Day: June 24, 2022

Sustainable new look for Scottish textiles with launch of £2m fund

Zero Waste Scotland and the Scottish Government have today (Friday 24 June 2022) launched a new £2m fund to help reduce the environmental burden of textiles.

The Circular Textiles Fund will go directly to businesses across the textiles industry in Scotland, from fashion to upholstery.

Textiles have an extremely high environmental impact – with Zero Waste Scotland’s latest Carbon Metric report showing textiles, which make up just four per cent of waste by weight, account for nearly a third (32 per cent) of the carbon impact of Scotland’s household waste.

The Circular Textiles Fund will support innovative projects that have what it takes to be part of Scotland’s circular economy, in which resources are valued and made to last. Applications to the fund can be from individual businesses or represent a collaboration between businesses to achieve the objectives below.

Potential business models include those that:

  • reduce demand for new textiles, such as clothing and textile rental, reuse, and repair services;
  • employ sustainable manufacturing processes;
  • reduce in-life environmental impacts, such as mitigating the pollution from washing textiles and making them easier to reuse and repair; and
  • maximise the amount of textile waste that is captured and recycled.

Iain Gulland, Chief Executive of Zero Waste Scotland, said: “As a nation, we need to rethink the way we make, buy, and use products and take action to consume more responsibly. Businesses have a key role to play in facilitating that shift, helping customers make more sustainable purchasing decisions while also contributing to a greener economy.

“With textiles responsible for such a significant chunk of the carbon footprint of Scotland’s household waste it’s vital that we move away from a throwaway approach to products and materials and make things last instead. The Circular Textiles Fund is a fantastic opportunity for businesses to be part of the solution.”

This announcement comes shortly after the Scottish Government launched two public consultations on proposals for a Circular Economy Bill and Route Map to 2025. The consultations form part of strategic plans to deliver Scotland’s zero waste and circular economy ambitions.

Lorna Slater, Circular Economy Minister, said: “Every material that is wasted comes at a cost to our planet, but it’s clear that textiles are having a disproportionate environmental impact.

“From fashion to furniture, there are huge opportunities for businesses with creative ideas to help address that problem. That’s why we are creating the £2million Circular Textiles Fund, which will help businesses in Scotland turn their proposals into reality.

“Alongside our Circular Economy Bill, this will help grow the number of sustainable businesses in Scotland and help prevent textiles from ending up in landfill or incineration.”

Rebekah Chapman, Production Technician at Kalopsia Collective said: “The circular economy is a big deal for Kalopsia and we have worked hard to minimise every aspect of our environmental impact. For us it’s a passion, and it’s one we know is shared by many working in the Scottish textiles sector.

“We’re delighted to help launch the Circular Textiles Fund and look forward to seeing more businesses doing things differently for the future of people and planet.”

Businesses that are interested in applying for the fund must fill out an Expression of Interest form, which can be downloaded from the Zero Waste Scotland website and submitted it to textiles@zerowastescotland.org.uk by 29 July 2022.

Expressions of Interest will be assessed against the criteria and applicants will be notified if they have been invited to stage two by 28 August 2022.

For more information on the details of the fund and how to apply visit circulartextilesfund.scot

UK Government joins Royal Highland Show bicentenary celebrations

TORIES HAVE LITTLE TO CELEBRATE FOLLOWING BY-ELECTION HAMMERINGS

The UK Government will show its support for Scotland’s agriculture, food, drink and farming sectors when it takes part in the Royal Highland Show.

The four-day event, the first full show since 2019, gives the rural industries and members of the public the chance to speak to Ministers and staff from a range of government departments about what is important to them.

They will also be able to find out more about how the UK Government is delivering for people in Scotland.

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack and UK Government Minister for Scotland Malcolm Offord toured the Ingliston showground yesterday, and today will see UK Government Minister for Scotland Iain Stewart in attendance and Environment Secretary George Eustice is also due at the show.

Between them they’ll be meeting with a range of key stakeholders to discuss issues across agriculture, farming and Scotland’s world famous food and drink sectors, including gene editing technology, which farmers and bodies like the James Hutton Institute have been vocal in supporting.

Ministers will continue to urge the Scottish Government to join the UK Government in introducing legislation to cut red tape and support the development of innovative tech to grow more resistant, more nutritious and more productive crops – reducing the need for pesticides and lowering costs to farmers.

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said: “It’s fantastic that the Royal Highland Show is back, bigger and better than ever. It’s Scotland’s biggest agriculture event and made even more special this year with it being the 200th anniversary.

“The UK Government will be making full use of this opportunity to meet with key players from the various sectors who make such a huge contribution to our everyday lives and Scotland’s economy.

“It’s vital that the UK and Scottish Governments work together – as well as with businesses – to ensure our rural economy can continue to grow. Gene editing is an area where we can collaborate – and where we can really make a difference as we seek to strengthen our food security, tackle climate change and bring down food prices.

“Gene editing is not genetic modification. It is using science to speed up what farmers have done for generations – breeding new strains of crops that are more disease and drought resistant. The industry in Scotland is clear – it does not want to be left behind.”

Attracting almost 190,000 visitors, Scotland’s biggest outdoor event provides an important platform for show-goers to find out how the UK Government is delivering for people in Scotland.

This year representatives in the UK Government marquee include the department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), Border Force, Her Majesty’s Coastguard, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), the Department for Transport (DfT), the Department for International Trade (DIT), the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

The British Armed Forces will also be present.

The Scottish Secretary will also host a reception with the Scotch Whisky Association, showcasing the best of the UK’s biggest food and drink export.

It’s unlikely that the Scottish Secretary, a loyal supporter of PM Boris Johnson, will be particularly keen to discuss last night’s cataclysmic by-election defeats. Doubtless we can expect: ‘mid term election by elections are an opportunity to give the government a kicking … we will listen to the public … we will learn the lessons … get on with the job … etc. .. etc. … etc.