Supporting the Resource Management sector

Recycling is a key component of the Circular Economy and our work aims to increase the levels of recycling in household, commercial, and industrial contexts by supporting the Scottish Government, local authorities and the wider resource management sector.

Delivering the Scottish Government’s zero waste targets will boost the economy by £180m and reduce emissions and we are working to achieve this through various initiatives.

The Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) have agreed a Household Recycling Charter that aims to bring more consistency to recycling services.

The Charter and associated Code of Practice was agreed by COSLA Leaders on 28th November 2015.

You can learn more by reading the ‘Charter for Household Recycling Code of practice’ and ‘Code of practice for household recycling in Scotland’.

The Scottish Government’ Code of Practice on Sampling and Reporting at Materials Recovery Facilities (MRF) aims to improve the quality of materials processed through qualifying facilities by developing standardised testing processes and reporting mechanisms for all input and output materials.

We have developed a guidance document to help Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) comply with the Code of Practice.

By implementing regimes to measure material quality, facilities will better understand input material composition and contamination levels, whilst also demonstrating the consistent quality of output materials being sent for reprocessing.

The Code applies to facilities that receive, or are likely to receive, 1,000 tonnes or more of mixed dry recyclable materials (comprising of two or more materials) or separately collected dry recyclable waste for sorting, over a 12-month period.

SWITCH (Scottish Waste Industry Training, Competency, Health & Safety) is a multi-partnership forum made up of organisations across all sectors within the resource management industry.  

As part of SWITCH, we work with the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM), Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Scottish Government, private waste management companies, advisory bodies and local authorities.  

The Forum has two main areas of focus:  

• Health & Safety: Supporting continual improvement in health and safety 
• Education, training & competency: Creating training, learning and development opportunities 

The Forum aims is to provide leadership by working collaboratively to raise standards of health and safety, training, learning and development, and technical competence and to promote the Scottish resource management industry as an attractive career choice.  

For more information, including how to become involved with the SWITCH Forum, to share your experiences of good practice or just to find out more please visit the CIWM website or email switch@zerowastescotland.org.uk. 

Zero Waste Scotland engages with consumers through our brand ‘Recycle for Scotland’ and is a key element to our work which provides advice and information on how to recycle, helping to protect Scotland's natural environment and make our communities nicer places to live in.

Recycle for Scotland aims to make it easier for householders to understand and participate fully in their recycling services whether at home or on the go. This brand and its associated messages are fully tested with consumers so that it achieves clarity and motivates recycling behaviour.

The Recycle for Scotland brand can be seen in many public places around Scotland as well as on product packaging and the dedicated website provides useful information on where, how and what we can recycle.