An Act of the Scottish Parliament to require the Scottish Ministers to prepare and publish a circular economy strategy; to make provision about circular economy targets; to make provision about the reduction, recycling and management of waste; and for connected purposes.
Enacted
The Bill for this Act of the Scottish Parliament was passed by the Parliament on 26th June 2024 and received Royal Assent on 8th August 2024
1The Scottish Ministers must prepare a circular economy strategy.2The circular economy strategy—amust set out the Scottish Ministers’ objectives relating to developing a circular economy,bmust set out the Scottish Ministers’ plans for meeting those objectives (including priorities for action),cmust set out arrangements for monitoring progress towards meeting the objectives,dmay set out any other matters relating to developing a circular economy that the Scottish Ministers consider should be included.3In preparing the circular economy strategy, the Scottish Ministers must have regard to the desirability of the economy being one in which—aprocesses for the production and distribution of goods, products and materials are designed so as to reduce their consumption and their whole life-cycle carbon emissions,bthe delivery of services is designed so as to reduce the consumption and whole life-cycle carbon emissions of goods, products and materials,cgoods, products and materials are kept in use for as long as possible to reduce their consumption, their whole life-cycle carbon emissions and their impacts on the environment,dthe maximum value is extracted from goods, products and materials by the persons using them,egoods, products and materials are recovered or, where appropriate, regenerated at the end of their useful life,fwaste is managed in Scotland if it is appropriate to do so,gdue diligence in relation to environmental protection and human rights is exercised in supply chains.4In preparing the circular economy strategy, the Scottish Ministers must have regard to the following waste hierarchy—awaste prevention,bpreparing for re-use,crecycling,dother recovery, including energy recovery,edisposal.5In preparing the circular economy strategy, the Scottish Ministers must have regard to the just transition principles set out in section 35C of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.6In preparing the circular economy strategy, the Scottish Ministers must have regard to the desirability of encouraging the kinds of behavioural changes, and public education and skills, which would be required to meet the objectives set out in the strategy.7In preparing the circular economy strategy, the Scottish Ministers must have regard to the circular economy targets imposed by regulations made under section 6.8In preparing the circular economy strategy, the Scottish Ministers must have regard to the role that re-use, refill and take-back schemes have in contributing to the development of a circular economy.9In preparing the circular economy strategy, the Scottish Ministers must have regard to the importance of consumer and workplace safety.10In preparing the circular economy strategy, the Scottish Ministers must have regard to the potential international impacts of their circular economy policies.11In preparing the circular economy strategy, the Scottish Ministers must have regard to—aencouraging equal opportunities (within the meaning of Section L2 of Part 2 of schedule 5 of the Scotland Act 1998), andbfurthering the reduction of inequalities of outcome which result from socio-economic disadvantage.12In considering priorities for action under subsection (2)(b), the Scottish Ministers must have particular regard to sectors and systems most likely to contribute to developing a circular economy, with reference to the following criteria for identifying those sectors and systems—aachieving the net-zero emissions target set out in section A1 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009,breducing the consumption and whole life-cycle carbon emissions of goods, products and materials,cmaximising the value of the circular economy in Scotland,dconsidering the wider environmental impact of particular sectors and systems.13The circular economy strategy must be prepared with a view to achieving consistency, so far as practicable, between the objectives and plans set out in the strategy and—athe climate change plan prepared under section 35 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009,bthe environmental policy strategy prepared under section 47 of the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021, andcany other strategy or plan which the Scottish Ministers consider to be relevant.14The Scottish Ministers must have regard to the circular economy strategy in making policies (including proposals for legislation).15In subsection (14), making policies includes developing, adopting and revising policies.
In preparing the circular economy strategy, the Scottish Ministers must publish a draft strategy and consult—asuch persons as they consider may have an interest in the strategy, including public sector, private sector, charitable and international organisations,bsuch other persons as they consider appropriate, andcthe general public.
1The Scottish Ministers must—apublish the circular economy strategy in such manner as they consider appropriate, andblay a copy of the strategy before the Scottish Parliament.2Subsection (1) must be complied with before the end of the period of 2 years beginning with the day on which this section comes into force.3As soon as practicable after complying with subsection (1), the Scottish Ministers must—apublish a report setting out—ithe consultation process undertaken in order to comply with section 2, andiithe ways in which, in preparing the circular economy strategy, the Scottish Ministers have taken account of views expressed in the course of that process, andblay a copy of the report before the Scottish Parliament.
1The Scottish Ministers—amust keep the circular economy strategy under review, andbmay revise it as they consider appropriate.2If the Scottish Ministers have not revised and republished the circular economy strategy within the period of 5 years beginning with the day on which the circular economy strategy was last published, they must revise the strategy.3Sections 1(2) to (13), 2 and 3(1) and (3) apply in relation to revising the circular economy strategy as they apply in relation to preparing the first circular economy strategy.
1The Scottish Ministers must, as soon as practicable after the end of each reporting period, prepare a report setting out—aprogress made in the reporting period in respect of the objectives and plans included in the circular economy strategy,bwhere any objectives have not been met, the measures the Scottish Ministers propose to meet those objectives,csteps taken in the reporting period to keep the circular economy strategy under review.2The Scottish Ministers must—apublish the report in such manner as they consider appropriate, andblay a copy of the report before the Scottish Parliament.3In this section, “reporting period” means the period of 30 months beginning with the day on which the circular economy strategy was last published.
1The Scottish Ministers must by regulations make provision imposing targets on the Scottish Ministers relating to developing a circular economy.2In considering the imposition of targets under subsection (1), the Scottish Ministers must have regard to the desirability of the economy being one in which—aprocesses for the production and distribution of goods, products and materials are designed so as to reduce their consumption and their whole life-cycle carbon emissions,bthe delivery of services is designed so as to reduce the consumption and whole life-cycle carbon emissions of goods, products and materials,cgoods, products and materials are kept in use for as long as possible to reduce their consumption, their whole life-cycle carbon emissions and their impacts on the environment,dthe maximum value is extracted from goods, products and materials by the persons using them,egoods, products and materials are recovered or, where appropriate, regenerated at the end of their useful life,fwaste is managed in Scotland if it is appropriate to do so,gdue diligence in relation to environmental protection and human rights is exercised in supply chains.3Regulations under subsection (1) may in particular—aprovide for targets in relation to one or more of the following—ireducing carbon emissions associated with the consumption of materials,iiincreasing re-use,iiiincreasing refurbishment,ivincreasing repair,vincreasing recycling,vireducing waste,bprioritise sectors and systems most likely to contribute to developing a circular economy, with reference to the criteria for identifying those sectors and systems set out in section 1(12),cprovide for targets to be reviewed.4Regulations under subsection (1) are subject to the affirmative procedure (but see section 8 in relation to the first regulations).5Before laying a draft of a Scottish statutory instrument containing regulations under subsection (1) before the Scottish Parliament, the Scottish Ministers must consult—asuch persons as they consider may have an interest in the targets, including public sector, private sector, charitable and international organisations,bsuch other persons as they consider appropriate, andcthe general public.6Regulations under subsection (1) may—amake different provision for different purposes or areas,bmake incidental, supplementary, consequential, transitional, transitory or saving provision.
I7I587 Circular economy targets: monitoring and reporting¶
1Regulations under section 6(1) must set out arrangements for—amonitoring progress towards achieving targets, andbreporting on progress towards achieving targets.2Provision under subsection (1)(b) must require that each report sets out—aprogress the Scottish Ministers have made towards achieving targets in the period covered by the report, andbany action the Scottish Ministers are taking to achieve targets.3Provision under subsection (1)(b) must require that—athe report is published in such manner as the Scottish Ministers consider appropriate, andba copy of the report is laid before the Scottish Parliament.
I8I598 Circular economy targets: pre-laying procedure for first regulations¶
1This section applies where the Scottish Ministers propose to lay before the Scottish Parliament a draft of a statutory instrument containing the first regulations under section 6(1).2The Scottish Ministers must, before doing so, lay before the Parliament—aa copy of the proposed regulations, andba statement setting out their reasons for proposing to make those regulations.3The Scottish Ministers must, when laying such a copy, specify a period (the “representation period”) during which representations on the proposed regulations may be made to them.4The representation period must be at least 90 days, of which no fewer than 30 must be days on which the Parliament is not dissolved or in recess.5The Scottish Ministers must, as soon as reasonably practicable after laying a copy of the proposed regulations, publicise them in such manner as they consider appropriate.6The Scottish Ministers must, before laying the proposed regulations before the Parliament, have regard to—aany representations on the proposed regulations made to them,bany resolution relating to those regulations passed by the Parliament, andcany report relating to those regulations published by any committee of the Parliament for the time being appointed by virtue of standing orders,before the expiry of the representation period.7The Scottish Ministers must, when laying such proposed regulations, lay a statement setting out—adetails of any representations, resolutions or reports mentioned in subsection (6), andbthe changes (if any) they have made to the proposed regulations in response to such representations, resolutions or reports and the reasons for those changes.8In this section, “proposed regulations” means a draft of a statutory instrument to which subsection (1) applies.
Restrictions on the disposal of unsold consumer goods¶
I9I609 Restrictions on the disposal of unsold consumer goods¶
1The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 is modified as follows.2After section 78 insert—
I10I3810 Power to require imposition of charges for single-use items¶
1The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 is modified as follows.2In section 83(4), for “In this section and in section 84,” substitute “For the purpose of this section and any regulations made under it,”.3In section 84, after subsection (7) insert—
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4After section 87 insert—
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5The italic heading immediately preceding section 88 is omitted.6The italic heading immediately preceding section 88A is omitted.7In section 88A—ain subsection (2), after “section” insert “87A or”,bthe title of the section becomes “Offences relating to supply of chargeable items: fixed penalty notices”.8In section 97(1)—athe word “or” immediately following paragraph (a) is repealed,bafter paragraph (b) insert—
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9In section 98, the definition of “packaging” is repealed.
I11I3911 Fixed penalty notices for fly-tipping offences¶
1The Environmental Protection Act 1990 is modified as follows.2In section 33A, in subsection (10)—athe words from “substitute” to the end become paragraph (a),bin paragraph (a), for “level 2” substitute “level 3”,cafter paragraph (a) insert—
1In section 59 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990—aafter subsection (1) insert—
,
bin subsection (2), for “the sheriff by way of summary application” substitute “the Scottish Ministers”,cin subsection (3)—iafter “court” insert “or the Scottish Ministers (as the case may be)”,iiafter “is” insert “or they are”,din subsection (4)—iafter “court” insert “or the Scottish Ministers (as the case may be)”,iiafter “it” insert “or they”,eafter subsection (9) insert—
.
2In section 114(2) of the Environment Act 1995, in paragraph (a)(iii), after “22(5),” insert “59(2),”.
I22I6622 Duty to make information publicly available¶
1The Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 is modified as follows.2In schedule 2 (particular purposes for which provision may be made under section 18: information, publicity and consultation), after paragraph 14 insert—
1The Scottish Ministers must prepare and publish a waste reprocessing infrastructure report.2A waste reprocessing infrastructure report is to set out the Scottish Ministers’ policies and proposals for the use and development of waste reprocessing infrastructure.3A waste reprocessing infrastructure report must map out—acurrent waste infrastructure,bplanned waste infrastructure,cany proposed infrastructure by the Scottish Ministers or other relevant bodies.4In preparing the waste reprocessing infrastructure report, the Scottish Ministers must have regard to any National Planning Framework published by them under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997.5The Scottish Ministers must lay a waste reprocessing infrastructure report before the Scottish Parliament.6The Scottish Ministers must prepare and publish the waste reprocessing infrastructure report before the expiry of one year beginning with the day after Royal Assent.
Zero Waste Scotland: application of public bodies legislation¶
I24I4224 Zero Waste Scotland: application of public bodies legislation¶
The schedule modifies other Acts so that their provisions apply to Zero Waste Scotland.
1The Scottish Ministers may by regulations make any incidental, supplementary, consequential, transitional, transitory or saving provision they consider appropriate for the purposes of, in connection with or for giving full effect to this Act or any provision made under it.2Regulations under this section may—amake different provision for different purposes,bmodify any enactment (including this Act).3Regulations under this section—aare subject to the affirmative procedure if they add to, replace or omit any part of the text of an Act, butbotherwise are subject to the negative procedure.
1The following provisions come into force on the day after Royal Assent: this section and sections 26 and 28.2The other provisions of this Act come into force on such day as the Scottish Ministers may by regulations appoint.3Regulations under this section may—ainclude transitional, transitory or saving provision,bmake different provision for different purposes.
Zero Waste Scotland: application of public bodies legislation
(introduced by section 24)
I29I441 Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000¶
1The Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 is modified as follows.2In schedule 3 (devolved public bodies), after the entry relating to the Water Industry Commission for Scotland insert—
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I30I452 Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002¶
1The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 is modified as follows.2In Part 7 of schedule 1 (other Scottish public authorities to which the Act applies), after paragraph 106 insert—
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I31I463 Public Appointments and Public Bodies etc. (Scotland) Act 2003¶
1The Public Appointments and Public Bodies etc. (Scotland) Act 2003 is modified as follows.2In schedule 2 (the specified authorities), under the heading of “Executive bodies”, after the entry relating to the Water Industry Commission for Scotland insert—
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I32I474 Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010¶
1The Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 is modified as follows.2In schedule 5 (improvement of public functions: listed bodies), under the heading of “Scottish public authorities with mixed functions or no reserved functions”, after the entry relating to the Water Industry Commission for Scotland insert—
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3In schedule 8 (information on exercise of public functions: listed public bodies), after the entry relating to the Water Industry Commission for Scotland insert—
1The Public Records (Scotland) Act 2011 is modified as follows.2In the schedule (authorities to which Part 1 of the Act applies), under the heading of “Others”, after the entry relating to the Water Industry Commission for Scotland insert—
1The Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 is modified as follows.2In Part 3 of the schedule (other contracting authorities to which the Act applies), after paragraph 69 insert—
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I35I507 Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Act 2018¶
1The Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Act 2018 is modified as follows.2In schedule 1 (public authorities), after the entry relating to West Highland College UHI insert—
1The Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 is modified as follows.2In the schedule (relevant authorities), under the heading of “Scottish public authorities with mixed or no reserved functions”, after paragraph 37 insert—
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Footnotes
I1
S. 1 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 27
I2
S. 2 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 27
I3
S. 3 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 27
I4
S. 4 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 27
I5
S. 5 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 27
I6
S. 6 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 27
I7
S. 7 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 27
I8
S. 8 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 27
I9
S. 9 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 27
I10
S. 10 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 27
I11
S. 11 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 27
I12
S. 12 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 27
I13
S. 13 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 27
I14
S. 14 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 27
I15
S. 15 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 27
I16
S. 16 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 27
I17
S. 17 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 27
I18
S. 18 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 27
I19
S. 19 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 27
I20
S. 20 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 27
I21
S. 21 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 27
I22
S. 22 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 27
I23
S. 23 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 27
I24
S. 24 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 27
I25
S. 25 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 27
I26
S. 26 in force at 9.8.2024, see s. 27(1)
I27
S. 27 in force at 9.8.2024, see s. 27(1)
I28
S. 28 in force at 9.8.2024, see s. 27(1)
I29
Sch. para. 1 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 27
I30
Sch. para. 2 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 27
I31
Sch. para. 3 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 27
I32
Sch. para. 4 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 27
I33
Sch. para. 5 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 27
I34
Sch. para. 6 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 27
I35
Sch. para. 7 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 27
I36
Sch. para. 8 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 27
I37
S. 21 in force at 4.2.2025 by S.S.I. 2025/10, reg. 2
I38
S. 10 in force at 1.4.2025 by S.S.I. 2025/10, reg. 3(a)
I39
S. 11 in force at 1.4.2025 by S.S.I. 2025/10, reg. 3(b)
I40
S. 13 in force at 1.4.2025 by S.S.I. 2025/10, reg. 3(c)
I41
S. 23 in force at 1.4.2025 by S.S.I. 2025/10, reg. 3(d)
I42
S. 24 in force at 1.4.2025 by S.S.I. 2025/10, reg. 3(e)
I43
S. 25 in force at 1.4.2025 by S.S.I. 2025/10, reg. 3(f)
I44
Sch. para. 1 in force at 1.4.2025 by S.S.I. 2025/10, reg. 3(g)
I45
Sch. para. 2 in force at 1.4.2025 by S.S.I. 2025/10, reg. 3(g)
I46
Sch. para. 3 in force at 1.4.2025 by S.S.I. 2025/10, reg. 3(g)
I47
Sch. para. 4 in force at 1.4.2025 by S.S.I. 2025/10, reg. 3(g)
I48
Sch. para. 5 in force at 1.4.2025 by S.S.I. 2025/10, reg. 3(g)
I49
Sch. para. 6 in force at 1.4.2025 by S.S.I. 2025/10, reg. 3(g)
I50
Sch. para. 7 in force at 1.4.2025 by S.S.I. 2025/10, reg. 3(g)
I51
Sch. para. 8 in force at 1.4.2025 by S.S.I. 2025/10, reg. 3(g)
I52
S. 1 in force at 1.8.2025 by S.S.I. 2025/170, reg. 2, sch.
I53
S. 2 in force at 1.8.2025 by S.S.I. 2025/170, reg. 2, sch.
I54
S. 3 in force at 1.8.2025 by S.S.I. 2025/170, reg. 2, sch.
I55
S. 4 in force at 1.8.2025 by S.S.I. 2025/170, reg. 2, sch.
I56
S. 5 in force at 1.8.2025 by S.S.I. 2025/170, reg. 2, sch.
I57
S. 6 in force at 1.8.2025 by S.S.I. 2025/170, reg. 2, sch.
I58
S. 7 in force at 1.8.2025 by S.S.I. 2025/170, reg. 2, sch.
I59
S. 8 in force at 1.8.2025 by S.S.I. 2025/170, reg. 2, sch.
I60
S. 9 in force at 1.8.2025 by S.S.I. 2025/170, reg. 2, sch.
I61
S. 12 in force at 1.8.2025 for specified purposes by S.S.I. 2025/170, reg. 2, sch.
I62
S. 14 in force at 1.8.2025 for specified purposes by S.S.I. 2025/170, reg. 2, sch.
I63
S. 15 in force at 1.8.2025 for specified purposes by S.S.I. 2025/170, reg. 2, sch.
I64
S. 18 in force at 1.8.2025 for specified purposes by S.S.I. 2025/170, reg. 2, sch.
I65
S. 19 in force at 1.8.2025 for specified purposes by S.S.I. 2025/170, reg. 2, sch.
I66
S. 22 in force at 1.8.2025 by S.S.I. 2025/170, reg. 2, sch.
F1
S. 20(1) repealed (1.11.2025) by The Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025 (S.S.I. 2025/165), reg. 1(2), sch. 21 para. 1 (with sch. 23)
F2
S. 20(3) repealed (1.11.2025) by The Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025 (S.S.I. 2025/165), reg. 1(2), sch. 21 para. 1 (with sch. 23)