To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-29351 by Gillian Martin on 12 September 2024, what measures (a) it has taken to expand the provision of reuse options at household waste recycling centres and (b) will be taken forward as part of the Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024 to expand the provision of such options.
Local authorities are responsible for service provision at household waste recycling centres, and for any decisions regarding any expansion of reuse options. The Scottish Government has, through the Recycling Improvement Fund, supported projects led by Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Stirling Councils to improve reuse at household waste recycling centres. This includes setup of a reuse shop and enhancing on-site facilities to enable storage of reuse items. In addition, guidance was published by Zero Waste Scotland in June 2024 to help local authorities move to a reuse first approach at Household Waste Recycling Centres. The guidance, Making reuse happen at Household Waste Recycling Centres: Guidance for local authorities, is available on the Zero Waste Scotland website: mf-kq5rq09l-1720088177d (zerowastescotland.org.uk).
The Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024 requires Scottish Ministers to prepare a circular economy strategy. In preparing the strategy Scottish Ministers must have regard to the waste hierarchy, including preparing for reuse.
In addition, a new statutory Household Recycling Code of Practice, which will be co-designed with local authorities and other stakeholders, will set out standards expected of, and steps to be taken by, local authorities in carrying out their waste management functions in so far as they relate to the collection and recycling (including preparation for reuse) of household waste. The co-design process may also create an opportunity to agree that information is provided to householders about reuse and repair opportunities in their area. However, the new Code could not prescribe mandatory requirements for reuse or repair services as these do not fall within local authority statutory waste management functions.