Zero Waste Scotland launches new toolkit

June 4, 2019

The ‘Circular Economy Accelerator’ tool launched on its new website helps businesses to maximise the £3 billion ($3.74 billion/€3.32 billion) circular economy business opportunity and address the climate emergency.

The Circular Economy Accelerator will support the further development and implementation of circular economy business models across the country, this provides an opportunity to open new income streams, reduce money spent on materials and reduce the impact of our businesses upon the planet, Zero Waste Scotland explains.

The goal of a circular economy is to design and manufacture products in such a way that they can be used and re-used for as long as possible, maximising their value. At the end of their life, products are refurbished or remanufactured into other high value, high quality products.

The Circular Economy Accelerator provides tools that include advice manuals and access to support and funding, providing organisations with everything they require to identify where they can take a circular approach to business.

Adopting circular economy principles could benefit the Scottish economy by up to £3 billion ($3.74 billion/€3.32 billion), according to a report previously produced by Zero Waste Scotland.

Iain Gulland, chief executive at Zero Waste Scotland, said: “As the growing climate emergency forces us all to reconsider our approaches to everyday living, Zero Waste Scotland has worked quickly to develop a hub that presents great opportunities and support for businesses to change the mindset on how they operate. This can reduce costs and generate new income streams, while attempting to address what is a global problem.

“There are a wide number of ways this can be achieved, such as creating new products from previously wasted materials or moving to leasing models where manufacturers can take back and refurbish existing products. Innovative methods can also design out waste from manufacturing processes. This is a way of operating that is going to grow in the years ahead and Scotland has the opportunity to be a leader on the international stage.”

Zero Waste Scotland exists to create a society where resources are valued and nothing is wasted. The organisation’s goal is to help Scotland realise the economic, environmental and social benefits of making best use of the world’s limited natural resources.

For further details and successful circular economy case studies, please visit www.circulareconomyaccelerator.scot.