Companies to go “Industrial Speed Dating” to cut waste

Industrial speed dating brings companies together – with firms producing certain waste materials given the opportunity to meet others that might be able to use those resources as raw materials for their own business.

” We know businesses aren't going to do anything unless it affects the bottom line, so we are promoting the economic benefits.“
– Laura Burnett, SISP
It is hoped that by doing so, material that would otherwise go to landfill can be re-used or recycled. And, businesses are being shown that by using “waste” materials from other companies – and by having their own “waste” materials used by other firms – they can save money.

Organised by the Scottish Industrial Symbiosis Programme (SISP), the first match-making event is to be held in Dundee on September 7, hosted by Perth & Kinross council and the Abertay Centre for the Environment.

Other events are also being planned for locations in the Central Belt of Scotland in November and February.

Matches
SISP project officer Laura Burnett told letsrecycle.com: “We get companies from one geographic area together around a table and find out what resources are available and what could be used by other companies. It could be anything from swapping pallets to the use of millions of tonnes of aggregates – you never know what matches you might get.”

The SISP is an initiative funded by the Scottish Executive, SEPA and Scottish Enterprise designed specifically to cut waste within the business sector. It is closely linked to the National Industrial Symbiosis Programme in England, which is holding similar events called “Quick Win” workshops.

Ms Burnett said: “One of our major targets is diversion of material from landfill, but we are also aiming at reduced extraction of virgin materials. We know businesses aren't going to do anything unless it affects the bottom line, so we are promoting the economic benefits of cutting waste.”