Many traditional plastic-based hygiene products take over 500 years to decompose. On average, a person uses 12,000 disposable sanitary products in their lifetime, and 20 billion menstrual products end up in landfills each year – but people are starting to make a change.
People around the world are changing their menstrual hygiene habits and switching to healthier and eco-friendly reusable products such as menstrual cups.
So, for this year’s World Earth Day (22nd April), intimate health brand INTIMINA has conducted a survey to find out how aware people are of their ecological contribution when it comes to menstrual products, and even though 67% of those surveyed are unaware of the average number of disposable menstrual products people use in their lifetime, the results reveal that more and more people are jumping on the bandwagon of sustainability when it comes to managing their periods.
The research found that 72% of respondents said they consider their lifestyle sustainable, meaning that they try to make choices that aim to reduce their individual and collective environmental impact. When purchasing and using menstrual products such as pads and tampons, nearly three out of five (59%) respondents consider the effects on the environment and the amount of menstrual waste these products represent.
What’s more, 67% of those surveyed were unaware of the average number of disposable menstrual products people use in their lifetime. Still, 42% have tried eco-friendly menstrual products – with 63% switching to using a menstrual cup or a different reusable menstrual product.
There are many reasons why menstrual cups are good for the environment and health and the survey shows that people are well aware of these benefits.
When asked to name reasons why they would be inclined to switch to a menstrual cup, people said:
38% opted for them because they are reusable, giving people a chance to reduce their menstrual waste.
Nearly half (48%) said because it saves money as a menstrual cup can last up to ten years, which means enormous savings when compared to buying pads and tampons
Two out of five people (39%) would choose a cup because it is hassle-free and can be worn for up to eight hours without emptying it, which provides a sense of comfort during menstruation.
38% believe menstrual cups are a healthy choice because they are made of medical-grade silicone, while most pads and tampons contain chemicals and plastic.
Using a menstrual cup allows people to make a significant environmental difference, and to help people understand their menstrual waste production and its impact on the environment, INTIMINA has created the Greentimina Menstrual Waste Calculator.
This simple tool calculates the amount of waste a person produces by using disposable menstrual products during their lifetime. It also estimates how much money a person will spend on those products.
Danela Zagar from INTIMINA, the brand behind the research, comments: “When it comes to changing our daily habits for environmental benefits, changing personal menstruation management and switching to reusable products plays a crucial part.
“The numbers describing the waste attributed to disposable menstrual products can be overwhelming.
“Still, with small steps and small decisions oriented towards purchasing eco-friendly products, each person can reduce their carbon footprint and make a difference in saving the planet.”
Costs for using electric vehicle chargers owned and provided by the City of Edinburgh Council will be introduced on Sunday, 1 May.
Charges, which will be displayed at existing charging points, were agreed as part of the budget-setting process earlier this year.
Any revenue generated will be used to fund the ongoing costs associated with our electric vehicle charging infrastructure. In March we began work to introduce 81 chargers (141 bays) in residential streets and park and ride sites around the city, which will be available for use by summer.
Charges and maximum stay periods depend on the type of charger (standard, fast or rapid) with full details available on the Council website.
Councillor Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “We’re in the process of introducing even more electric vehicle charging points across the city, which will provide additional fast, convenient charging for people living in and travelling to and from the city.
“Increasing this kind of infrastructure is essential for supporting people to make the shift to more sustainable forms of transport, like electric cars, which is vital if we are to become net zero by 2030. Any income generated from charges introduced next month will help us to maintain and continue developing our charging network.”
Councillor Karen Doran, Transport and Environment Vice Convener, said: “It’s really encouraging that so many people are choosing to switch to electric vehicles, and we want to help even more people to make this choice.
“We set costs for using our chargers as part of the budget this year, and tariffs will be clearly displayed on charging points and on our website.”
With spring well and truly here and the gardening season in full swing, research from the UK’s leading garden centre retailer, Dobbies, has found that 65% of Edinburgh locals are looking forward to doing more gardening this spring.
The research, from Independent Media News, looked into this year’s gardening trends, attitudes towards gardening, garden centres themselves and some of the misconceptions about the UK’s favourite pastime.
Dobbies’ Edinburgh store has had a great start to the season and looking at customer trends from last year and this year to-date, General Manager, Jenna Bavidge, predicts Lupins will be the most popular plant for Edinburgh gardeners this spring.
Perennial Lupins, a favourite cottage plant, is a haven for bumblebees and butterflies with striking, tall bright blooms that come in a variety of colours and shades. These are wonderful pollinators and will inject gorgeous colour into the garden right the way through spring and summer and will continue to bloom year on year.
Research from Dobbies shows that just under half of Edinburgh residents are hoping to encourage more wildlife into their garden, and Lupins are the perfect plant to do that.
Dobbies’ Horticultural Director, Marcus Eyles, encourages Edinburgh residents to Spring it on this year by sharing his top tips on Lupins and why they are so popular in East Scotland: “Lupins is a great addition to any garden, no matter the size or shape of your borders.
“We recommend planting Lupins in early spring to maximise their flowering potential and mulching well with peat-free compost to encourage strong growth and good moisture.
“These hardy blooms thrive in a bright spot that benefits from partial shade. If you don’t have a garden space, Gallery Lupins have been bred to be smaller and can flourish in a balcony space.”
For more information on what’s in stock at your local Dobbies’ Edinburgh store, visit www.dobbies.com.
If you would like to explore Dobbies full SS22 range, you can do so via their digital Look Book and Look Book Video.
North Edinburgh Arts is working with local artist Natalie Taylor on a butterfly and bee friendly art project in Muirhouse and West Pilton.
Not only does this landscape art intervention offer nectar rich flowers for our struggling pollinators, but also it delivers a serious message in Scottish slang whilst adding a splash of colour to a busy roadside verge
SCRAN FIR BEES is a huge community artwork written large near the Red Bridge on Ferry Road, passed by hundreds of cars and buses every day, and highly visible from the cycle path bridge which passes over it nearby.
Up to one hundred SUV vehicles in Edinburgh’s New Yown have been targeted by activists from environmental action group The Tyre Activists.
The activists deflated tyres on 4 x 4 vehicles across the affluent area and left leaflets on windscreens to explain their actions.
The group justifies their activities on a Facebook Page:
‘We are people from all walks of life with one aim: To make it impossible to own a huge polluting 4×4 in the world’s urban areas.
‘We are defending ourselves against climate change, air pollution and unsafe drivers.We do this with a simple tactic: Deflating the tyres of these massive, unnecessary vehicles, causing inconvenience and expense for their owners.
‘Deflating tyres repeatedly and encouraging others to do the same will turn the minor inconvenience of a flat tyre into a giant obstacle for driving massive killer vehicles around our streets.
‘We’re taking this action because governments and politicians have failed to protect us from these huge vehicles. Everyone hates them, apart from the people who drive them.
‘We want to live in towns and cities with clean air and safe streets. Politely asking and protesting for these things has failed. It’s time for action. Join us.
‘We have no leader – anyone can take part, wherever you are, using the simple instructions on this website.’
The Scottish Government has launched a new fund to help develop the emerging CO2 utilisation technology.
The CO2 Utilisation Challenge Fund will help businesses and organisations develop and commercialise the technology, which involves harnessing and converting CO2 – the biggest contributor to climate change emissions – and using it to produce valuable products such as synthetic fuels and proteins for use in aquaculture.
The CO2 Utilisation Challenge Fund will be administered by Scottish Enterprise and match-funded by industry, meaning over £10 million could be invested in the initiative over its two-year lifetime.
Net Zero and Energy Secretary Michael Matheson said: “The Scottish Government is fully committed to helping Scotland become a net zero economy. The IPCC’s latest reports show that the impacts of climate change are even worse than previously thought and that business as usual is not an option.
“We know that, in order to deliver on our targets, we must develop and grow innovative technologies like carbon capture and utilisation, alongside carbon capture and storage.
“Promising early work around potential uses for captured CO2 shows that CO2 utilisation has real potential to help develop a circular economy while providing opportunities for our workforces and economic benefits for a range of different sectors.
“Whilst the UK Government have so far failed to sufficiently back carbon capture and storage in Scotland, the launch of this £5 million fund underlines our commitment to making sure Scotland is at the forefront of new industrial opportunities that will result from a future with carbon capture, utilisation and storage deployment.”
Head of Low Carbon Transition at Scottish Enterprise Andy McDonald, said: “This fund will help ensure we remain at the forefront of the global effort to tackle climate change by supporting innovative Scottish companies with the ambition, capability and expertise to utilise CO2 and transform it into products with commercial value.
“Carbon utilisation technology has wide-reaching benefits for both Scotland’s low carbon economy and the environment. This fund will boost this dynamic and emerging sector by facilitating the creation of more high-value jobs while also helping Scotland reach its net zero emissions target.”
In the wake of COP26, targets to slow climate change have been set across the world. As the host of the climate conference, Scotland has set the ambitious target of reaching net zero emissions by 2045 (Sturgeon, 2021).
Scotland aims to reduce emissions in areas such as transport and housing with numerous initiatives set for the coming years. However, are these targets inclusive for everyone in Scotland? How financial inequality excludes lower income households from reducing their emissions and accessing government support to do so will be explored.
The transport sector creates significant carbon emissions causing climate change (Apostolicas, 2019). This has driven the innovation of electric vehicles. In order to reach net zero, the target for Scotland (and the rest of Britain) is to stop the sale of new petrol/diesel cars after 2035 (Burch, Gilchrist, 2018).
A higher uptake of electric cars within society will be beneficial for reaching climate change targets, however, considering all members of society, this is not realistic. Electric cars have a significantly higher upfront costs and therefore an individual could buy a larger petrol/diesel car for the price of a smaller electric vehicle (Mehta, 2021).
Due to these drawbacks, financial incentives are needed to convince a lot of the public to opt for an electric car (Rotaris, Giansoldati, Scorrano, 2021).
In Scotland there is financial support to aid individuals buying an electric car. Interest free loans up to £28,000 paid back in up to 6 years for new electric cars and up to £20,000 paid back in up to 5 years for used electric cars are available (Net Zero Nation, 2021).
The cheapest used electric car that can currently be purchased costs from £9,675 however, numerous used petrol/diesel cars can be purchased for below £5000 (Buyacar, 2021). Therefore, interest-free loans are not enough to make electric cars accessible/desirable to low-income households.
Grants could be provided to low-income households to facilitate the purchase of an electric car and even the playing field of choice between electric and petrol/diesel vehicles.
Alternatively, government intervention into reducing the costs of electric cars would make them more accessible. The Scottish government should look to partner with electric car manufacturers such as Nissan to fund innovation and reduce tax on production of electric vehicles. With a significant reduction in the price of electric cars to match the price of petrol/diesel cars the financial barrier of purchasing would be removed and uptake across Scotland would increase, hence reducing transport emissions.
One of the benefits of owning an electric vehicle is their low running cost.
Charging points have been installed across Scotland which initiatives to increase accessibility set. However, electric cars are mainly charged by a charging point which is installed at the owner’s home.
The installation of a home charging point costs around £800 (DriveElectric, 2020). Grants of up to 75% of the cost of installing home charge points are available (Gov, 2021).
As of April 2022, this will only be available to homeowners living in flats and people in rented accommodation. This change demonstrates governments aim to aid lower income households more in purchasing an electric vehicle.
Nevertheless, even with a grant of the maximum, 75% of an £800 would still leave a £200 installation cost, which is significant in particular to individuals in rented accommodation. Can people be expected to invest this much into installing a charge point into a home that is not theirs?
In 2018 there were 2.48 million households in Scotland, 14% were in the private rented sector, 22 – 25% in the social rented sector and 61-62% in the owner-occupied sector (Gov, 2019). A large proportion of people in Scotland do not live in a property they own.
Arguably, households in rented accommodation are excluded from accessing means to reduce emissions. In particular low-income households.
Some individuals in Scotland have enough disposable income to invest in an electric vehicle and charging point with/without government loans and grants dependent on their eligibility.
However, for those without sufficient disposable income available, loans and grants are not enough, excluding a large portion of society from reducing their emissions. But transport is not the only area where financial inequality is prevalent and hinders Scotland’s climate change aims.
The Scottish government has been working to “promote home upgrades” to meet the net zero target (Sturgeon, 2021). Across the UK people’s homes contribute 22% of emissions (Sustainable Energy Association, 2019). However, as seen in the transport sector, sufficient support is not provided to lower income households.
As mentioned, over a 3rd of households in Scotland in 2018 were private or social rented (Gov, 2019).
The Future Homes Standard will be introduced in 2025 which will increase efficiency requirements of new homes being built (Gov, 2025). People who buy, rent or build their own new home are rarely low income.
Targets for existing property have also been set to increase efficiency and reduce emissions. T
he Scottish governments Housing to 2040 plan sets out objectives for increasing home efficiency. It states “To lead by example, we will aim for all new homes delivered by Registered Social Landlords and local authorities to be zero emissions homes by 2026” (Gov, 2021).
The objective is there but the execution is not.
In 2018 it was found that 1 in 3 homes in Scotland did not meet the living home standard (Shelter Scotland, 2018).
The government is failing to improve energy efficiency in social houses. In Scotland, 38,046 social housing properties failed to meet minimum standards and 25,564 were exempt from meeting the standard (Campbell, 2021).
This is detrimental to the reduction of emissions within the housing sector but also highlights the issue of fuel poverty within Scotland. Moodie argues “the hardest to fix homes are being left until last” and as lots of social housing is old and inefficient, this is widening the gap between those in energy efficient housing and those in fuel poverty (from Campbell, 2021).
Moodie further argues, support that is available to homeowners and private tenants is not available to those in social housing (from Campbell, 2021). Therefore, financial inequality is evident in the housing sector in hindering the provision of energy efficient housing.
As with purchasing an electric car, government financial support is available to make homes more energy efficient. Interest free loans are available to cover costs of installing various renewables systems (Gov, 2021).
Furthermore, households can receive a maximum of 40% cashback (with a maximum of £6000) for certain energy efficient improvements (Gov, 2021). This is an incentive for homeowners with sufficient disposable income to invest in making their home more efficient, especially due to increasing energy prices which are predicted to soar for years to come, yet a large proportion of society cannot afford to make these changes despite loans available (Jack, 2022).
The possibility of receiving cashback for efficiency improvements is not a sure enough return for many individuals who cannot afford to invest in upgrading their home.
For those living in private rented accommodation, this issue is amplified as individuals will not invest thousands of their own income in improving the efficiency of a home that is not theirs.
If they have to move, they have lost this investment therefore government support available is not appealing enough. Hence, those who cannot afford to improve their homes energy efficiency will suffer more as costs rise as well as their emissions remaining high.
To tackle issues of incentivising home energy efficiency and installation of charge points in rental property, landlords must be encouraged as oppose to tenants. A reduction of tax on landlord’s rental income for properties based on energy efficiency level and presence of an electric vehicle charge point would encourage improvements. Furthermore, moving into a rental property with a charge point makes purchasing an electric vehicle more accessible.
To conclude, the negative impact of financial inequality on Scotland’s aim to reach net zero by 2045 is evident in the transport and housing sector.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon states “that focus on justice and fairness will be central to Scotland’s whole approach to COP26” (Sturgeon, 2021). However, is there justice and fairness in the support available for the Scottish public to reduce their emissions?
With only zero interest loans available to aid the purchase electric vehicles, high upfront costs still prevent lower income households from accessing them.
Similarly, with interest free loans and cashback available to increase home energy efficiency, households with enough disposable income have incentive to upgrade homes however, support is not sufficient in aiding those with lower incomes.
The large proportion of the public who rent property are not incentivised to make improvements and as energy prices soar, the issue of fuel poverty increases with the government’s claims to upgrade the energy efficiency of social housing failing.
Scotland’s target of reaching net zero emissions is not attainable by 2045 with current inequality. It is clear that the if changes are not made, financial inequality within Scotland will prevent Scotland from meeting its net zero goal and tackling the climate crisis.
A milestone for Edinburgh’s City Centre ‘Transformation’ has been reached as final designs for the Meadows to George Street (MGS) scheme are published.
The Meadows to George Street (MGS) project will overhaul conditions for walking, wheeling and cycling on some of Edinburgh’s busiest and most iconic streets, as well as enhancing public spaces.
Changes made along the route via Teviot Place, Forrest Road, George IV Bridge, the Mound and Hanover Street will be made in a way which respects and enriches the World Heritage Site.
Plans include segregated cycleways, wider pavements and pedestrian priority areas and have drawn on feedback received through various stages of public and stakeholder engagement since 2018.
The council aims to begin construction in early 2024 and once complete, MGS will integrate with the forthcoming George Street and First New Town (GNT) scheme at Hanover Street, which is scheduled for a construction start later in 2024.
Amongst these, the two-way cycle track at Hanover Street is changing to one-way cycle lanes on either side of the road to better tie in with the proposed George Street junction under GNT.
A bus gate is also being introduced on Market Street to reduce through-traffic in the area, while footways along the route have been widened further and a new safe cycle crossing over Princes Street tram tracks has been added.
Councillor Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “The transformation of Edinburgh’s city centre will lead to a truly connected, people-friendly place to live, work and spend time in.
“The Meadows to George Street project is one of the first steps to achieving this, as well as supporting our net zero goals by promoting sustainable travel, so it’s really exciting to see the final designs.
“We’ve worked hard over recent years to develop proposals which balance the needs of all those who use the street while prioritising safe and accessible travel by foot, wheel or bike. These plans provide a snapshot of how the route will look and operate in the near future, as part of our broader ambitions for the city.”
Councillor Karen Doran, Transport and Environment Vice Convener, said: “Our plans for Meadows to George Street are key to creating a Capital fit for the future, where healthy, active and sustainable travel is supported, and public spaces are opened up for socialising and relaxation.
“This is one of many projects to transform the way we use our city centre and I look forward to seeing it progress in the coming years.”
The MGS project is principally funded through Sustrans’ Places for Everyone programme, via Transport Scotland. This links in with other major Places for Everyone projects in Edinburgh, including the GNT project and City Centre West to East Link (CCWEL) which is already under construction.
Simon Strain, Head of Programme, Places for Everyone, at Sustrans said: “Sustrans have been working closely with The City of Edinburgh Council over the last few years to ensure designs for the MGS project meet the wants and needs of the people of Edinburgh. It’s great to see the final designs for the MGS project now shared.
“Once complete, the MGS project will make walking, wheeling, and cycling across Edinburgh city centre a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, connecting the Old Town to the New like never before.”
By transforming walking, wheeling and cycling through the busy heart of Edinburgh, MGS will make it easier and more attractive for people to choose travel by foot or bike as part of their everyday journeys. Improvements to the streetscape will create a safe, vibrant place for people to live in and for all to enjoy.
MGS will be central to the broader transformation of the city centre, which will reshape Edinburgh by significantly improving public spaces and prioritising movement on foot, by bike and by public transport.
It will connect to several other major schemes already underway or in development, such as CCWEL, Meadows to Union Canal and, with cleaner air and a more a more pleasant and attractive city centre to spend time in, the Low Emission Zone.
The council plans to begin the statutory processes required to carry out the proposed changes to the road layout in May.
The final designs for George Street are due later this year.
Find out more about the Meadows to George Street project and view the final designs online.
Posters designed by primary and secondary school pupils in Edinburgh are to front a city-wide campaign aimed at boosting recycling rates in classrooms.
The six striking and colourful designs were chosen from more than 900 entries to a poster competition run by the City of Edinburgh Council for P4-S2 pupils.
And, as well as encouraging recycling, the posters highlight the benefits that recycling food, paper and plastics brings to Edinburgh and the natural world.
Posters by Kayleigh Mok from James Gillespie’s Primary School, Coral Creswell from St Thomas of Aquin’s RC High School and Charlotte McPhail from Flora Stevenson Primary School, will be displayed in all primary and special education needs schools across the city.
Artwork by Arran Smith from Davidson’s Mains Primary School, Arla Howe-Speirs from East Craigs Primary School, Elise Ballinger from Preston Street Primary School, will feature in all Edinburgh secondary schools.
The posters are part of a move by the City of Edinburgh Council to ensure a consistent approach to waste management in schools across the city.
From after the Easter holidays (April 25th) dry-mixed recycling and food bins will be offered to all primary, secondary and special education need schools in the capital.
Schools will be supported with information and materials helping to show what items can be placed in each bin, as well as materials, including lesson plans, aimed at raising awareness of the benefits of recycling as the city moves towards its target of net zero emissions by 2030.
The move follows on from a primary school Youth Climate Summit held in the run up to COP26 last year, which found that pupils overwhelmingly wanted more recycling facilities in their schools, to help tackle waste and support climate action.
Leader of the Council, Adam McVey said: “We know for many schools in Edinburgh, taking steps to become more sustainable and cutting our carbon footprint has become part of daily life.
“These fantastic posters really help to highlight the importance of recycling and the benefits that it can bring to Edinburgh, from helping to protect our wildlife, to turning food waste into electricity.
“And, we hope this campaign will help to provide schools who just need a little extra support, to make it as easy as possible for pupils, teachers and school staff to make changes, that make a difference and help create a cleaner, greener city.”
Deputy Leader of the Council, Cammy Day said: “Highlighting the environmental and social benefits of cutting down on waste and making it even easier to recycle in schools across the city, will help introduce green habits to Edinburgh’s young people which will last a lifetime.
“It’s really important we all get in the habit of disposing of our waste correctly and reusing and recycling where we can. Making sure there are the same systems and approach to waste in schools across the city will make it even easier for pupils and school staff to help Edinburgh reach its climate targets.”
Nearly two fifths (38%) of adults in Scotland want to be more sustainable, and choose utilities providers that are also environmentally conscious.
13% of adults in Scotland plan to switch broadband provider in the next 18 months or more, 13% intend on swapping energy providers, and 9% want to switch entertainment platform services.
One in nine adults in Scotland (11%) believe they could get a better and more reliable broadband service by switching.
Research from Zen Internet has found that almost two fifths of Scottish adults (38%) want to be more sustainable and choose more eco-friendly service providers, with almost one in seven (13%) having already switched to a more sustainable energy firm.
Amidst this renewed enthusiasm to go green, Zen found that almost one in seven (13%) Scottish adults are ready to make the move and switch broadband providers in the next 18 months, whilst 13% and 9% are ready to switch energy and entertainment providers respectively.
Switching it up
Almost a third of Scottish adults (30%) reported the need for connecting an increased number of devices since the pandemic, thus requiring more bandwidth from their broadband service. A quarter (25%) also experienced more issues, including outages, than previously. As a result, over a third (36%) used time over ongoing lockdowns to explore alternative broadband options.
Of those who did take the leap and switched broadband provider in 2021, two thirds of Scottish adults (66%) revealed that switching was easier than they thought it would be. With the 2020s deemed the decade of full fibre, 12% of Scottish broadband users also switched to access better technologies such as full fibre, a reflection of growing demand across the country.
The best of both worlds
Scottish adults stating they have never switched broadband provider was at 21% versus 18% UK-wide. This may decrease in 2022 as many Scottish adults recognise the benefits of switching. One in ten (11%) already believe they could get a better and more reliable service by switching.
The need for speed comes amidst Zen’s recent announcement to follow the CityFibre rollout of gigabit-speed broadband to 285 towns, cities and villages across the UK. Still the UK’s only Which? Recommended Provider for Broadband, Zen aims to transform the digital capabilities of cities across the UK. CityFibre has invested £183 million collectively into Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness’ infrastructure as part of its nationwide Gigabit City Investment Programme.
Thanks to the full fibre rollout, Zen customers will get the best of both worlds. Residents in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Inverness not only have access to a reliable service with award-winning support, but as a certified B Corporation, Zen is part of a community of organisations around the world balancing profit with people and the planet.
Paul Stobart, CEO at Zen, said: “Little changes that people can easily action can make a real difference in both their lives and for the planet. This includes switching providers, whether it’s across energy, broadband or entertainment platforms.
“With all things digital increasingly taking a front seat in day to day life, the appetite for increased bandwidth is ever-present. That’s why ensuring you’re with a broadband provider that provides fast, reliable connectivity is essential. Consumers don’t want to compromise on that as they become increasingly keen to go green – and they don’t have to.
“Thanks to Zen’s B Corp status – which means our organisation balances profit with people and the planet – as well as our CityFibre rollout in Inverness, Edinburgh and Glasgow, many Scottish households can get the best of both worlds: an eco-conscious provider with unparalleled connectivity.”
Delivering on its determination to be a force for good, Zen is Carbon Neutral and is now on a path to Net Zero.
With a strong ethos to not be constrained by short-term financial targets, Zen has long-term goals to strive to make a positive impact on people and the planet.
