Description

The indicator measures the amount of household waste, generated in million tonnes.

Source

The data is provided by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

The figures refer to calendar years.

Definitions

Waste as used in the indicator title refers to Household Waste

Household waste includes household collection rounds, other household collections such as bulky waste collections, waste deposited by householders at household waste recycling centres and recycling points/ bring banks.

This excludes non-domestic properties such as hospitals and nursing homes, residential hostels, residential homes, schools, universities and other educational facilities, caravan sites and campsites, self-catering holiday accommodation, prisons and penal institutions, public halls, royal palaces and premises occupied by charities and used for charitable purposes.

Previously, data for this National Indicator was based on Local Authority Collected Municipal Solid Waste (LACMW) and was collected on a financial year basis. From 2011 onwards, the indicator based on household waste is now used to measure Scotland’s progress towards the recycling targets. The reason for this change is to ensure that figures are aligned with Scottish, UK and European targets and focus on the service provided by local authorities to individual households.

Criteria for Change

This evaluation is based on:

• Any change within +/- 1 per cent of last year's figure suggests that the position is more likely to be maintaining than showing any change.
• A decrease of 1 per cent or more suggests the position is improving.
• An increase of 1 per cent or more suggests the position is worsening.