The Scottish Government’s environmental record has been criticised after new figures showed recycling rates are lower than eight years ago.
The amount of waste recycled has also fallen by over 60,000 tonnes compared to the high point of 2016.
Scottish Labour MSP Colin Smyth said: “These dismal figures lay bare the reality behind the SNP -Green government’s hollow environmental rhetoric.
“They claim to recognise the scale of the climate emergency, but missed targets and broken promises pile up around us.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon used COP26 last year in Glasgow last year to showcase Scotland’s response to the climate emergency.
One strand of her government’s agenda is boosting recycling levels for household waste.
But new figures show stuttering progress over the long term, with levels not going up on a sustained basis.
The figure for 2021 was 42.7 per cent - up from 42 per cent in the previous year - but it is still lower than in any year between 2014 to 2019.
Eight years ago the recycling rate stood at 42.8 per cent - a better performance than now.
The Government has failed to meet their target of 60 per cent of household waste to be recycled by 2020, as well as an earlier target of 50 per cent by 2013.
It comes after the Climate Change Committee warned that the Government’s targets for slashing carbon emissions are in danger of becoming meaningless.
The independent body noted that since ambitious legislation became law over a decade ago the Scottish Government had failed to achieve 7 of 11 legal targets.
Smyth blasted: “This humiliating failure joins the long list of pledges this government has abandoned over the years, on everything from green jobs to emissions to active travel.
“The SNP-Green government’s usual mismanagement and spin won’t cut it - we need bold action to build a greener, fairer Scotland.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We are taking dedicated action to increase recycling rates and reduce waste in our economy.
“Our £70 million Recycling Improvement Fund is delivering one of the biggest investments in recycling in Scotland in a generation, which will make it easier for households to recycle and increase local recycling rates.
“In August, we are introducing the UK’s first deposit return scheme for drinks containers, which will recycle billions of bottles and cans every single year.
“Our forthcoming Circular Economy Bill will establish the legislative framework to support Scotland’s transition to a zero waste and circular economy.
“Together, these actions will boost recycling and make an important contribution to the fight against the climate crisis.”
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