Scottish Materials Brokerage Service issues first contracts for recycled commodities

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The first contracts from the Scottish Materials Brokerage Service have been issued to the market. 

Contracts for mixed glass and colour-separated glass have been issued by the co-operative partnership between local authorities, the Scottish Government and Zero Waste Scotland. 

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These first contracts are expected to last between seven and ten years and will go live in July 2016.  

Potential suppliers are being notified internationally to generate as broad an interest as possible, with the aim of getting a better deal for the Scottish public sector. 

Contracts for dry mixed recycling, residual waste and single stream products such as cans and plastics bottles are expected to be issued in the coming months. 

Scottish Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead (pictured) said: “High quality recycling is a key element of delivering our ambitions for a circular economy in Scotland and our unique Brokerage Service is a vital part of achieving that.  By working together with councils we can help to develop markets for recycled materials here in Scotland. 

“Glass recycling is a natural starting point for this service.  It provides Scotland with a great opportunity to create jobs in the circular economy, by supplying recycled glass back into packaging for our iconic Scotch whisky industry, as well as to other innovative Scottish companies.” 

Zero Waste Scotland chief executive Iain Gulland said: “Zero Waste Scotland provides technical advice to the Brokerage Service and we have advised on procurement options for glass.   

“Glass has properties that make it an ideal focus for high-quality recycling in Scotland, as it can be indefinitely recycled without significant loss of quality, as well as supporting indigenous industries here in Scotland.   

“This is an important step forward and the first of a number of contracts through the Brokerage Service that will support Scotland’s ambitions for a circular economy.”