THE Scottish Government has unveiled plans for the creation of regional hubs and networks for the reuse of construction materials and assets as part of its circular economy and waste route map to 2030.
A consultation on the proposals garnered a high level of support from the construction sector, with 82% backing the plans.
The hubs would enable greater use of materials which still have function and meet regulatory standards, which will help contribute towards Scotland’s waste and emission reduction targets – with the Scottish Government adding that estimates suggest only 5-10% of materials are currently being reused.
Although support levels for the hubs were high from the construction sector, respondents raised key issues that future feasibility work should consider – including quality assurance of secondary materials, as well as systemic, regulatory, licensing, and spatial challenges.
Feedback also suggested that a regional approach to the hubs would be optimal, which the Scottish Government said it agrees is most likely to have the best impact. As a result, it will provide coordinated support for the development of such hubs.
Further to this, it will look to learn from national and international experience to help understand and address the challenges of supply and demand alignment, the geographic dispersal of materials, and the price drivers that favour new, high carbon materials over used.
The use of tools and processes that support a whole project life digital approach to material management, such as building information modelling (BIM), will also be facilitated.
Policy measures and interventions which would help extend the lifespan of buildings and materials through durability, repairability, retrofit, and refurbishment will be assessed. Barriers and skills gaps will be identified that need to be addressed to facilitate a circular approach to maintaining the current building stock and infrastructure.
Acting net zero secretary Gillian Martin launched the route map, which includes other plans such as improving commercial waste services and initiatives focussed food waste, at a visit to Grassmarket Community Project in Edinburgh, which upcycles discarded wooden furniture into new items.
She said, “Reusing and recycling materials has a huge role to play in Scotland’s response to tackling the climate crisis.
“We must make the circular option, where we value materials and keep them in use for as long as possible, either in their original form or recycled, an easier choice for Scottish households, businesses and the public sector.
“The route map sets out an ambitious plan to help make this a reality and I want to thank all those who have contributed to its development.
“There have been consistently high levels of support for its actions, which promote and support responsible production and consumption, along with the sustainable management of Scotland’s resources – and the final route map will be key to supporting the Scottish Government’s net zero and economic growth goals.”
