A recent survey conducted by Survation on behalf of Alupro shows strong public demand for the Scottish Government to take decisive action on waste management and recycling. The poll, which was carried out between January 7-13, 2025, reveals that 69% of Scots believe local authority recycling systems must be urgently improved, while 61% support the introduction of a deposit return scheme (DRS) by 2027 at the latest.
The call for reform comes amid mounting concerns regarding Scotland’s recycling performance, which has stagnated in recent years. Official statistics indicate that Scotland’s household waste recycling rate was just 43.5% in 2023, a figure that lags behind other parts of the UK. In comparison, Wales achieved a higher household recycling rate of 64.6% in 2023-24, while Northern Ireland reached 54.5% between April and June 2024. England’s recycling rate stood at 43.4% in 2022, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
These figures underline the challenges Scotland faces in improving its waste management systems, particularly when it comes to the consistent collection of recyclable materials. The survey’s findings highlight public dissatisfaction with current recycling practices, and call for enhanced local authority kerbside collections to ensure all recyclable packaging is effectively gathered and processed.
Alupro, an organization representing the aluminum packaging industry, emphasized the importance of a successful deposit return scheme in driving the recycling effort forward. The scheme, which involves incentivizing the return of plastic bottles and cans for recycling, has been seen as a key tool in boosting recycling rates and reducing litter. Tom Giddings, Executive Director at Alupro, stressed that the successful implementation of Scotland’s DRS is critical for meeting the public’s expectations and for advancing the nation’s environmental goals.
As pressure mounts on the Scottish Government to act, this survey underscores the urgency of addressing waste and recycling challenges. With clear public backing for reforms, the introduction of a deposit return scheme by 2027, alongside improvements to local authority recycling services, could play a significant role in enhancing Scotland’s recycling performance in the coming years.
