Ministers challenged over ‘huge plastic hole’ in circular economy strategy

Scottish Government plans aimed at reducing waste have a “huge plastic hole” in them, environmental campaigners have warned.

Friends of the Earth hit out at ministers after their 52-page draft circular economy strategy failed to mention plastics and the problems they can cause.

The draft strategy, published in October, aims to reduce the number of disposable items used in Scotland, with more products being retained and reused, in a move aimed at cutting waste and helping tackle climate change.

The strategy is currently being consulted on, and Friends of the Earth wants to see it changed in a bid to cut the amount of plastic being both produced and used.

It argues the document should be altered to include policies on managing plastic – such as forcing firms to pay to clean up the plastic products they produce and better enforcement of the existing ban on single-use plastics.

Raising the issue during the festive period – which Friends of the Earth described as “peak season for our homes being swamped in excessive plastic”, its senior circular economy campaigner Kim Pratt said: “There is a huge plastic hole in the Scottish Government’s plans to cut waste and reduce use of natural resources.

“The best solution to the plastics crisis is to reduce how much plastic is made and used.

“Instead of loading individuals with the responsibility for tackling this mess, big businesses must be made to pay for the clean-up of their harmful products.”

She added a “political failure to address plastics means people in Scotland will suffer from the health impacts of microplastic pollution”.

Ms Pratt added: “Plastics are made from fossil fuels so are worsening climate breakdown too.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Actions in our Circular Economy Act and circular economy and waste route map will help us continue to cut waste levels, create consistent and easy to use waste services across Scotland, and drive the sustainable use of plastic and other resources.

“This includes the new statutory household recycling code of practice to promote greater consistency in services and the introduction of collections of flexible plastic and plastic films from households and businesses from March 2027.

“Scotland was the first part of the UK to implement a ban on some of the most problematic single-use plastic products and we continue to work with our partners to reduce as many sources of plastic pollution as possible.”