On a visit to Kinwegar Recycling Centre on 19th October to coincide with Recycle Week 2023 Scottish Labour MSP Sarah Boyack has said that the Scottish Government’s proposed Circular Economy Bill must support councils, not ask them to do more with less.
Following discussions earlier in the year with councillors across Scotland Ms Boyack was concerned at the lack and uncertainty of support the Scottish Government is providing councils in planning for and implementing changes to household waste recycling currently indicated in the Bill.
Commenting, Ms Boyack said: “Our visit to Kinwegar Recycling Centre showed first hand the brilliant work many local councils are doing in helping increase recycling and reuse.
“However, it is clear that SNP/Green Scottish Government’s failure to fund our local services properly will jeopardise our goal of reducing waste.
“First we had Lorna Slater’s disastrous handling of the Deposit Return Scheme followed by a UK Tory Government’s abdication of climate responsibility, now councillors are again worried about being asked to do more with less.
“Scottish Labour will take a proactive approach to the Bill to ensure it truly boosts recycling and reuse and delivers a circular economy in our communities.”
Labour councillor for local Preston Seton Gosford ward, Brooke Ritchie said, “East Lothian Council was rightly named in the top ten for waste recycling rates in Scotland, but without additional funding the SNP/Green Scottish Government are putting that at risk.
“It’s time the SNP/Green Scottish Government matched the funding with the rhetoric and funded councils properly.”