Scottish government signs up to Wrap initiative

The Scottish government has signed up to the Waste and Resources Action Programme (Wrap) initiative.

Wrap aims to halve the amount of construction-related waste sent to landfill sites by 2012.

Speaking last week, environment secretary Richard Lockhead said the construction sector in Scotland is responsible for generating around 120 million tonnes of waste every year.

"Landfill is better regulated and better run than ever before, but we must continue the move away from landfill and obtain value from our waste," he commented.

Environment minister Roseanna Cunningham said that although progress has been made, there is still much to achieve, adding that the government's key message is to strive for a "zero waste society".

Meanwhile, England's environment secretary Hilary Benn last week announced plans to tackle packaging waste by looking at the entire production chain.

Consumers will be encouraged to report excessive packaging to Trading Standards, while businesses will be given guidance on how to reduce waste.

Written by Joseph Hutton