The Perth and Kinross Circular Economy Strategy 2026-2031
Perth and Kinross Council · 18 February 2026
Back to Climate Change and Sustainability Committee — 18 February 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
Our vision is a Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality ___________________________________________________________________ Committee or Board: Climate Change and Sustainability Committee Date of Meeting: 18 February 2026 Report Title: The Perth and Kinross Circular Economy Strategy 2026-2031. Report Number: 26/45 Report Author: Pete Leonard, Climate Change and Zero Waste Manager and Angela Harris, Sustainable Development Officer Organisational Lead: Fraser Crofts, Strategic Lead for Environment and Infrastructure ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Purpose 1.1 The purpose of this Report is to inform Members of the outcome of the public consultation on the Council’s draft Circular Economy Strategy, and to present a revised, final version of the strategy and associated action plan for approval. 1.2 Sections 1. Purpose 2. Recommendations 3. Background/Context 4. Main Issues 5. Proposals 6. Conclusion 7. Impact Value Assessment 8. Appendices 2. Recommendations It is recommended that the Committee: 2.1 Approves the Circular Economy Strategy and Action Plan 2.2 Notes the governance arrangements and the intention to provide annual progress updates to Committee
Page 2
3. Background/Context 3.1 A report to the CC&S meeting 20 August 2025 provided Members with a final update on the 2010-2025 Waste Management Plan. The report also set out forthcoming legislative and policy changes that are likely to arise from the Scottish Government’s Circular Economy Strategy and Routemap. The paper proposed that a new, five-year, strategy was required in response to these national changes, to ensure that the Council was fully informed of the potential impacts and to prepare for implementation. 3.2 A proposed Circular Economy Strategy consultation document was approved by Committee to go to public consultation. 3.3 Extensive engagement took place with various internal and external stakeholders including business representatives, local communities, and organisational partners. An online Public Consultation was conducted in September and October 2025 and an in-person consultation workshop was undertaken in November 2025 for business and industry stakeholders. A Strategic Environmental Assessment Scoping report for the strategy was sent to the Consultation Authorities (SEPA, NatureScot and Historic Environment Scotland) in September 2025. Feedback from all consultation events was taken into account to shape the final version of the strategy. 3.4 91 responses were received online . Analysis of the responses is set out below: 67% of responses were from women . 68% of responses were from people aged over 50. 0% of responses were received from people aged 24 or under. Total combined views of explanatory video - 3,460 (reach 2,346) . 17,370 Facebook views . All wards represented (top 3 - Highland, Perth City Centre, Strathmore). In agreement/support of: - Vision – 83% . - Strategic Priorities – 72% . - Delivery Areas – 80%. 3.5 General observations from the feedback were: Clearer and simpler communication . Climate scepticism . Clearer goal setting . Better explanation of links to other policy areas (e.g. poverty, equality, accessibility) . More explicit focus on behaviour change . More upstream focus . Council sphere of influence.
Page 3
4. Main Issues 4.1 The Perth and Kinross Circular Economy Strategy will inform the future transformation of the Council’s waste and recycling operations and associated infrastructure. It will impact on major contracts expenditure and will support sustainable economic development activity with local businesses. 4.2 Whilst a number of national policy changes have been signalled, there is as yet little detail on many of the initiatives. These are still being worked through and will develop over time. The Scottish Government and Zero Waste Scotland are investing in research and analysis and are engaging Local Authorities in a process of collaborative policy development and practical design of solutions. 4.3 Consequently, various new national policies will come into force during the next five years, some of which may be underpinned by legislation. The Council will need to respond with its own policies and practices as the national position becomes clearer, and it is envisaged that further reports to Committee will be required. The strategy/action plan itself will evolve over time. 4.4 Key areas for attention include: Policy Impact Implementation Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility Additional funding for LA waste and recycling services. Independent assessment of LA performance Now, with continued development of model and processes over the next 24 months New code of practice for waste and recycling collection services Possible segregation of food/green waste Possible end to rural food waste exemption Possible kerbside textile collections Possible kerbside Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment collections More standardisation of services, e.g. bin colour, size, frequency of collection National targets (possibly statutory) Early 2027 Deposit Return Scheme Increased recycling rates for included materials Better quality of materials for reprocessing October 2027
Page 4
Reduced litter and associated clean-up costs New employment opportunities Significant changes to the composition and tonnages of kerbside recycling container mix – may impact routing or collection frequency. Financial impact – pluses and minuses UK Emissions Trading Scheme Over the longer term, may assist in the transfer to more sustainable materials In the short to medium term is likely to increase cost of disposal considerably – likely between £1-2m per annum for PKC 2028 5. Proposals 5.1 The proposed Circular Economy Strategy and Action Plan can be found in Appendix A of this report. 5.2 The strategy aligns with the following Corporate Priorities: Tackling climate change and supporting sustainable places. Developing a resilient, stronger and greener local economy. Tackling poverty. Working in partnership with communities. 5.3 National policy drivers include: Scotland’s Zero Waste plan (2010). Scotland’s Climate Change Plan (2020). A Draft Circular Economy Strategy for Scotland (2025). Scotland’s Circular Economy and Waste Route Map to 2030 (2024). Scotland’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation (2022).
Page 5
5.4 The vision for the strategy is: 5.5 We will measure our success in delivering our vision and goals by the following outcomes: We will have complied with legislation. We will have reduced waste and improved reuse and recycling. We will have reduced carbon emissions and the environmental impact of our waste. We will have saved money – for the Council and across society . We will have supported people to make the right choices and made it easier for them to use our services. We will have created new and/or more resilient businesses and connected them to each other and to communities. 5.6 The strategy sets out five main priorities: 1. Reduce and Reuse. 2. Modernise Recycling. 3. Decarbonise Disposal. 4. Strengthening the Circular Economy. 5. Behaviour Change. 5.7 Each of these priorities is examined through the lens of four delivery themes: 1. Waste and Recycling Services. 2. Other Council Services. 3. Consumers and Society. 4. Business and Industry. 5.8 Challenges and opportunities were assessed, and an Action and Delivery Plan was created setting out actions for the short term (within a year), medium term (within 2-3 years), and long term (4+ years). 5.9 A designated action lead will be responsible for overseeing the review and reporting process of their action(s). The Council’s internal Circular Economy
Page 6
Strategy Working Group will provide governance and oversight, ensuring that all relevant aspects are addressed during the reporting process. Regular communication and collaboration between stakeholders will be crucial to effectively execute the Action Plan and drive progress towards our objectives. 5.10 A robust monitoring and evaluation framework will be put in place, with a set of indicators for each of the six strategic outcomes together with RAG status action tracking. Initial measures for the strategic outcomes are set out in the table below: Outcome Measure Current Figure We will have complied with legislation No breaches Zero We will have reduced waste and improved reuse and recycling Current recycling rate(s) – Waste Data Flow Reuse figures – Waste Data Flow 50.9% recycling rate (2024) Reuse: 394T = 0.54% of total waste (2024) We will have reduced carbon emissions and the environmental impact of our waste Waste CO2 equivalent- Waste Data Flow 131,661 TCO2e; 0.85 TCO2e per person (2024) We will have saved money – for the Council and across society Income from the sale of recyclates Data from selected materials management interventions Data from Reuse organisations where available £879,191 (2024/25) As projects arise To be determined We will have supported people to make the right choices and made it easier for them to use our services Number of large-scale campaigns Number of in-person events Number of people engaged with at face-to- face events Number of people engaging with social media- views, shares, followers Number of assisted lifts Number of additional bins – e.g. for medical or childcare reasons Will gather data for 2026 We will have created new and/or more resilient businesses and New start-ups in CE sector Number of jobs/new jobs in CE sector (to be developed) 23 (2025)
Page 7
connected them to each other and to communities. Business survival rates in CE sector Number of business to business and business to community networks (to be developed) 5.11 It is the intention to provide formal annual updates to Committee. 6. Conclusion 6.1 The waste and recycling industry is entering a period of significant change. The proposed Circular Economy Strategy and Action Plan will ensure that the Council is fully informed of changes in policy and legislation, understands potential impacts, and is prepared for implementation in good time. 7. Impact and Value Assessment Perth & Kinross Council Circular Economy Strategy 2021 - 2026 8. Appendices 8.1 Appendix A – Perth and Kinross Circular Economy Strategy and Action Plan.