Episode 84: Waste Reprocessing Capacity in Scotland

Описание: This week, Alasdair and Jane tackle one of the biggest questions in Scotland’s circular economy: how much of our waste can we actually recycle and reprocess here at home?

Based on a new Scottish Government Waste Reprocessing Capacity Report, they explore where Scotland is making progress — and where big gaps remain. From plastics and paper to food waste and textiles, the hosts unpack what’s really happening behind the statistics and why so much of our “recycling” still ends up exported.

The main topic this week delves into the Scottish Government’s Waste Reprocessing Capacity Report, produced under the Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024. Alasdair and Jane unpack what the data actually tells us — and what it doesn’t.

The report identifies 169 licensed reprocessing sites with another 14 planned, but Jane questions how many are truly “reprocessing” rather than simply sorting and baling materials for export. Together, they examine key waste streams — from plastics and metals to glass, wood, textiles and organics — revealing a mixed picture of progress.

Success stories include glass (thanks to facilities like the plant at Alloa) and construction waste, where most concrete and aggregates are reused domestically.

Major gaps remain in plastics, paper, textiles, and electronics — where most materials are exported rather than recycled in Scotland. Even wood and food waste processing rely on a limited number of certified sites, far below what’s needed for future demand.

They also highlight emerging challenges with batteries, wind turbines, and mattresses, where infrastructure is scarce or non-existent. “It’s mad,” says Alasdair, “we’ve had wind turbines for decades, but still no national strategy for recycling them.”

Their conclusion? Scotland’s circular economy ambitions hinge on domestic reprocessing investment — not just collection targets. As Jane puts it, “We start strong on strategy, but we never seem to finish. The market waits for certainty, and by the time it arrives, we’ve already kicked the can down the road.”