Scotland's first ever Zero Waste Plan has been unveiled.

The draft plan details the steps Scotland needs to take on the journey towards a Zero Waste society.

It proposes a number of ambitious approaches to reduce waste, increase recycling and send less waste to landfill, including:

• The potential creation of 2,000 jobs through collection, sorting, reprocessing and treating waste.
• Encouraging businesses to reduce waste, increase their recycling of commercial waste and to realise the economic benefits of doing so.
• The possible implementation of further landfill bans on materials including glass, metals, textiles and wood.
• Improvements to recycling facilities in public places and more kerbside recycling
• Increasing the focus on re-use, including potential targets.

Launching a 12-week consultation on the plan in Inverness, Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead, said: "This is a positive step in tackling Scotland's waste - viewing it as a resource rather than a problem. There are major economic benefits, as well as environmental gains, to be had including creating thousands of jobs and new business opportunities.

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"We all have a part to play in meeting this vision, including the construction industry which contributes around 45% of Scotland's waste. Reducing waste is good for business, as well as for the environment, as it reduces costs. We need to do more to tackle all types of commercial waste."

The Scottish Government has already signed a commitment to halve its construction waste to landfill by 2012. The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations is also today pledging to do the same.

Lochhead urged others involved in construction projects to do the same.

Kenny Boag, SEPA's National Waste Policy Unit Manager, said: "We have been pleased to have had the opportunity to work closely with the Scottish Government in relation to this draft plan."

There are a number of key tasks for SEPA which will help deliver the final plan. These include helping to develop a supportive and proportionate system of waste regulation, working closely with our partners in the waste industry and Government to make further improvements to data on commercial and industrial waste."

To participate in the consultation, and for more information, visit www.scotland.gov.uk/zerowasteplan or contact [email protected]

(GK/KMcA)