THE SNP-Green Scottish government’s circular economy Bill must be strengthened to fight spiralling consumption, campaigners have warned.

Proposals, which include plans to boost recycling and reduce waste, were put before Holyrood lawmakers today and environmental groups Action to Protect Rural Scotland, Circular Communities Scotland and Friends of the Earth Scotland have united to call for new, tougher targets to reduce consumption are included.

It came just a day after the Climate Change Committee, an independent public body, warned MSPs that Scotland’s emission reduction targets were now “beyond what is credible.”  

Friends of the Earth Scotland’s Kim Pratt said: “At the moment, consumption is spiralling out of control, and our politicians need to grasp this opportunity for action.

“People and the environment are paying the costs of our throwaway society every day, whether that is products that break easily or precious natural resources that are being wasted.”

Green circular economy minister Lorna Slater said: “We want to create a circular economy, in which resources are kept in use for as long as possible.

“This is not just good for the environment — it will also create new economic opportunities and green jobs here in Scotland.”