Zero Waste Scotland and the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce have partnered to launch ‘Circular Edinburgh’, which aims to help local companies make the transition to a circular economy.
The initiative is backed by the Scottish Government and European Regional Development Fund, and will deliver a “range of local activities” to help identify opportunities for local business.
The initiative will help Scottish businesses to develop new products and services which promote repeated use
This includes offering opportunities to Scottish business to develop new products and services which promote repeated use, for example: leasing, repair, or take-back services, or designing new products from another industry’s waste through effective collaboration.
Iain Gulland
Commenting on the partnership, Iain Gulland, chief executive of Zero Waste Scotland, said the scheme has the potential to create jobs, support sustainable business models and help the environment.
“I’m delighted today to announce Zero Waste Scotland is joining forces with Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce to launch Circular Edinburgh, an ambitious initiative to unlock the potential for SMEs in the region, by thinking innovatively about business models,” he explained.
Mr Gulland added: “Businesses are already capitalising on the vast benefits of being circular and, through new business models, are finding untapped opportunities for innovation and increased profitability, whilst addressing the issue of resource pressures”.
Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce
Liz McAreavey, chief executive of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, added that the chamber is delighted to be working on such a project.
“The circular economy will provide business with tremendous opportunities, in creating efficiencies, reducing waste, and in creating new products, services, wealth and jobs.
“The Chamber is delighted to be working with Zero Waste Scotland on a project to engage the Capital’s business community with these opportunities.”
Plastic pollution
The panel will provide advice on dealing with disposable cups and plastic straws
Elsewhere in Scotland, experts from the retail and waste industries as well as the public sector and academia, have joined a Scottish Government panel tackling plastic pollution.
And, the government has appointed electoral commissioner Dame Sue Bruce – a former chief executive of Edinburgh city council – as chair of the Expert Panel on Environmental Charges and Other Measures.
The group will provide advice across the supply chain on dealing with disposable cups and plastic straws.
Commenting on the introduction of the panel, Scottish environment secretary Roseanna Cunningham said its introduction will help the government take further steps to tackle plastic waste.
“Scotland has demonstrated leadership in tackling plastic pollution. We were the first country in the UK to commit to introducing a deposit return scheme and we are currently consulting on proposals to ban the manufacture and sale of plastic-stemmed cotton buds, Ms Cunningham said.
She added: “But I want to go further, and the creation of our expert panel is an important step towards seriously addressing this issue in Scotland. The panel’s expertise and skills from across waste, legal, retail and public sectors will help us identify the bold actions we can take in Scotland to encourage long-term, sustainable changes.”
Other members of the panel include economist Professor Liam Delaney, Mike Barry, the director of sustainable business at Marks & Spencer, Roger Kilburn from the biotech and chemical industry, Professor Margaret Bates from the waste industry and Professor Aileen McHarg who will bring legal expertise.
Circular Edinburgh Circular Edinburgh
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Source: letsrecycle.com General
