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Reports

Reports, data, evidence and research from Zero Waste Scotland.

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Photo of a Scottish landscape looking down on a loch
  • Circular Economy
  • Recycling

Energy from Waste Capacity report

Building on the work of the 2024 Landfill Ban Assurance Study, the Energy from Waste Capacity report provides further assessment of Energy from Waste (EfW) facility capacity within Scotland. 

10 Aug 2026 3 minutes

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 Forklift moving tyres through a warehouse with stacked tyre storage racks.
  • Circular Economy

Rethinking 'Inevitable' Waste Through Product Stewardship

From tyres to mattresses, some of our most common products remain difficult to keep in circulation. Explore our research on where systems can improve and where action can have the greatest impact.

31 Jul 2026

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Crane removing a wind turbine component during maintenance or decommissioning at a wind farm.
  • Circular Economy

Powering Scotland’s Energy Sector Through Product Stewardship

Scotland’s success in scaling renewable energy has been instrumental in diversifying our energy supply. As we look to the future, it also presents an opportunity for Scotland to lead in circularity by developing innovative decommissioning systems that are not yet widely in place.

31 Jul 2026

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Workers sorting cardboard parcels on a conveyor belt in a warehouse distribution centre.
  • Circular Economy
  • Fashion & Beauty

The Hidden Value of Unsold Goods

Every day, perfectly good products go unsold, get returned, damaged or simply end up in the wrong place at the wrong time. From clothing and furniture to electronics and beauty products, this means businesses can lose money on products that still have value.  

31 Jul 2026

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Shoppers explore Buchanan Street in Glasgow on a nice summer day.
  • Circular Economy

How better product information can boost sales of circular economy products

New research from Zero Waste Scotland explores what drives consumer buying decisions - and whether better product information could help circular economy products compete more effectively. 

22 Jul 2026

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Person in high-visibility safety gear uses a tablet beside stacked logs at a timber yard.
  • Circular Economy
  • Sustainable Business

Why do some environmental and social impacts never appear in the price we pay?

Exploring how Scotland can better account for wider social and environmental impacts when decisions are made about investment, development and economic growth.

8 Jul 2026

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Mountain valley in Scotland with a winding road and a truck driving through rugged hills under low clouds.
  • Circular Economy

Material Flow Accounts Data and Reports

Zero Waste Scotland has published the nation’s most in-depth Material Flow Account (MFA) to date, highlighting risks to Scotland’s resource resilience.

18 Jun 2026

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Raw materials in various piles ready for use in manufacturing
  • Circular Economy
  • Climate Crisis

Material Flow Accounts (MFA)

Understanding Scotland’s raw material footprint.

18 Jun 2026 2 minute read

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Landscape image of Edinburgh old town with yellow crane in centre
  • Circular Economy

Built Environment Roadmap to Circularity

Developed in partnership with industry, the built environment Roadmap is a targeted action plan that guides the sector through Scotland’s transition to a circular economy - identifying challenges, enabling change, and unlocking environmental, economic, and social benefits.

1 Jun 2026

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