Scots could be getting another kerbside bin for clothes and fabrics under plans being looked at by Holyrood ministers. The Scottish Government is set to consult on a proposal for mandatory textiles bins outside people’s homes as part of efforts to “modernise recycling”.
The plan is one of a raft of actions set out in a new Circular Economy and Waste Route Map to 2030 document published this week. We’ve previously told how the fast fashion industry is trashing the planet, leading to mountains of clothing wastelands in nations like Ghana.
And last year the Record revealed how clothing has become Scotland’s number one earth-killer – contributing a third of the carbon footprint from households, even worse than plastic. The SNP government’s flagship Circular Economy Act, passed in June, aims to boost reuse and recycling rates and change the culture around how we consume materials.
However, the legislation had previously been slated as vague – with the government’s new five-year strategy aimed at setting out concrete areas for action. One key measure in the plan is to “undertake a consultation to explore kerbside collection of textiles”.
The report continues: “In line with new EU policy, the Scottish Government will consult on the separate collections of textile waste from households. This will consider whether kerbside collection of textiles or alternative means of collection by local authorities should be a mandatory service in Scotland.”
It said the consultation, which there is not yet a date for, would “provide the Scottish Government with further intelligence and information from householders, local authorities and the third sector on the feasibility of household textile collections”.
Dr Jane Beasley, Director of Operations at Zero Waste Scotland, said she was “delighted” to see the route map published, adding: “We’re committed to supporting the transformation of the textile sector through ongoing research, fostering collaboration, and paving the way for a circular economy in Scotland.” But it comes as SNP chiefs have struggled to meet existing recycling targets for plastic, cardboard and paper, glass and food waste.
Household recycling rates have remained steady in the low 40s for around a decade, short of a former 60 per cent target which the government ditched in June. Meanwhile, food waste has increased since the pandemic.
Scots Lib Dem climate spokesman Liam McArthur said: “I’m keen to see more exploration done of what can be done to improve textile recycling. However, the Scottish Government’s record is patchy at best.
“Earlier this year they responded to missing their recycling target by scrapping the target entirely, while the deposit return scheme managed to baffle businesses and land the taxpayer with a big bill without ever actually coming into force. The only thing ministers seem to be good at recycling is excuses.”
Other proposals in the plan include a statutory code of practice across Scotland for household waste services and statutory local targets, while giving councils “more tools” to support household recycling and reduce contamination of bins.
Acting Net Zero Secretary Gillian Martin said: “We must make the circular option, where we value materials and keep them in use for as long as possible, an easier choice for Scottish households, businesses and the public sector. The Route Map sets out an ambitious plan to help make this a reality.”
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