Packaging reduction and recycling are a major strand of the Scottish Government's waste strategy that aims to create a 'zero-waste Scotland'.

The Scottish Government said the strategy would provide the framework to reach its goal of a zero-waste Scotland. A consultation launched yesterday and will run until November. The final document will be published next year.

A lot of the focus on packaging is based around existing work being carried out by organisations such as Wrap and Envirowise to reduce the amount of packaging placed on the market.

Regulations covering so-called excess packaging remain at Westminster via the packaging essential requirements, although producer responsibility is a devolved institution issue.

The report also calls for an "accessible, efficient and effective" recycling system to gain high quality materials for reuse. It plans to increase the volume and number of materials collected at kerbside.

The Scottish Government said it would review the voluntary retailer agreement to reduce carrier bag usage next year, although confirmed it currently has no plans to introduce a charge.

Scottish environment secretary Richard Lochhead described the strategy as a positive step for Scotland. "We are viewing waste as a resource rather than a problem. There are major economic benefits, as well as environmental gains, to be had including creating thousands of jobs and new business opportunities."

The Scottish Government said as part of the consultation it was also welcoming comments on the packaging strategy that was published in June.

The consultation document can be read by clicking here. Annex N focuses on packaging waste and is found at page 250.

PACKAGING AS PROPORTION OF SCOTTISH HOUSEHOLD WASTE

Garden waste 23 %
Paper & cardboard 18 %
Kitchen waste (i.e. food) 17 %
General household sweepings 9 %
Plastics 8 %
Glass 7 %
Scrap metal 5 %
Wood 5 %
Textiles 3 %
Metal packaging 3 %
Nappies 2 %