitments and our need to deliver a more resource focused approach in everything we do. The packages reflect our system-wide approach, and prioritisation to prevent and reduce waste generation, to ensure we optimise reuse, and where resources are no longer required for their original purpose we recycle to the highest standards possible. Where waste is unavoidable, we are looking to ensure treatment and disposal options are most appropriate in terms of causing the least environmental harm possible.

The measures proposed within the packages build on and complement each other.

Many of the measures cut across several targets and this gives each one sufficient clarity and priority without duplication.

The Route Map acknowledges and builds upon the intentions, direction and achievements of previous waste related strategies, embracing the good work that has gone on previously at the same time as acknowledging where more needs to be done. For example, Ministers had not committed to meeting net zero by 2045 when Making Things Last was published. The pace of change required is significant and we are committed to ensuring that future action is appropriate to achieve the changes.

It is clear that further system-wide changes are required if we are to meet our 2025 targets in full and deliver required emissions reductions. The consultations outline the tangible actions the Scottish Government and others must take to accelerate progress, and the tools we will put in place to enable everyone to play their part.

Our consultations seek views on the strategic approach to meeting our goals between now and 2025, and look beyond to 2030.

Making maximum progress will require public, private and third sector investment.  Some of the most impactful activities are likely to require significant investment and support.

Following the consultation, the Scottish Government will assess the final costs and benefits in the Impact Assessments and provide clarity on the investment and support mechanisms to achieve the goals and objectives.

A circular economy is part of the solution to our global climate emergency - one in which products, services and systems are designed to maximise their value and minimise waste. 

It keeps valuable materials flowing through our economy, driving greater resource productivity and decreasing costs for businesses, the public sector and households.

We need to rapidly make the transition to a Circular Economy in order to tackle the climate crisis. The Circular Economy Bill will provide the legislative framework required to support Scotland’s transition to a zero waste and circular economy, significantly increase reuse and recycling rates, and modernise and improve waste and recycling services.