The Scottish Government has issued its Circular Economy Bill as it grapples with the fall-out from the further delay to its deposit return scheme, for drinks containers.

It said the new legislation would “create the tools to tackle waste and increase reuse and recycling rates”.

Under the Bill, ministers would gain powers to set local recycling targets, set statutory targets for delivery of a circular economy, ban the disposal of unsold consumer goods – to prevent them ending up in landfill – and to place charges on single-use items such as coffee cups.

Setting local recycling targets would build on the experience of Wales, where the recycling rate is the UK’s highest.

Local authorities would be given additional enforcement powers in the Bill, to deal with fly-tipping and littering from cars.

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