Perth and Kinross Council's Waste Management Plan for 2010-2025 achieved significant successes in recycling, waste reduction, and infrastructure development, Councillors will be told.
Members of the Climate Change and Sustainability Committee will be provided with a final update on the 15-year Waste Management Plan at a meeting on Wednesday 20 August.
They will also hear that as the plan concludes, the Council is turning its focus to an ambitious new Circular Economy Strategy aimed at transforming how resources are used,eliminating waste and promoting the continual use of resources through practices like recycling, reusing, and refurbishing.
Councillors will be told that under the 15-year Waste Management Plan:
- Recycling rates increased from 42% in 2009/10 to 51.7% in 2023, higher than the Scottish average of 43.5, placing PKC 9th out of 32 local authorities.
- Weekly waste per person reduced from 10.4kg to 5.8kg.
- Climate change emissions due to waste reduced by 73,443 tonnes of CO2 - the equivalent to taking 16,000 cars off the road every year.
- This was supported by behavioural and local media campaigns to raise awareness of issues such as waste minimisation, reuse, food waste reduction/recycling and textile re-use.
- Over 71,000 households received new bins under a twin-stream recycling system, further improving recycling rates and reducing waste contamination significantly.
- A 10-year contract signed with Paprec Energies - Binn will ensure compliance with a ban on biodegradable household waste going to landfill later this year.
- New food waste hubs have been introduced in key towns, with public awareness campaigns to encourage use.
- The Council has supported and helped to implement the ban on disposable vapes to protect public health and biodiversity.
As the 2010-25 Waste Management Plan has now ended, the Council has produced a draft Circular Economy Strategy and Action Plan looking at how waste will be managed into the future, focusing on four key priorities:
- Reduce and Reuse - Encouraging responsible consumption and production, reducing food and textile waste, and promoting best practices across Council services.
- Modernise Recycling - Enhancing household and commercial recycling services to meet evolving needs.
- Decarbonise Disposal - Innovating waste management processes to improve environmental outcomes and reduce carbon emissions.
- Strengthen the Circular Economy - Supporting circular businesses, construction practices, and regional collaboration.
A public consultation will be launched in September 2025, inviting residents, businesses, and stakeholders to shape the final Circular Economy Strategy.
Committee Vice Convener, Councillor Liz Barrett, said:"This marks a pivotal moment for the way we manage our waste in Perth and Kinross. I'm very pleased that we've made hugely positive strides over the last 15 years, ahead of Scottish averages. Now we're ready to take the next step towards a truly circular economy - one that benefits our environment, economy, and communities.
"This needs everyone in Perth and Kinross to work with us to play their part, as we move to eliminate waste as far as we can through recycling, reusing, and refurbishing.
"I would encourage everyone to take part in the consultation that will be held later in the year, so that the final Circular Economy Strategy reflects all views. The Strategy will then be presented to the Climate Change & Sustainability Committee in early 2026 for approval."
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