Simpler, clearer date labelling and storage advice for consumers, could help Scots cut the 170,000 tonnes of food thrown away from Scotland’s homes every year due to ‘not being used in time’. That’s the message from Zero Waste Scotland and Food Standards Scotland, who have welcomed new guidance for the food and drink industry. Continue reading New guidance calls for clearer date labels to cut food waste
Tag: Zero Waste Scotland
SNP challenges opposition to support ‘greenest agenda ever’
The SNP has challenged opposition parties to back “the greenest programme for government in the history of the Scottish Parliament”, as described by environmental campaigners.
The legislative agenda unveiled by the First Minister yesterday details 16 new bills, including ambitious plans to phase out the need for petrol and diesel vehicles by 2032 and launch a Scottish National Investment Bank. The programme also includes actions to tackle poverty and to transform education. Continue reading SNP challenges opposition to support ‘greenest agenda ever’
New partnership approach to prevent litter
Zero Waste Scotland has launched a nationwide initiative calling on businesses, local authorities and other organisations to help cut the cost of litter clean-up and join forces to prevent it from happening in their communities. Continue reading New partnership approach to prevent litter
Zero Waste Scotland launches new Knowledge Network
Anyone with a stake in tackling litter in Edinburgh can now get access to the latest advice and research from home and abroad as Zero Waste Scotland launches it’s brand new Litter Knowledge Network. Continue reading Zero Waste Scotland launches new Knowledge Network
Gearing up for Pass It On Week
Tomorrow marks the start of Pass It On Week – and it lasts ten days!
With this year’s Pass It On Week starting tomorrow, now is the perfect time to clear out cupboards, wardrobes, garages and sheds of unwanted or unused stuff that could have a useful life with someone else. From clothes to bikes, books to sports kit and gadgets to tools, everything is potential re-use treasure. Continue reading Gearing up for Pass It On Week
One third of Scots have unused smartphones going to waste
Zero Waste Scotland is challenging Scots to get involved with its ‘Big Electric Amnesty’, as part of this year’s Pass it on Week (11-19 March 2017), by donating their unwanted electricals to others.
Continue reading One third of Scots have unused smartphones going to waste
Dinnae waste a morsel this Burns Night!
As planning gets underway for Scotland’s annual celebration of the Bard, Zero Waste Scotland is encouraging Scots to make the most of the food they buy and avoid wasting their Burns Night fare. Continue reading Dinnae waste a morsel this Burns Night!
What a waste!
Let’s prevent over £90 million worth of food waste this Christmas Continue reading What a waste!
I’m dreaming of … a waste-free Christmas
Make this Christmas waste-free
Zero Waste Scotland is calling on Scots to make this Christmas memorable with pre-loved presents and personal style.
Christmas may be the time when most of us put on a few pounds around the middle and lose quite a few from our wallets. While perhaps we may resign ourselves to the first, there is a way to make the second a little less painful – or less wasteful at least.
According to figures from Zero Waste Scotland, Scots are expected to send more than 95 million Christmas cards this year; that’s enough to fill over 13,000 wheelie bins. Meanwhile around 19,000 miles of wrapping paper will be used across the country – enough to wrap the coast of mainland Scotland more than two and a half times. And that’s not even including food waste, with more than 50,000 tonnes of food and drink expected to be binned in Scotland during the month of December alone.
Scots are being encouraged to make Christmas 2016 a waste-conscious one by taking into account simple considerations when doing their shopping – thinking about how they will use up excess food and considering whether the cards and wrapping they buy can be recycled or re-used.
When it comes to gifts, buying trends are edging towards waste-free alternatives. The popularity of gift experiences continues to grow, with practical presents such as upcycling, sewing classes and repair skills appealing as equally as adventure gifts and spa days to those keen for a more meaningful gesture. Meanwhile new leasing and borrowing options are emerging, with trendy presents such as leasing Lego and tool library memberships providing unique and useful gifts for a wide range of ages and interests.
Iain Gulland, Chief Executive of Zero Waste Scotland, said: “Giving Christmas presents is such an enjoyable thing to do, and no-one likes the idea of them going to waste. Scotland is really leading the way on growing the circular economy, so it’s fantastic to see gift options emerging that let people give more meaningful presents that are unique and better for the environment.”
For inspiration on finding waste-free or waste reducing gifts this Christmas, see our 10 tips below:
Buy pre-loved
Visit second-hand shops to find unique gifts that are built to last. Check out our list of Revolve certified stores – Scotland’s national re-use quality standard for retailers
Make memories
Go for an experience – like gig tickets, a fancy meal out, a hot air balloon trip or spa day – rather than material things for an unforgettable gift.
Add a personal touch
Tailor your wrapping paper by personality and give your gifts some flair. Wrap your fashionable friend’s gift using an old copy of Vogue, for example, or re-use old comics to wrap kids’ Christmas presents.
Make things last
Cut down on paper waste by sending e-cards or buying cards made from recycled paper.
Add value
Give someone the gift that keeps on giving. Memberships or courses, such as sewing, upholstery or bike maintenance, give people the chance to develop a skill as well as indulging in a hobby or passion.
Pay it forward
Received a gift you don’t need but don’t want to ask for the receipt? Return it for an exchange, re-gift it if someone else would love it, sell it online or feel great and donate it to charity.
Combine and conquer
Have fun, save money and get a gift you actually want with a friends and family Secret Santa. Put names in a hat along with a hint of what you would like.
Make your own
Get creative and give someone a one of a kind gift. Are you a keen cook? Cakes, jams and chutneys can make useful and thoughtful presents, and cut down on food waste.
Shop smart
Plan your meals before you go food shopping. Writing a list makes sure you don’t overbuy saves you money and prevents food waste.
Be green
Opt for solar power outdoor lights where possible and remember to turn your Christmas lights off when you’re out or in bed.
For more inspiration on unusual eco-friendly gifts, from a remanufactured Polaroid camera to leasing Lego, visit the Zero Waste Scotland website.
Donate, don’t cremate!
Edinburgh residents are being urged to avoid the bonfire and send their unwanted furniture to a new home this season.
In Scotland more than 125,000 sofas are thrown away each year and end up in landfill. The rest – just 15% – are re-used. With Guy Fawkes’ celebrations just around the corner, Zero Waste Scotland is calling on Edinburgh residents to help boost that figure and give their goods a new lease of life simply by contacting the Re-use Line.
Created by Zero Waste Scotland, the initiative allows householders to arrange for large re-usable items, such as dining tables and sofas, to be collected, free of charge, and used by someone else. This reduces the amount of furniture that needlessly ends up in landfill – or on November bonfires – by making it easy, free and convenient to donate it instead.
Andrew Pankhurst, Re-use Campaigns Manager at Zero Waste Scotland, said: “More than 7,500 items have been donated via the Re-use Line since it was established in 2014, which is fantastic news for Scotland both environmentally and socially. The figures around re-use are staggering. The re-use of sofas saved from landfill each year contributes around £1.5million to the Scottish economy through sales and employment, and the carbon emissions prevented by re-using is equivalent to taking 682 cars off the road.
“There used to be a huge amount of hassle involved in disposing of unwanted furniture but the Re-use Line is a free, efficient solution. Its impressive uptake within just two years clearly shows it has been welcomed by householders and it’s doing its bit for local communities by supporting jobs and providing items for people in need.”
Householders can donate via the Re-use Line online anytime at www.reusephoneline.com, or by phone on 0800 0665 820 from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. An answerphone service is available at weekends.
Common items picked up by the service include sofas, chairs, tables, wardrobes, white goods and beds that are in good condition. Zero Waste Scotland advises householders that sofas and armchairs must have their fire tags still in place to comply with regulations around re-sale, and to ensure items are not broken or damaged.
Many items picked up are sent to second hand stores which are accredited as Revolve stores, a quality standard for second hand shops that meet high standards and levels of customer service.
Encouraging greater re-use of items is a key part of Zero Waste Scotland’s work on creating a circular economy, where products and materials stay in the highest value state for as long as possible.
The Re-use Line is funded by the Resource Efficient Circular Economy Accelerator Programme Fund, which is administered by Zero Waste Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government. It is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).The Re-use Line is funded by the Resource Efficient Circular Economy Accelerator Programme Fund, which is administered by Zero Waste Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government. It is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).