Executive recycles > 50%

The Scottish Government recycled 58 per cent of its office waste in 2002/03, an increase of 14 per cent over the previous year. Andy Kerr, Minister for Finance and Public Services said: “The Executive is committed to recycling. I welcome this improvement in performance which puts us ahead of schedule to meet our target of recycling 60 per cent of its office waste by March 2004.



The Executive has a target to reduce the amount of office waste going to landfill by recycling 60 per cent of total waste produced by March 2004.



The Executive is currently recycling 58 per cent of its waste compared to 44 per cent in 2001/02 and 40 per cent in 2000/01. This has been achieved through enhanced waste segregation.



Other methods such as reuse of furniture and IT equipment and recycling of mobile phones also helps to reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill. In order to maximise potential recycling opportunities, the Executive`s contract for waste disposal has been enhanced to include the recycling of glass and plastic at three of the Executive’s main Edinburgh buildings. This will be extended to other sites later in the year.