The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on proposed changes to the Duty of Care: Code of Practice for Managing Controlled Waste. These changes are designed to reflect Scotland’s implementation of the new UK-wide requirement for recycling plastic film, including flexible plastics, which comes into effect from 2027.
The update clarifies that plastic films are a subcategory of plastics and therefore classed as dry recyclable waste. This means they will be subject to existing duties for dry recyclables, including separate collection. The revised Code sets out obligations for all parties involved in waste management – producers, collectors, waste managers, and brokers/dealers – ensuring compliance with the new recycling duty.
It’s important to note that household collection requirements for plastic film are out of scope for this consultation. These will be addressed separately through the forthcoming statutory Household Recycling Code of Practice.
Consultation closes: 5 February