This is a policy statement and relates to the Official Statistics Publication for Scotland – Scottish Waste From All Sources 2022 published at 9.30am on Tuesday 26 March 2024.

Highlights are:

• Scottish recycling rate reaches all time high as Scottish households, businesses and public services recycle 62.3% of all waste in the latest data (2022) from Scotland’s environmental watchdog, SEPA. 
• The recycling rate increased 5.3% from the 57.0% rate in 2021 – reflecting economic recovery from the pandemic and an increase in the proportion of construction and demolition material recycled. 
• Scotland continues to reduce its reliance on landfill – with only 23.2% of all wastes ending up in landfill – an all-time low. 
• Supporting the shift from landfill is the small but important role played by energy from waste (incineration) facilities, which saw an 8.3% increase in Scottish waste being treated by incineration in 2022. 

Scots are recycling more than ever before as the nation’s recycling rate hits an all-time high in data released by Scotland’s environment watchdog, SEPA. 

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) have published the Scottish Waste From All Sources 2022 Official Statistics, which provide details on waste from Scottish households, businesses and public services.  

Scotland generated 10.16 million tonnes of waste, with 62.3% recycled – the highest recycling rate recorded since the start of the current series in 2011. 

This data reflects the increase in the proportion of construction and demolition waste, as the construction industry rebounded following the pandemic. 

Scots also continued to reduce their reliance on landfill – with 23.2% of all wastes ending up in landfill, for an all-time low figure of 2.30 million tonnes.  

Supporting the shift from landfill is the small but significant role played by energy from waste (incineration) facilities, which saw an 8.3% increase in Scottish waste being treated by incineration in 2022. 

Vicki White, Head of Materials at SEPA said:

“The fact that Scots are recycling more than ever before is great news, with our highest recycling rate on record. The latest data not only shows we’re recycling more and landfilling less, but also that Scottish businesses are continuing to respond to consumers who are continuing to call for less waste and greater resource efficiency.  

“Whilst its clear there’s more to do, this latest data is both encouraging and a key milestone in our journey to a more resource efficient, net zero economy.” 

A key to driving Scotland’s recycling performance is the construction and demolition sector, which saw a further recovery from the pandemic in the latest SEPA data. 

The sector has been boosted by innovation and investment by businesses such as Scottish specialist recycler Brewster Brothers. The company, based in Livingston, won the Scottish Government and SEPA backed Scottish Vision in Business Awards Scotland (VIBES) Circular Scotland Award in 2023.  

The company, which takes construction, demolition and excavation waste from the construction sector and recycles it before selling it back to the construction industry, has invested in new capacity to meet market demand for high quality recycled aggregate products with assistance from Scottish Enterprise’s Green Jobs Fund. 

Scott Brewster, Managing Director of Brewster Brothers, said:

“Scotland’s construction sector recognises that recycling waste and re-using high quality recycled sand and gravel is not only the right thing to do environmentally and socially, but it makes sense economically too.  

“A key to supporting Scotland’s construction sector is modern, efficient and effective recycling infrastructure across Scotland. At Brewster Brother’s we’re committed to that journey, investing in Scottish infrastructure that has diverted over 1.3 million tonnes of waste from landfill and produced about a million tonnes of recycled aggregates to date. It’s a real Scottish success story that has plenty of capacity to grow further, given over a quarter of waste soils (excavation waste) still ends up in landfill.”

Regards

Peter

Peter Finnie | Public AffairsScottish Environment Protection Agency

SEPA launch consultation on review of areas most at risk of flooding across Scotland.

First let me apologise for a second communication in as many days and because I will also be communicating with you shortly with Official Statistics on Waste From All Sources – which may be of interest to Community Councillors.

The designation of Potential Vulnerable Areas (PVAs) is a SEPA science and evidence-led process and feedback from public partners and local communities is key to making sure all relevant impacts are taken into consideration.

Your views and the views of your community on the proposed PVAs will inform essential future flood risk management work so we can improve flooding resilience together and best prepare for a changing climate.

You can help with this SEPA consultation by sharing this message and our asset below, and available through this link, on your social media and with local community/interest groups.

PVAs are areas where significant flood risk exists now or is likely to occur in the future and are used to identify locations where a partnership approach may be required to resolve widespread and often complex flooding issues.

They inform Scotland’s Flood Risk Management (FRM) Plans and Local Flood Risk Management Plans and become the focus of FRM actions, helping responsible authorities to prioritise investment and coordinate actions to reduce the impacts of flooding on communities.

Identifying PVAs is an essential part of protecting people, properties, businesses, communities, infrastructure, and our environment, with an estimated 284,000 homes, businesses and services across Scotland currently identified as at risk of flooding.

This winter, SEPA issued a record number of regional Flood Alerts and local Flood Warnings to the public. A total of 720 messages were sent between 1st September 2023 and 16th February 2024. The previous record of 714 was set over autumn and winter 2015/16.

Siobhan McNulty, Flood Risk Planning Manager at SEPA, said: “Scotland is witnessing an increasing number of extreme weather events and flooding presents a growing threat to our communities.

“It is vital we work together with partners and communities to identify the areas most at risk so we can work together to increase Scotland’s resilience to flooding. PVAs are the first step in this process.”

Informing Scotland’s flood risk management process

Since PVAs were first identified in 2011, SEPA have worked together with partners including local authorities and Scottish Water to plan and deliver actions to manage flood risk in the places where it is needed most.

Based on the National Flood Risk Assessment, PVAs are updated and published by SEPA every six years as required by the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009. The designation of PVAs takes into consideration past, current and future flood risk from rivers, the sea and surface water using recorded events, observations and strategic flood modelling.

SEPA are now consulting on proposed updates to PVAs for 2024. The review will focus on smaller, community-based target areas set within wider zones of influence to provide clearer information on how flood risk is tackled in Scotland.

Once the PVAs are formally designated by Scottish Ministers, SEPA will then prepare FRM plans to set objectives and actions for reducing flood risk. The local FRM plans published by each lead local authority will then provide more detail, including timescales and funding. 

Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy Màiri McAllan said: “Managing our exposure to floods and their impacts is a significant and growing challenge as climate change brings more severe and frequent flood events.

“Improving resilience to flooding is a priority for the Scottish Government, so I welcome the launch of this consultation and I encourage all parties with a potential interest to engage with it.”

Helping communities at greatest flood risk

One community that has historically suffered from flooding is Stonehaven, which has been designated a PVA since the first cycle in 2011.

Several actions have since been identified and delivered through flood risk management plans developed by SEPA and Aberdeenshire Council, with input from the Stonehaven Flood Action Group and the wider community.

These include the completion of the Stonehaven Flood Protection Scheme which is designed to protect against flooding from the Glaslaw Burn and the River Carron, and benefits around 370 homes and businesses by reducing fluvial flooding. Other actions that have been delivered for Stonehaven are a new coastal flood warning system, updated coastal flood hazard maps and the completion of the Stonehaven Bay coastal flood study.

Cllr Alan Turner, Chair of Aberdeenshire Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee, said: “I was delighted to see the completion of the Stonehaven Flood Protection Scheme. This demonstrates real progress being made to mitigate flooding impacts in the town.

“The scheme was built following consultation and engagement with the residents, businesses, and the Stonehaven Flood Action Group. That entire process started with a PVA assessment, where coordinated actions were established through PVA recommendations.

“A PVA designation is an invaluable aid – firstly in the understanding of potential impacts of flooding and secondly through the implementation of tangible solutions which will provide reassurance to communities.”

Have your say on PVAs

While the designation of PVAs is a science and evidence-led process, feedback from public partners and local communities is key to making sure all relevant impacts are taken into consideration.

Siobhan McNulty said: “Whether you have previously been affected by flooding or have concerns about potential future impacts for your home, business or community, we want to hear from you.

“Your views on the proposed PVAs will inform essential future flood risk management work so we can improve flooding resilience together and best prepare for a changing climate.”

You and your communities can respond to the consultation on PVAs via Citizen Space until 24 June 2024.

Regards

Peter

Peter Finnie | Public AffairsScottish Environment Protection Agency
	44 (0)7787669459
	Peter.Finnie@sepa.org.uk
	Strathallan House I Castle Business Park I Stirling I FK9 4TZ

It’s that time of year where the annual roadside litter pick organised by Fiona is taking place on the weekend of the 14th/15th of April. There are already members of the community who generously give their time doing the bit between the village and the school throughout the year.

It would be greatly appreciated if you could give your time for a wee walk and help keep our community looking nice. contact cairns.fiona@yahoo.co.uk.

On Thursday the 4th there is an organised litter pick for the end of the beach where all the area has been cleared in an attempt to stop visitors setting the beach on fire. This has revealed a lot of litter. See the notice below for this event ,thank you

Dear Community Group/Community Council/Colleagues,

Welcome to The Highland Council’s fortnightly briefing containing information about support, resources, and events for local communities.

If you have anything you wish to be included in a future briefing, please contact policy6@highland.gov.uk

To join the mailing list for this briefing please complete this short survey: https://forms.office.com/e/rSS3hXbGTa

Funding 

• SCVO  is a key source of funding information for the third sector.
• HTSI Funding Support and Advice
• Youth Work Grants & Funding Directory
• Get Grants – provides practical support, training, and advice relating to fundraising.
• The Service Pupil Support Programme will award grants of £5,000 to £80,000 to projects supporting Service children along their educational pathway.
• Volant Charitable Trust Small Grants Programme – This fund has a focus on organisations addressing poverty and deprivation, supporting vulnerable groups who are the most affected.

Community Training, Events, & News

• Raising Teens with Confidence – this free course for parents and carers who have experienced the impact of substance use on a family member and have a child aged between 11 – 16 in the house. The course will run on Tuesday evenings from 7-8 30pm, starting from 23^rd April and will run for 6 weeks. The course can take a maximum of 10 people, to book a place email: victoria.clark5@nhs.scot
• Health Inequalities: Why Bother – this course explores why tackling inequality is the responsibility of everyone, how to tackle health inequality, and how to apply this learning. The course will be held April 9^th at 2-4pm. Enquiries: nhsh.healthimprovementtraining@nhs.scot
  • Non NHS staff will need to register on Turas
  • Course link
• Planet Youth Newsletter March – topics include:
  • free online conference April 18^th looking at ways to help improve young people’s mental and physical health – register here
  • Information for parents about teenagers and alcohol
• Highlands & Islands Climate Hub – They are looking to hear about successes from this month to include in their newsletter, such as funding secured, new volunteers or staff, upcoming events, or goals for this year. To be included send a short paragraph to enquires@hiclimatehub.co.uk.
• Highland Place Standard – this survey is about gathering people’s experiences the Highlands. Answers will help shape future plans, including Local Development Plans and the Highland Outcome Improvement Plan.

Welfare & Poverty Reduction

• Highland Whole Family Wellbeing Programme – This platform is intended to share information about anything relating to holistic family wellbeing and support.
• Cost of living support – Highland Council webpages on support and information to help with the cost of living.
• Help during the cost-of-living crisis – Scottish Government advice and information.
• CAB Energy Advice – Citizens Advice Bureau offer free, impartial energy advice to householders. They provide advice to help reduce household energy use, save money, and understand energy bills and support householders to manage energy debt. This can be done in person, over the phone or by video call. 0800 028 1456 will bring you to an interactive service which will connect you to the relevant service or you can enter your postcode here to find your local Citizen Advice bureau.
• Armed Forces & Veterans: Education, Health & Housing – Information to support and signpost Highland’s Armed Forces Community:

Mental Health & Wellbeing

• Think Health Think Nature Newsletter March 
• NHS Highland Mental Wellbeing – a collection of resources and signposts to help people of all ages to look after their own mental wellbeing. Register for the event by following the link.
• Cost of living crisis and your mental health
  Many people are feeling the strain as the cost of living continues to increase.  This resource provides information on how you can maintain your mental wellbeing at this time, alongside information on how to manage your money as bills rise.

Community Safety and Resilience

• SEPA Water Situation Report – Despite the amount of rain Scotland has seen recently, water scarcity remains a potential risk, especially if the next few months are drier than average. SEPA recommend plan ahead and manage water supplies sustainably.
• Highlands and Islands Climate Hub – Empowers community-led climate action.
• https://ready.scot/ – Tips on steps you can take to prepare your home, family, and business for emergencies.
• Met Office Weather Warnings – https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#?date=2022-11-04
• Met Office Weather Ready https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/weatherready 
• Scottish Flood Forecasting – Provides up to date information on when and where flooding is expected to occur over a three-day period.
• Floodline Scotland https://floodlinescotland.org.uk/ 

Douglas Crawford
Business Analyst

Community Support and Engagement

Highland Council

We’re delighted to share with you the Spring edition of the Scottish Water digital newsletter.

We hope you enjoy this bumper selection of significant investment and innovation highlights from our work over recent months. This spotlights the work we are doing to ensure we continue to provide our customers with resilient, excellent quality water and waste water services, while improving our assets, tackling the impacts of climate change, and reaching our Net Zero by 2040 target.

To access this newsletter, simply click ‘Go to this Sway’ below. You can click any of the underlined elements to take you to additional information if you are interested in finding out more.

We have covered sections on: 

• Investing in our Infrastructure
• Flourishing Scotland
• Environment, Climate, and Beyond Net Zero
• And Finally….a selection of interesting stories.

You can skip to sections of interest using the small square on the bottom right-hand corner of your screen and select the section you wish to view.

Scottish Water News – Spring 2024

Welcome to the Scottish Water digital newsletter!

Go to this Sway