A new calculation of Scotland's impact on resources, from metals to plastics and energy, has found the nation weighs in at more than twice the sustainable level. 

A project led by the government agency, Zero Waste Scotland, found the total weight of resources for the average Scot during 2017 was 18.4 tonnes.

The weight calculated for the average European was 14.1 tonnes.

It is estimated that the sustainable level for Europe is eight tonnes.

The agency said the higher number in Scotland could be because of more rural, dispersed communities requiring more infrastructure and the higher cost of insulating and heating buildings in northern countries.