Under the proposed plans, the devolved authority has pledged numerous initiatives, including finding new ways to cut household food waste.

Climate action secretary Gillian Martin said the draft plan – open for consultation until 13 January – outlines the areas vital to cutting waste and capitalising on circular business opportunities.

“By supporting Scotland to move towards a culture where keeping materials and goods in use for as long as possible is the norm, we will also be able to drive economic growth by increasing the resilience of our supply chains and encouraging innovation,” said Martin.

The strategy is mandated under the country’s Circular Economy Act, passed in 2024, and places circular policies within the context of Scotland’s plans to reach net zero emissions by 2045.

It promises sector-specific roadmaps for the built environment, net zero infrastructure, textiles and food, while action for the transport sector will be included in a future climate change plan.

It envisions a country with a “thriving economy” that meets societal needs and is based on principles which have “reduced the negative global impact of our production and consumption”, read the draft.

Under the strategy, the Scottish Government will also set out its first national-level monitoring and indicator framework to measure the progress of circular economy developments.

With Scotland having missed its previous food waste targets, the strategy includes new interventions to improve household behaviours and said current council exemptions to food waste collection would be reviewed.

It said future policy would focus on supporting businesses into circular practices through the launch next year of a Business Information Hub operated by Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS).

Following the lead of ZWS, the government will take a place-based approach to circular policy, embedding the principles within local transformation programmes, continued the document.

Noting that £16bn is spent on public procurement each year, the draft says regulations will be considered that require the purchase of goods with recycled or reused content.

“We will also develop guidance on enabling a circular approach to elements of facilities management in the public estate, for example lighting where products are retained, reused and remanufactured, extending their lifecycle,” it read.

Sustainability skills will be embedded in the education and skills system, with ZWS developing a Circular Jobs Tracker, while gaps in data concerning the circular economy will be identified through work with other UK nations.

The UK government is expected to set out its own circular economy strategy plans before the end of the year.