The Scottish Government has published its Circular Economy Strategy for Scotland, which sets out the rationale and benefits of a more circular economy within the wider economic framework and describes its overall vision to 2045 and the outcomes that it is working towards. Scotland generated 9.55 million tonnes of waste in 2023, a reduction of around 20% since 2011, of which 86% was managed in Scotland.
David Gudgeon, Head of External Affairs at Reconomy Connect, said, “The Scottish Government’s Circular Economy Strategy marks a significant and welcome step forward, setting a clear and ambitious direction for Scotland’s transition to a more sustainable and resilient economy. By placing circularity at the heart of economic growth, environmental stewardship and social progress, the strategy rightly recognises the role that reducing material consumption and maximising resource value will play in helping Scotland achieve its net zero and nature-positive ambitions. The focus on priority sectors such as the built environment, transport and textiles, alongside high-impact product streams like WEEE and packaging, provides valuable clarity for Scottish businesses looking to accelerate progress.
“For businesses across Scotland, this transition presents a major opportunity. Adopting more circular approaches can unlock operational efficiencies and reduce costs, all while ensuring valuable resources are kept in use for longer. We look forward to working with partners across Scotland to help turn this vision into practical, scalable outcomes that deliver lasting environmental and economic value.”
