The path to zero waste

With the ambitious target of 70% recycling of all waste by 2025, Scotland is set to lead the way in resource efficiency. Zero Waste Scotland is therefore on a mission to help Scottish businesses, householders, public sector organisations and the waste management industry across Scotland to achieve this.

Our vision is for Scotland to realise the true value of all resources, boosting the economy by utilising discarded materials, whilst ensuring we, as a nation, minimise our environmental impact. In fact, it is anticipated that by meeting these targets, Scotlands economy could benefit from savings of around 175 million, whilst boosting the country through the rise of jobs in the green sector and reducing our reliance on raw materials.

There is no doubt that 2013 is a key year in this process as we prepare for the implementation of the ground-breaking Waste (Scotland) Regulations which will come into force in January 2014. Under the new regulations, all businesses and local authorities will be required to present key recyclables for collection.

Those who work towards these regulations ahead of implementation can ensure compliance when the time comes, as well as benefiting from reduced landfill costs and the capture of value from materials. Businesses can stand to gain a real competitive advantage by implementing the regulations ahead of time as managing waste better can have a tremendous impact on a companys bottom line, as well as helping to meet customers increasing expectations around sustainability.

Savings

Whilst the new regulations are concerned with increasing recycling rates, it is also important that we all consider ways to reduce the amount wasted in the first place. Scotlands commercial sector alone produces an estimated 2.9 million tonnes of waste every year. By implementing simple changes, waste can be reduced and money saved as a result. Recent studies suggest that by implementing waste prevention measures Scottish businesses could save up to 1.4 billion.

With these economic benefits in mind Zero Waste Scotland is encouraging businesses, organisations and individuals, as well as the resource management industry, to be ready for the new regulations and prepare for implementation ahead of time. We provide a range of support, advice and guidance for the waste management sector, helping to implement expansion plans that will be compliant with regulations and meet increased demand. We also offer funding to help businesses make investments in order to reduce their waste and improve efficiency.

Savings are also achievable for smaller companies. To help combat associated start-up costs, we have invested 75,000 to increase the availability of collection services for SMEs, and we support collaborative approaches to recycling, facilitating small businesses to come together to make more efficient use of recycling services.

Efficiency

This year we will be extending the support offered to all businesses by incorporating help and advice on energy and water efficiency. This will create a single resource efficiency service for Scottish businesses known as Resource Efficient Scotland.

This programme is funded by the Scottish Government, managed by Zero Waste Scotland, and will offer integrated services to help attain zero waste targets such as advice on savings through energy efficiency measures and behaviour changes within businesses, third sector and public sector organisations.

Resource efficiency has an important role to play in the future of our economy, with huge potential. Recycling collections can provide a supply of rich materials which are in demand from businesses, and this can be cycled back through the economy time and time again. At Zero Waste Scotland we are determined to do all we can to help people understand that what was once thought as waste is valuable and realise that potential.