Furious Labour MSP Jackie Baillie is warning the Scottish Government to reverse Scotland’s “embarrassing” recycling record as Glasgow gets set to host a key climate change summit.

The most recent recycling target was for 60 percent of household waste to be recycled by 2020 – but in 2019, the percentage achieved was only 44.9 percent, she claims.

Both Argyll and Bute and West Dunbartonshire Councils significantly failed to meet the milestone with just 38.6 percent and 44.8 percent being recycled respectively. There is currently no national household recycling target.

COP26 will see world leaders descend on Glasgow later this month to discuss the climate emergency.

COP26 climate change conference Signs, flags, logos, banners in Glasgow.
The COP26 summit later this month will see thousands of delegates come to Glasgow to discuss climate change.

The MSP said: “The SNP government must get a grip of its embarrassing record on recycling and stop building large-scale incinerators. Both Argyll and Bute and West Dunbartonshire Councils must do far more to ensure that households can recycle quickly and easily.

“Kerbside glass recycling is something that local people in West Dunbartonshire would be keen for and it is the council’s responsibility to listen and act on the needs of local communities. The climate emergency is real, and households should be getting more support to access recycling facilities and reduce their waste.

“Scotland’s recycling rates are going in the wrong direction and with COP26 approaching the SNP should be embarrassed. Scottish Labour would slam the brakes on more incinerators being built, that’s why we have urged SNP and Green ministers to work with us to reduce waste, boost recycling and make Scotland a world-leader on a circular economy.”

Greengairs land fill site August 1998
A huge amount of rubbish is still sent to landfill.

The Scottish Government hit back at the MSP’s claims and a spokesperson said: “We have committed to ending our contribution to climate change within a generation and we are making progress - Scotland is already more than halfway to net zero.

“As well as making our first investments from the £70 million fund to improve Scotland’s recycling infrastructure, it included plans to develop a route map to achieving our target in 2025 and beyond, and an ambitious Circular Economy Bill planned within this Parliamentary session. We recently announced a review into the role incarceration plays in Scotland’s waste hierarchy, including the need for new incineration capacity”

A West Dunbartonshire Council spokesperson said: “We remain committed to improving recycling rates and minimising waste, and continue to work towards Zero Waste Scotland’s national plan with the aim of recycling 70 percent of waste and sending only five percent to landfill by 2025. In addition to providing fortnightly kerbside recycling collections for our residents, we operate recycling centres in Old Kilpatrick and Dumbarton providing further opportunities for recycling.

West Dunbartonshire Council recycling campaign. Bellsmyre L-R Waste Data and Customer Support Officer, Paul Keeley, Louise Bell 9, Lewis Jackson 7, Zoe Shopp 5, Kevin Hannon 5, and John Sartain Waste Services Co-ordinator
West Dunbartonshire Council is keen to encourage recycling.

“We also have 128 recycle points in neighbourhoods across West Dunbartonshire for the collection of glass, clothes, textiles, shoes, books and DVDs, and educate residents via our website and social media channels as well as promoting recycling initiatives.”

An Argyll and Bute Council spokesperson added: “We are committed to making recycling as convenient and sustainable as possible, despite the many challenges presented by Argyll and Bute’s vast area and complicated geography. Household recycling increased by five per cent from 2015 to 2019 although we recognise there is still much work to do. We continue to work with the Scottish Government to identify appropriate solutions for the needs of Argyll and Bute and encourage residents, businesses and visitors to do what they can.”