Is it possible to create a zero-waste society?
The Scottish government certainly think so. But with only 34.3% of rubbish collected around Scotland currently being recycled or composted, they have their work cut out for them.
The just -released Zero Waste Plan by Scottish government offers numerous proposals as to how to reach this goal, ranging from maintaining an already implemented ban on sending hazardous waste to landfill to improvements in recycling facilities and an increased focus on product re-use.
In order for the plan to work, however, Scottish environmental secretary Richard Lochhead says that people and businesses will have change their mindset regarding waste and start thinking of it more as a resource rather than a problem.
The government sees the zero waste plan as having not only environmental benefits but also major economic benefits by creating thousands of new jobs and new business opportunities.
Currently undergoing a 12-week consultation process aimed at obtaining comments and suggestions, officials hope the final Zero Waste Plan document will be drafted by early 2010.
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