Zero waste governance: a Scottish case study

Abstract

This paper offers an account of how zero waste governance 'works' in Scotland. Zero waste has been widely adopted by governments as a policy goal; yet, the term remains equivocal. Using Scotland as a case study, this paper investigates how zero waste is understood and pursued as a policy goal within a national context and how socio-political factors shape zero waste governance. Providing the first academic study of waste governance in Scotland, the paper introduces key actors, initiatives and objectives from zero waste policy documents. Using conceptual insights from waste governance research, the paper identifies the importance of boundary organisations, networks, existing institutions, expertise, and stakeholder engagement in shaping the zero waste policy in Scotland. Through these concepts, the paper presents an account of how zero waste governance works in Scotland and offers potential themes to further zero waste governance research.