The Scottish Government has unveiled its first Zero Waste Plan in Inverness. 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.

As well as outlining the Scottish Government's priorities and polices in relation to waste, the plan, when finalised, will comply with the requirement in Article 28 of the revised Waste Framework Directive for Member States to have a waste management plan. It will also comply with the requirement in Article 29 for Member States to have a waste prevention programme.

Scotland landfilled 1.26 million tonnes of biodegradable municipal waste. Scotland continues to meet the EU target of landfilling no more than 1.32 million tonnes of biodegradable municipal waste by 2010. Launching a 12-week consultation on the plan in Inverness, Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead, said: 'Scotland must reduce its impact on the local and global environment. Our draft Zero Waste Plan maps out how we can reduce the country's waste, meet our highly ambitious waste targets and contribute to the work on climate change.

'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.'

Kenny Boag, SEPA's National Waste Policy Unit Manager, said: '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; and helping to ensure that the planning system works effectively when it deals with waste management.'

Councillor John Laing, Chairman of the Transport, Environmental and Community Services Committee, for Highland Council, said: 'We are delighted the Cabinet Secretary has launched this ambitious plan in Inverness. Highland Council is committed to improving its recycling rates and we aim to reach a recycling rate of 50% by 2013. We welcome a Zero Waste Plan and hope all will make the most of this consultation phase and have their say.'

The consultation asks for comments on a number of questions on key areas of delivery. The final version of the plan will be published in 2010.