Zero Waste Scotland Programme Plan 2011-15 Page 1 of 36
Contents Executive summary... 3 Strategic objectives for Zero Waste Scotland... 6 Areas for action... 7 Resource streams... 8 Key programmes in this area for action... 10 Resource management sector... 15 Key programmes in this area for action... 17 Economic opportunity... 20 Key programmes in this area for action... 23 Education and awareness... 28 Key programmes in this area for action... 29 Core Communications... 34 Research and information... 34 Governance... 35 Costs & budgets... 36 Page 2 of 36
Executive summary Zero Waste Scotland has been established by the Scottish Government as its single delivery programme to support the actions set out in the Zero Waste Plan and to provide support, more generally, for the move towards a Zero Waste society. The Zero Waste Plan sets out the strategic goals that Scotland needs to meet to achieve a sustainable approach to waste and resources. It specifies a number of key areas for action, and specific actions to be taken within each area. Zero Waste Scotland has responsibility for implementing a number of these specific actions, as well as supporting the delivery of the plan generally, and this document sets out the business plan and programmes that Zero Waste Scotland will establish to achieve the outcomes required. At the core of the Zero Waste Scotland programme are three key drivers that run through all areas of activity. These are: Minimising the use of primary resources Prevention of waste Closed loop recycling All Zero Waste Scotland programmes share these drivers, and will include elements of education and awareness-raising to support the changes in attitudes and behaviours that will be required to move towards a zero waste society in Scotland. This document outlines the suite of programmes that will form the delivery of Zero Waste Scotland over the period 2011-15, with budget allocations for 2011/12 only. The programmes are grouped into areas for action which correlate broadly with the areas for action described in the Zero Waste Plan. Page 3 of 36
Figure 1: Zero Waste Scotland programme groups Economic Opportunity includes programmes to promote resource efficiency in businesses in Scotland in general, as well as support targeted at specific sectors where there is evidence that there is an opportunity for significant impact. Target sectors include food and non-food retail supply chains, hospitality, construction and large public sector organisations. The Resource Streams area of activity will prioritise material streams where there is evidence that significant impact on key outcome targets can be achieved. Work on resource streams will start from the basis of always seeking to minimise the resource use. Resource streams targeted will include organics (food and green waste) from households and businesses, plastics and textiles. We will also support innovative approaches to resource recovery and support the development of clean technologies in Scotland. Included in the Resource Management Sector are commercial resource management businesses, local authorities and third sector organisations. Zero Waste Scotland will work with these organisations to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the sector, providing support for infrastructure development, and focussing on innovative solutions where market failures exist. Education and Awareness activity will seek to enable the changes in attitudes and behaviours needed to create a zero waste society in Scotland. This will include local and national campaigns, development of good practice guides and toolkits, and working to establish zero waste education and principles in the curriculum at all levels. Zero Waste Scotland will be structured as an organisation with a core team of Heads of Programmes providing strategic direction and coordination of programmes, a marketing and communications function, and operational management in the form of Page 4 of 36
programme and project management. Zero Waste Scotland will be delivered by the UK based organisation Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) and will leverage substantial benefit from other parts of WRAP, in the form of support for governance, strategy and programme development. Programme evaluation will be designed to feed back into strategy and programme development. Back office services and technical expertise will be provided through a limited local staff, supported by shared services with other parts of WRAP where appropriate. Zero Waste Scotland will employ key account managers to work directly with key, high impact and high priority organisations in the public and private sector. However in most cases whilst Zero Waste Scotland retains ownership of programmes and oversees their delivery, the delivery itself is contracted out to other private or public sector organisations or social and community enterprises. This optimises the flexibility that Zero Waste Scotland needs to be able to respond to changing priorities and changing budgets. The headline budget for the programmes in 2011/12 is around 25M. The core programme budget is 21M, representing a saving of approximately 10% on the 2010/11 budget, however additional funding has been made available by the Scottish Government to allow for the expansion of food waste collection and treatment activities consistent with Zero Waste Plan ambitions and associated Regulatory proposals. Page 5 of 36
Strategic objectives for Zero Waste Scotland Zero Waste Scotland will deliver a collection of programmes contributing to the development of a zero waste society in Scotland. The Zero Waste Scotland brand will present resource management support in Scotland as a single, integrated entity, with a series of programmes and workstreams aligned with the Zero Waste Plan and focused on where the programmes can have the greatest impact. The Zero Waste Scotland programmes will result in a change of mindset in the way resources and waste are viewed in Scotland, through the provision of better information and education about resource management. The programmes will lead to a significant reduction in waste arising, an increased separation of waste into resource streams, and economic opportunities will result from improved reprocessing and treatment infrastructure. The Zero Waste Scotland programmes will be supported by a core team, working in partnership and maximising the value of relationships with other delivery bodies and agencies. The programmes will lead to the enhancement of zero waste expertise in Scotland and will therefore support policy making in the Scottish Government. Zero Waste Scotland will be structured so that the programmes are flexible, able to respond to changing priorities in the future, including varying funding levels. In the shorter term, Zero Waste Scotland will be considered to be a success if: It is delivering the actions ascribed to it in the Zero Waste Plan; It is leading a move to resource use minimisation, waste reduction and an awareness of resource management issues; It is accommodating, and able to accommodate, budget constraints and changing priorities as required; It is developing zero waste expertise in Scotland, whilst maximising the benefits of UK-wide programmes and support from other parts of WRAP. Page 6 of 36
Areas for action Following the direction of the Zero Waste Plan, Zero Waste Scotland will deliver programmes based around the areas for action identified in the ZWP: Resource Streams, Economic Opportunity, Resource Management Sector and Education and Awareness. It is important that Zero Waste Scotland delivers an integrated collection of programmes so that impact achieved in one area is supported and underpinned by impacts achieved in other areas, enabling Zero Waste Scotland to achieve the outcomes required of it. As an illustration, opportunities will be missed if consumers segregate food waste without the collection and treatment infrastructure being in place to maximize the benefit of the waste as a resource stream. This integration requires a strategic, managed approach, and in some instances, a UK-wide and international outlook. Page 7 of 36
Resource streams Mission To alter the way waste is managed in Scotland, by contributing to developing a closed loop economy and putting Scotland on track to deliver 70% recycling and a maximum of 5% to landfill by 2025, within an overall context of reducing waste. Scope and Behaviour Change The programme will focus on increasing the closed-loop recycling of waste materials with the greatest carbon impact, and hence maximise the economic and environmental benefits for Scotland. Initial priorities are organics, plastics, waste electrical equipment (WEEE) and textiles from households and businesses but further research will identify where there may be other priority streams, taking into account the carbon metric and economic factors. The focus of the work is to drive a change in management of waste throughout the supply chain for priority materials. The main programmes of work are with waste producers (from across commercial, industrial, household and public sector bodies); organics, plastics and textiles reprocessors; agriculture, regeneration and other land-based industries, and the plastics and packaging industries. Principal Outcomes, by March 2015 A change in mindset in Scotland in the way resources and wastes are managed across all the key sectors identified above. Increased separation of waste into resource streams and priority materials recycled into closed-loop applications in Scotland. Increased processing and sorting capacity in Scotland to allow for closed loop recycling of materials, particularly in plastics and organics. Increased recycled content in closed loop materials, products and manufacturing. Maintaining progress to date. Current Market Assessment and Barriers The landfill tax escalator is already resulting in increased diversion of materials from landfill, but there is no guarantee that the market will deliver a closed loop economy as a result of this diversion. There are market failures in supply & quality of supply, demand and market operation for key materials, in particular for Scotland these are food waste, plastics and textiles. Food Waste Recent research indicates that the total food waste arisings in Scotland are in the region of 2.3Mtpa, of which a small fraction is currently landfilled (~470ktpa). The bulk of the landfilled material comes from household and hospitality sources. However, the remainder of this (approximately 1.59Mtpa) is waste arising from the food & drink production / processing sector which is disposed of as waste but to outlets other than landfill, namely effluent treatment, rendering and land spreading. In terms of a closed-loop economy, these elements are also a target for recycling. Page 8 of 36
Research conducted at a UK level by Eunomia Research & Consulting in 2007, which reviewed a range of different food waste collection and treatment options, concluded that the separate collection of household and commercial food waste coupled with anaerobic digestion was likely to provide the best overall environmental performance of all the systems studied. This is reflected in the Scottish Government s Zero Waste Plan carbon metric, which recognises the importance of AD not only to recycling targets but also in a range of other policy areas, including the Renewable Action Plan s heat target, improving the sustainability of food production, improving soil health & biodiversity and reducing the carbon impacts of transport. Plastics An estimated 200,000 tonnes of household plastic waste is currently generated annually in Scotland, but only around 15,000 tonnes is currently collected for recycling. There is currently limited sorting and reprocessing infrastructure in Scotland for plastics. Much of the material currently collected is plastic bottles, and although there remains a significant opportunity to increase the quantity of bottles recycled, the focus of the work will also be on the closed-loop recycling of other plastics packaging materials. WEEE Some 1.3Mt of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) are purchased each year in the UK and recycling data suggest that only 30% of this (only 15% for small EEE items) is collected for recycling - around 450kt of WEEE goes to landfill in the UK each year. There is need to work with the resource management industry to increase collections of WEEE but also to work to improve the availability and preparation for recovery of WEEE materials, particularly plastics by identifying closed loop markets for WEEE recyclate. Textiles A market assessment conducted for the Scottish Government by Remade Scotland in 2008 estimated the total quantities of textiles consumed in Scotland at 215,000tpa, with 135,450tpa being landfilled and 36,550tpa being reused, recovered and recycled. This indicates approximately at 21% recycling rate for textiles, but with significant opportunities to enhance quality and quantity of LA collections and for reprocessors to increase their throughputs. Persistent Market failures, across key material streams Supply Materials are not collected in sufficient quantities or sorted to a quality level that is acceptable to the supply chain, leading to imperfect market operation and competition around the supply and sourcing of materials. Improved supply of quality materials (in particular for the food waste, plastics and textiles streams) will incentivise the development of additional processing capacity to recycle this waste. Demand A lack of demand for some outputs, for example low-grade textiles and digestates, coupled with inability to compete on price with overseas demand; lack of financial incentives to increase recycled content; and to access feedstocks of a suitable quality. Capacity There is a lack of finance to invest in reprocessing capacity due to perception of risk. The market failure varies by material and product but is typically lack of information and /or barriers to market entry for new facilities and technologies. In particular, for food waste, plastics and textiles there is limited capacity available in Scotland to recycle these Page 9 of 36
materials and development of this capacity is hampered by the inability to source a secure supply of feedstocks, and hence projects are not bankable. Provision of additional recycling facilities in Scotland will provide an incentive to councils and private business to collect more materials. Key programmes in this area for action Organics infrastructure Organics markets Infrastructure &materials research Infrastructure &materials financial mechanisms Markets & products Organics infrastructure Objective: to maximise the efficiency of food waste recycling infrastructure in Scotland and assist in supplying it with appropriate feedstocks; to assist the development of additional food waste infrastructure, where a strategic need is identified; to support the development of on-farm or community AD schemes. Audience: LAs and other waste producers; the waste management industry; the organics industry, including trade associations such as ADBA, REA and AFORS; banks and investment institutions; the agricultural & community sectors; engagement with SEPA & Scottish Enterprise. Evidence base: The level of organic waste arising is detailed in the previous section, which highlights that there is a significant opportunity to divert this material from waste disposal into closed-loop recycling. Recycling capacity already in place or in build in Scotland is sufficient to process all the LA, SME, retail and public sector food wastes (approx. 400ktpa), albeit with gaps in availability in some areas. Types of activity & intervention: 1. Acquiring quality feedstocks Support to Local Authorities and Commercial organisations in collecting food waste through the Food Waste Fund (in conjunction with the Resource Management Programme), through providing best practice guidance and advice; de-minimus funding for commercial collections; grant funding for LA collections. These are new activities, designed to assist local authorities and commercial collectors dramatically increase the quantity of food waste collected for recycling. Interventions will continue until the business case for collection of food waste only strengthens, until landfill bans are in place, or until the collection of separate food waste is at a sufficient level to put Scotland on the trajectory to achieve 70% recycling by 2025 (whichever is the earliest). Progress will be kept under yearly review. 2. Development of food waste processing infrastructure Identification of strategically appropriate locations for AD facilities; engaging and influencing investors in AD through due diligence work and demonstration; a deminimus grant scheme to support improvements in the efficiencies of existing or Page 10 of 36
planned food waste recycling infrastructure (through the Food Waste Fund); procurement support (in partnership with Scottish Futures Trust) for local authorities to secure IVC or AD treatment capacity, capital support for food waste recycling infrastructure in strategic locations (through the Food Waste Fund); demonstration of the economic and environmental case for AD through case studies and demonstration days; continuation of PAS110 support for producers on the certification scheme; tools and specialist advice for small-scale AD developments (for instance on-farm or community schemes). The infrastructure work builds on grant support provided in the previous business plan for in-vessel composting and anaerobic digestion facilities, and aims to maximise the value and efficiency of existing sites. As AD infrastructure continues to develop, the need for capital support will be kept under review. Key outputs from the above programme of work include: LAs collection grant scheme in place, commercial collection de-minimus grant scheme in place and projects identified for support; a report which identifies the key strategic locations for AD facilities issued; a deminimus grant scheme in place for facility improvements and projects identified for support; demonstration events held; specialist advice drafted for on farm and community AD projects and PAS110 support provided. Outcomes: 1. 150,000tpa additional food waste processed through AD by the end of the business plan period (i.e. end March 2015), putting Scotland on track towards 70% food waste recycling by 2025. 2. Over 100,000tpa CO 2 equivalent savings through diversion of food waste through AD and improvement of site efficiencies by end of the business plan period. Organics Markets Objective: to develop closed loop markets in Scotland for composts, digestates & biogas Audience: The agricultural sector, including trade associations, retailers and assurance schemes, such as NNFCC, NFUS, QMS, FSA(S), SRC, Potato council, HGCA etc. Organics sector trade associations, such as ADBA, REA and AFORS. The Landscaping and Regeneration industries and trade associations such as BALI, SURF, Landscape Institute, Transport Scotland etc. Evidence base: There has been considerable work over the course of the last business plan period to develop evidence on the benefits and methods of using compost in agriculture and landscaping sectors. However, there remains in some sectors reservations and/or perception problems which are currently discouraging the use of these materials, despite their benefits. There is limited evidence on the use of digestates across the UK and this programme will develop this evidence based on trials work and engagement with the sectors. There is sufficient landbank available in Scotland for the spreading of digestates, although more of this is available in the eastern arable areas of the country so other markets may be needed for other areas. Types of activity & intervention: 1. Agriculture maximising the value and use of renewable fertilisers through a range of activities and interventions: Page 11 of 36
Review options for developing added-value products from composts and digestates; advice & support to farmers & growers to increase the use of quality composts & digestates; review of novel recycled products and understanding of their benefits (eg biochar); development of Renewable Biofertiliser Matrix in conjunction with trade bodies etc; research (in conjunction with key trade bodies) to plug knowledge gaps associated with composts / digestates (for example relating to specific hazards, such as potato cyst nematode); long-term field trials for compost & digestates on a range of crops and awareness raising across supply chain; landbank map developed for Scotland (Allowance). 2. Landscaping & Regeneration Dissemination events for designers, clients and contractors to promote the findings of the Landscaping & Regeneration Good Practice Guide; digestate trials (liquid and fibre) in 6 L&R sub-sectors from soil manufacture to erosion sports turf use; engagement (through events) with ½ waste to landfill construction initiative to increase quantity of waste soils used in soil manufacture with compost; research into new markets for compost & digestate in L&R sectors. Key outputs from the above programme of work include: long-term trials for digestates in agriculture and landscaping & regeneration underway; Biofertiliser matrix drafted and in discussion; research into specific hazards commissioned; dissemination events for L&R sector undertaken; research into new markets commissioned; Allowance map complete. Outcomes: 1. Food waste diverted from waste identified above (150ktpa) recycled into compost / digestate for use on land to replace 1,650t of artificial fertilisers, by end of business plan period. 2. CO 2 equivalent savings in the reduction of nitrogen fertiliser production of 3,700tpa, by end of business plan period. 3. 40,000tpa additional digestate / compost recycled by end business plan period Infrastructure & materials research Objective: to identify priority resource streams suitable for closed loop recycling in Scotland. To develop programmes for the resource streams identified. To work in conjunction with the UK I&M technical programme for other research. Types of activity and intervention: 1. To review material flows in Scotland to identify which priority resource streams require further invention to develop Scottish recycling infrastructure or markets. Materials will be prioritised based on the carbon metric and economic opportunity (examples could be textiles, WEEE & rare earth metals, plastic films etc). 2. To commence programme development for priority resources identified. 3. To work with the UK I&M technical programme for UK wide research into materials, for example: mixed plastics research; food-grade PP; WEEE treatment technologies; rare resources recovery; glass colour-sorting options. Page 12 of 36
Key outputs from the above programme of work include: priority resource streams for closed-loop recycling and intervention programmes identified; research underway on range of projects as part of UK programme. Infrastructure & materials financial mechanisms Objective: to provide support for the development of Scottish closed-loop recycling infrastructure for key resource streams, where a market failure has been identified and where key environmental and economic benefits will result. The initial objective for this programme in 2011/12 is the development of plastics recycling infrastructure in Scotland, to reduce the tonnages of plastics being disposed in landfill. It will increase the quantity of post-consumer plastics sorted and reprocessed back into usable feedstocks in Scotland and will promote projects which displace the use of virgin plastics in manufacturing. Types of activity and intervention: 1. Plastics Capital Grant Programme to provide financial support to a plastics reprocessing facility that can sort, recycle and reprocess a range of plastics waste arisings and deliver quality recycled plastics which will displace the use of virgin plastics in manufacturing. 2. Mixed Plastics Sorting one of the factors limiting the increase in collection is the provision of adequate plastics sorting equipment at municipal MRFs. A mixed plastics sorting support programme ran during 2010/11. This activity will review the success of this earlier programme and will develop a subsequent support programme, subject to the review findings. 3. Development of other specific financial mechanisms to target particular resource streams, following the findings of research conducted under the Infrastructure & Materials research activities. This will include finance and development support for innovative resource recovery technologies, supporting the aims of the Scottish Government s Environmental and Clean Technologies Action Plan. 4. Provide support and information to LAs and commercial operators on plastics recycling options. 5. Scope the requirement for additional textiles collection and recycling infrastructure. Key outputs from the above programme of work include: agreement of the plastics grant funding contract and support underway; a review of the mixed plastics sorting programme and (if required) the commencement of a second funding round; development of financial mechanisms for other material streams, as required. Outcomes: 1. Reduction of 25,500tpa of virgin plastics use, by end of business plan period 2. Carbon equivalent savings of 32,000tpa, by end of business plan period. Markets & Products Objective: to develop markets and to encourage demand for recycled resources in Scotland. Types of activity and intervention: Page 13 of 36
General areas of intervention will be in the development and dissemination of specifications & standards for closed loop materials (to ensure that products and materials are fit for purpose); trials and demonstration pilots; good practice case studies; incentivising end markets for the priority products / materials. Market development activities will be prioritised initially in 2011/12 in the following areas: high value recycled polymers into food and technical grade markets; textile-based materials into new markets for clothing / carpets etc & trials (where appropriate); recovery of plastics films into suitable grade for market; standards & specifications to improve input materials quality. Work in this area will be undertaken in conjunction with the Markets & Products Programme and relevant elements expanded where appropriate in Scotland. Key outputs from the above programme of work will include: trials commissioned for certain materials / markets, additional specifications for material quality under development, case studies produced, progress on understanding the market opportunities for plastic film materials and for textile-based materials. Outcomes: The outcome is based on expanding textile recycling under this programme in Scotland, although impacts will increase over the business plan period as more areas are targeted. 1. Reduction of 15,000tpa in virgin textile use, by end of business plan period Page 14 of 36
Resource management sector The resource management sector comprises organisations involved in the collection, reuse, sorting, processing, and treatment of waste resources and water. This includes the waste/resource management functions of local authorities, private sector resource management companies (both traditional waste management businesses and reprocessors), and third sector and volunteer groups involved in waste/resource management. Operationally, we will also include Zero Waste Scotland s work with the construction industry under the Resource Management sector theme, although there are strong areas of overlap with Business Support activity. This is because of the significant volumes of construction waste and its specific operational requirements, including the potential for on-site reuse and recovery of construction materials, and the need for collections and infrastructure development. Mission The mission of this programme is to build a comprehensive and effective resource management industry where materials are collected, processed to produce a high quality and used to replace virgin materials whenever possible for use in a closed loop economy. Scope and Behaviour Change The programme will engage with a wide range of stakeholders ranging from those involved in the design of large-scale construction projects, major clients and contractors, local authorities as clients and collection authorities, commercial resource management contractors, operators of materials reclamation facilities and those involved in the marketing of recovered materials to the wider reprocessing industry. This work will also include the involvement of the third sector as potential partners and service providers in terms of collection of materials and the promotion of a formal re-use network Principal Outcomes The programme will seek to deliver the following outcomes; Engagement with the construction sector supply chain to continue the drive to reduce the volume of construction waste consigned to landfill A resource efficiency programme for the construction sector, including work on refurbishment and procurement A comprehensive programme of local authority support An intensive programme focussing on food waste collections Training for the resource management industry, including development of a Zero Waste skills academy Recycling industry support Identification of market failures Capital grant management Development of third sector support including accredited re-use Page 15 of 36
Current Market Assessment and Barriers Despite the presence of fiscal drivers, significant materials are currently being land filled and the Zero Waste Plan for Scotland has now set challenging targets that will apply to the entire waste stream and are in addition to the existing EU targets. The intention of the programme will be to help reduce the production of waste through careful planning, capturing materials when they arise using methods that ensure that they can be processed easily and so they can be pushed towards higher-value and more environmentally beneficial recovery markets, making the economic case for recycling. Construction Despite the downturn in construction activity, this sector continues to represent a significant area of activity for Zero Waste Scotland with a much greater emphasis on early stage intervention and prevention of waste arisings with a firm emphasis on cost reduction with a need for further work in the areas of refurbishment, product design and resource efficiency. Recycling Business Development The successful achievement of the Zero Waste Plan objectives will depend on the ability of the resource management industry to deal with recovered materials effectively and on the creation of markets that can be supplied with high quality recovered materials with minimum carbon impact. In this respect, the current marketplace requires further development to increase opportunities for the acceptance of a greater range of materials as well as gearing up to meet the requirements to collect and deal with source segregated and separately collected materials arising from the construction & demolition, commercial & industrial and municipal solid waste streams. Local Authority Support Local authorities will require prolonged and varied support to meet the challenges of the Zero Waste Plan and the pressures of the reduction in public finance. There is a range of skills and experience within local authorities although additional support in key areas will help develop and harness existing resources. In particular, councils will benefit from support around the introduction of food waste collections and the implementation of the carbon metric. With the majority of easy to obtain materials now being captured within existing kerbside collections, the introduction of additional materials as well as maximising the existing collection systems will be an on-going priority for this area of work along with the provision of the skills to enable the sector to continue to develop. Third Sector Support The third sector is a key player in terms of the collection and re-use of important non-core materials such as furniture, white goods and food waste. While some third sector businesses have become self-sustaining, many still require further professional support to develop long term viability. Persistent Market failures Despite significant input from the industry there are still market failures in terms of collection of materials, the supply of quality materials to the reprocessing industry, the Page 16 of 36
supply of quality recovered materials to the local markets that can be used to stimulate and encourage a closed loop economy, overall prevention activities and the viability of the third sector to play a significant role in resource management sector. Key programmes in this area for action Construction and the Built Environment in Scotland Recycling Industry Support Local Authority Support Third Sector Support Construction and the Built Environment in Scotland Key objectives: The objective of this programme will be to maximise the opportunities to reduce the production of waste materials from construction activities throughout Scotland, capitalising on the success of the Halving Waste to Landfill commitment by using the approach, tools and lessons learned through the current programme and with the development of the supply chain. The scope will be expanded to include refurbishment, product design and design for resource efficiency which are areas where gains in terms of reduced waste creation and carbon reduction can be made and in this respect we will work closely with our colleagues throughout the UK to promote a common approach. Targeted audience: This programme will work directly with construction clients, contractors, designers, architects and in industry bodies as well as suppliers and resource management companies. Evidence: The construction sector has demonstrated that it is willing to adapt and change. But it requires additional support to complete the task and in particular help the supply chain, including the significant number of SMEs working in the construction sector in Scotland. Activities: Continue with an engagement plan to embed the principles of the Halving Waste to Landfill Programme within the sector through one to one support, training on web based tools and training workshops. Events and engagement will be undertaken to publicise the support in terms of resource efficiency, product development and refurbishment and this will be underpinned through UK wide research and reports specific with accompanying case studies relevant to the Scottish market. Key outputs & expected outcomes: The key outputs will be demonstrated in the willingness of the construction industry supply chain to commit to the reduction of waste in all their activities, a shift of focus to include carbon measurement in all their activities and a willingness to embed good practice within their documentation, including tenders, to drive the commitment through the supply chain. Recycling Industry Support Key objectives: This programme will continue to develop the business and markets support theme within the sector and will continue to build capacity in terms of tonnage, capability, effectiveness & efficiency. The programme will be delivered directly by a key account exec- Page 17 of 36
utive who will work closely with the industry. To date this activity has delivered on a diverse range of projects and has achieved and provided significant added value to the industry. Targeted audience: The main audience will continue to be SMEs in the resource management industry and suppliers and other related organisations that form an integral part of the supply chain. Evidence: The sector requires on-going support to be able to react to the changing resource management landscape and to provide the facilities and processes that will be required to source, collect and process quality recovered materials. Activities: Activities will include business planning support, marketing planning support, senior management training, access to interim management support, intellectual property rights protection, access to the Equip residual value leasing scheme and the provision of a capital grants scheme to help address identified market failures. Zero Waste Scotland will also participate in UK programmes focusing on increasing quality output from MRFs and other sorting and processing infrastructure, and will support the implementation of appropriate quality standards or specifications. Key outputs & expected outcomes: Key outputs for this sector will be in the form of increased capacity and variety of raw materials processed and this should progress to an increase in economic viability and ability to invest. Local Authority Support Key objectives: To provide a comprehensive support service to Scottish local authorities in terms of the efficiency and effectiveness of existing collection systems, the introduction of new systems, the provision of a sound evidence base to support the decision making process, the training of current and future recycling operatives & managers and to provide substantial food waste collection support through practical and financial assistance. Targeted audience: The programme will seek to support all Scottish local authorities. In addition this will mean engagement with householders and commercial business that use the services provided through local authorities, and facilitating greater links with the private and third sector resource management service providers. Evidence: There is a requirement from the local authorities for on-going support to enable them to deliver the commitments of the Zero waste Plan through a formal delivery programme. Activities: A range of activities will be developed to enable local authorities to address the issues of increasing the capture of materials from current systems, introducing the collection of new material streams including food waste, the identification of training needs and the provision of practical training and the provision of research to inform the local authority decision process in terms of the changes required to meet the requirements of the Zero waste Plan. Key outputs & expected outcomes: The outputs and outcomes from this programme will include the successful roll out of new and revised collection schemes designed to capture Page 18 of 36
food waste and maximise the capture of existing material streams, the up-skilling of waste management staff to provide them with the necessary knowledge and expertise to become fully competent, the provision of a sound evidence base to allow informed decision making in relation to service changes and access to additional funding Scottish funding streams when available. Third Sector Support Key objectives: To provide a support programme to the third sector to enable organisations to build long-term viability and to actively contribute to the targets in the Zero Waste Plan. This should lead to the establishment of a comprehensive and professional re-use network to bring confidence to the marketplace. Zero Waste Scotland will work very closely with the CRNS as the lead body within the sector. Targeted audience: The target will be community sector organisations working or intending to work within the resource management industry, in particular focusing on community reuse activity, but also supporting innovation within the Third Sector to enable it to work beyond its current established areas. Evidence: There is a requirement to continue to support the sector and work towards long term sustainability by increasing commercial activity and reducing reliance on grant funding. There is also a need to support third sector organisations to move into innovative areas of resource management service delivery ultimately to level the playing field between sectors in the industry.. Activities: Assist the sector through the provision of a business support programme that will enable organisations to develop sustainable business models through the provision of business and marketing plans, interim management opportunities, assistance to help form service level agreements with public bodies such as local authorities and to explore other innovative funding mechanisms. Dependant on the level of funding available to the sector, this may also lead to the possibility of a capital grants programme to help address market failures. Zero Waste Scotland will develop an Accredited Reuse Network in line with the revised Waste Framework Directive and wider UK initiatives. This will be complemented by investment in frontline reuse infrastructure and support for the CRNS as the leading authority on community reuse provision in Scotland. Third sector organisations will also be key partners in the delivery of waste prevention campaigns and Zero Waste Zones initiatives detailed under the Education and Awareness theme. Key outputs & expected outcomes: The main outputs and outcomes from the programme will be projects that are assisted and the level of activity that these projects undertake in the resource management sector. A reuse network will expand access to high-quality and professional reuse services in Scotland. Outcomes will not only be measured in tonnage and carbon but there will also be a need to measure the impact that these organisations have on the wider community as their role will be beyond that of resource management. Page 19 of 36
Economic opportunity Mission The aim of this programme is develop a business sector in Scotland that contributes to and is an integral part of a zero waste society. Each work stream under Economic Opportunity is aligned with the Zero Waste Plan with a particular focus on sectors where the programme will have greatest impact. The programme will focus on supporting businesses to minimise the use of primary resources, to become more efficient through taking actions to prevent waste arising and to engage in activities that promote closed loop recycling where possible. Scope and Behaviour Change A significant objective for Zero Waste Scotland is to promote resource efficiency in businesses in Scotland through waste prevention, reuse and recycling, as well as supporting businesses to take advantage of the commercial opportunities emerging as Scotland moves towards a zero waste society. With a focus on food and drink waste and its value, it is important that this programme highlight waste prevention to all who can influence it. Aligned to this is making the role of packaging and the importance of its optimisation, in the prevention of food waste and use of unnecessary packaging, visible to all who can influence its design, specification and selection. Equally, influencing the design of identified resource intensive non-food products to reduce waste and encourage new business models is the logical next step for the programme. This will require influencing a shift in consumer behaviour as well as working with a number of influential organisations and individuals. A focus on embedding sustainable procurement practices across the public and private sector will enable Zero Waste Scotland to achieve its mission and we will work with partners including Scottish Government to develop tools and resources in this area. Principal Outcomes Businesses in Scotland are aware of resources they consume, and they minimise primary resource use resulting in businesses that operate more efficiently and cost effectively. Unused materials are recycled and the opportunity to use recycled material as an input becomes a standard consideration. Current Market Assessment and Barriers Increasing resource efficiency in Scottish businesses: The total number of private sector enterprises in Scotland was 296,780 as at March 2010, a 1.9% increase since March 2009. In the last 10 years, the total number of enterprises increased by 24.8% (59,000 enterprises). The number of SMEs in Scotland was 294,525 as at March 2010. A 1.9% increase since March 2009. Page 20 of 36
SMEs accounted for 99.2% of enterprises, 52.9% of employment and 37.4% of turnover. Source: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/topics/statistics/browse/business/corporate/keyfacts Breakdown of SMEs and Large Enterprises in Scotland: Small Medium Large No. of Employees: 0-49 50-249 250+ No. of Businesses: 290,870 3,655 2,260 Source:Source: Scottish Government, ONS (IDBR) Data from SEPA for 2008, the most recent year on record: Business waste produced in Scotland was 7.78 million tonnes in 2008. It was composed of 72% commercial waste and 28% industrial. This amounts to 40.6% of the total waste produced in Scotland. Top 3 most common waste types from C&I: MSW and similar, 3,675,855 tonnes (47%) Waste packing, 964,092 tonnes (12%) Agricultural was, including food preparation, 888,661 tonnes (11%) Top 3 waste generators from Industry sector: Food and drink (24%) Wood and paper (17%) Water, sewerage and waste management (15%) Total industry waste: 2,333,680 tonnes Top 3 waste generators from Commercial sector: Retail and wholesale (33%) Admin, real estate and other services (17%) Hotels (12%) Total commercial waste: 5,474,818 tonnes Total C&I waste: 7,808,498 tonnes Waste by business size: Business size Waste generated in Percentage of total for Page 21 of 36
2008 C&I Small (1 49 employees) 3,855,131 49% Large (50+ employees) 3,953,367 51% Given that SMEs account for 37% of business turnover in Scotland and more than 50% of business waste, the implication is there exists the opportunity to support the development of efficient strategies with these organisations. The Food & Drink Industry in Scotland: Scotland has a diverse business base of 1,200 companies, including large-scale indigenous players, global inward investors and many smaller firms. The latest annual Scottish Government statistics (2008) for the food and drink sector are: Turnover has risen from 10 billion to 11.2 billion (food and drink manufacturing increased from 7.5 billion to 8.3 billion and Agriculture and Fishing from 2.5 billion to 2.8 billion) GVA has risen from 4.1 billion to 4.4 billion. This is due to growth in the food and drink manufacturing sector. Productivity Food and drink manufacturing sector GVA per employee has risen from 68.7k to 77.6k strongly outperforming its UK benchmark. Exports have risen to an all-time high of 4.06 billion. While whisky continues to be the top performer, food exports have increased by 20% to 934 million. This is led by fish and seafood which is now valued at 555 million (source: HM Revenue & Customs - UK Regional Trade Statistics (RTS) for Scottish food exports and Overseas Trade Statistics (OTS) for whisky exports). Research and development spend (measured by BERD) has fallen from 7.85 million to 6.95 million (source: Scottish Government - Business Enterprise Research and Development Scotland 2008 Tables) Scotland is the second largest salmon producer in the world, landing 70% of UK fish catch, has one quarter of the beef herd and produces 40% of soft fruit. The whisky sector has seen GVA growth of 98% since 2000 and is a major international player, accounting for 25% of UK exports. Source: Scottish Government Annual Business Inquiry (ABI) data and Scottish Government Economic Report on Scottish Agriculture Zero Waste Scotland can help Scotland s business sector understand and identify how to achieve resource efficiency by: By addressing the management of commercial and industrial waste at a site level Publishing guidance on sustainable waste management best practice Working in partnership with national and local businesses and business support organisations to offer support and guidance to waste producers Encouraging the use of environmental management systems in businesses Provide tools and training on sustainable procurement Persistent Market failures The economic and environmental cost of wasted resources is not fully recognised and accounted for at the level of the business. Opportunities to develop and exploit new technologies may require start-up support. Page 22 of 36
Grocery Supply Chain (food & drink) Food in the UK is relatively cheap and abundant, and the true (environmental) costs of waste and its disposal are not reflected in the actual costs \ price. The financial costs of waste in the supply chain(s) are incorporated in the selling price, but hidden from the consumer and others. There is a lack of consumer or customer demand or pressure, and insufficient incentives to address waste, and a lack of information on the extent of waste within the supply chain and general lack of transparency between different actors in the supply chain. Current and future social, cultural, demographic and retailing trends are increasing the pressure for more packaging. Key programmes in this area for action Retail Supply Chain Retail Supply Chain (Grocery and Non Food products) Hospitality Sector (Tourism and Food Service) SME support (non-target sectors) Sustainable Procurement (Public & Private Sector) Supporting innovation The key objective of this programme in the Retail Grocery Supply Chain will be to optimise resource use, thereby reducing waste across the food and drink supply chain. The focus will be on reducing the environmental impact of food, drink and packaging waste and Zero Waste Scotland will participate in the promotion and development of the UK wide Courtauld Commitment. The work on Courtauld will impact mainly upon the target of 5% reduction of supply chain waste by the end of 2012. This will be delivered through a combination of sitebased waste prevention reviews and sectoral initiatives derived from the UK resource maps for fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, pre-prepared foods and drinks. We will work with partners in Scotland Food & Drink, Scottish Enterprise and others to develop and pilot supply chain initiatives with key grocery retailers. Zero Waste Scotland will develop further the packaging and waste reviews for SMEs in this sector, offering support in implementation of identified opportunities for resource efficiency. We will continue to monitor the reduction in use and recycling of single use carrier bags. Zero Waste Scotland will be actively involved in development of the Home Improvement Sector Commitment, which is focussed on packaging. Zero Waste Scotland will be actively involved a UK wide programme that will focus on the Design of Non Food Products and Packaging. Sectors to be targeted include Textiles & Electrical and Electronic Products; Home and Workplace Products and Facilities Management. Ongoing work will include further increasing the number of signatories to Courtauld 2. Zero Waste Scotland will continue to engage with existing and prospective Courtauld signatories through a key account management approach. The role of the key account manager will be to interact across a business to ensure that the business changes its processes to deliver the objectives of the voluntary agreement and act as a conduit for all Zero Waste Scotland programmes working in the sector. Page 23 of 36