Glasgow has signed up to a scheme to cut by half the amount of construction, demolition and excavation waste going into landfill.

It is hoped the Halving Waste to Landfill agreement will help the city become one of the greenest cities in Europe in the next 10 years.

In 2005, Glasgow became the first local authority in the UK to adopt a council-wide minimum requirement for recycled materials in building work.

Liz Cameron, executive member for regeneration and business, said: "The council has a large number of building, renovation and construction projects taking place across our city where we aim to minimise the amount of waste created by re-using or recycling where possible.

"We hope that by signing this agreement we are setting an example to others to show that being greener is not only good for the environment but good for business."

The new scheme is being promoted to builders by Zero Waste Scotland, the organisation set up by the Scottish Government to deliver its zero-waste commitment.

Iain Gulland, director of Zero Waste Scotland, said: "Glasgow City Council's decision to sign up to Halving Waste to Landfill sends a clear signal that it is committed to reducing waste and saving money in the process.In Fife, another council which has already signed up to the scheme, almost £150,000 was saved last year alone thanks to better management of construction waste.

"We hope other local authorities in Scotland will also follow suit."