New Waste and Recycling Strategy Action Plan

Councillors are being asked to approve the implementation of a new Waste and Recycling Strategy Action Plan.

“Towards a Waste Free Dundee 2026-2030” sets out plans to improve Dundee’s recycling performance and promote sustainable waste management practices across the city.

The Climate, Net Zero and Environment Committee will also receive an update on the of the Waste and Recycling Strategy 2020-2025, alongside the action plan that formed an integral part of the strategy.

The new five-year strategy and action plan prioritises increasing recycling rates, reducing the volume of waste sent for disposal, and fostering long-term waste behavioural change.

Improving household recycling rates is a key element of the new strategy, which aims to improve on the 35.1% recycling rate achieved in 2024, as reported in the update on the previous plan.

More engagement will take place with householders, businesses, and visitors to encourage and enable positive changes in waste-related behaviours. This will work in unison with the Council’s Take Pride in Your City initiative.

The strategy also takes account of upcoming legislative changes and national policies, including the National Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). In line with other authorities, the Council will be required to review its collection systems.

The strategy identifies Dundee’s main waste management challenges, which continue to include high recycling bin contamination, low recycling participation among residents in flatted properties, and widespread reliance on general waste bins.

Climate, Net Zero and Environment Committee Convener Heather Anderson said: "To keep Dundee thriving into the future, we must care for our environment and play our part in making the city cleaner, greener, and more sustainable.

"In this plan, we set out our aims to improve recycling rates, enhance street cleanliness, reduce cross contamination in our bins, and increase understanding of waste management in the city.

"We know there is still a significant amount of waste ending up in general waste bins instead of being recycled, particularly in shared euro bins, with our analysis showing that up to a staggering 70% of the waste in those bins could have been recycled.

"Greater communication and engagement will go a long way towards reducing contamination. As a city, we must all do more to ensure we use the correct bins and take pride in our surroundings.

"We have made a great amount of progress under the previous plan, but it’s important we redouble our efforts as a city. I am confident that Dundee can lead the way in being environmentally responsible."

The strategy document includes fly tipping, litter, and street cleanliness, with objectives aligned to those of the Take Pride action plan. This forms a coordinated approach to addressing related waste management issues in the city.

The Climate, Net Zero and Environment Committee will meet on Monday 17th November.