Cost Benefit Analysis of Standardising Existing Code of Practice for Household Waste Recycling

2026-11-03

The co-design of the new Code of Practice for Household Waste Recycling will take an evidence-based approach, building on the existing Code of Practice2, identifying areas that can be strengthened and updated in order to deliver better services across Scotland and increase recycling rates, including considering new products or materials for inclusion. The process will leverage the current approach and build on what we know works. It will utilise the expertise within Scottish Local Authorities and beyond, and build on the platform created by previous research, aiding local authorities to in meeting future local statutory targets from 2030. This will and improve consistency of services. We believe that putting the new code on a statutory footing will provide a clear strategic direction for household recycling in Scotland and accelerate improvements to both the quality and quantity of recycling.Scotland’s waste targets include aims to recycle 60% of household waste by 2020, to recycle 70% of all waste by 2025 and landfill less than 5% of all waste by 2025. Although Scotland’s recycling rates have improved significantly over the long-term, progress has slowed in recent years and the Scottish household recycling rate has plateaued at around 42-45%. Key challenges include variation in local provision, quality and uptake of recycling services across local authorities, and over-reliance on existing social norms to boost recycling rates. Further action is therefore needed to ensure that the 60% target can be achieved as soon as possible.In order to ensure that the co-design of the new Code of Practice is robust and evidence based, an understanding of the potential impact of all Local Authorities implementing key parts of the current Code of Practice is essential. An indication of how this would compare to the implementation of the revised Code of Practice drafted in 2021 would help to provide a useful indicator of how changes might impact. The co-design process has begun, with the first workshop held with representatives from Local Authorities. A baseline of evidence is required to assess the impact of the existing Code of Practice including a cost benefit analysis and level of funding required for all Local Authorities adhering to the proposals in the existing Code of Practice.CPV: 73000000, 73000000.

United Kingdom (UK)

2025-11-13