Two resource management companies, a local authority and a recycling services social enterprise have become the first four signatories of Scotland’s Resource Sector Commitment, Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS) has announced.

According to ZWS, Changeworks, an Edinburgh-based social enterprise that offers waste and recycling services, was the first to sign up to the agreement, shortly followed by resource management companies William Tracey Group and Lowmac, and local authority South Ayrshire Council.

Resource Sector Commitment Background

First launched in April 2013, the Scottish Government-backed initiative aims to set consistent standards for business waste collections and to help deliver the country’s zero waste targets.

Introduced ahead of new waste regulations (set to come into force in January 2014) which will make it compulsory for all businesses to separate materials for recycling, the commitment complements the launch of the government’s new Resource Efficient Scotland programme, designed to help organisations save money through reducing waste.

Resource management service providers (such as local authorities, private and third sector resource management businesses and relevant associations and trade bodies) that sign up to the commitment agree to:

• provide customers with high quality recycling services;
• give advice on preventing waste and using resources efficiently;
• have ‘user-friendly’ contracts and charging structures; and
• enable customers to give feedback

Speaking at the launch of the commitment in April, Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said that the commitment was an “opportunity for councils, the private sector and community sector to demonstrate real support for zero waste as well as committing to provide high quality and consistent services to their customers”.

The commitment has been developed by Zero Waste Scotland in collaboration with the resource management industry and small business representatives.

Commitment is a ‘win-win’

Speaking of the first signatories, Iain Gulland, Director at Zero Waste Scotland (pictured above, with Ken McLean from Changeworks) said: “I’m delighted to see these four organisations leading the way in signing up this commitment, and I hope to see many more follow suit in the near future.

“The new Waste (Scotland) Regulations which come into play next year will drive a change in the way Scotland manages its resources, and this commitment will play an important part in working towards that change.”

Ken McLean from Changeworks, said that the commitment “recognises the waste and resource management companies that deliver high quality recycling services".

Councillor John McDowall, South Ayrshire Council’s Portfolio Holder for Sustainability and Environment, added the commitment was a “superb accolade”, saying: “Preparations for the introduction of the new waste regulations in January 2014 are well advanced, allowing us to continue offering our customers efficient, user friendly and affordable commercial waste services that meet their business requirements and comply with the objectives of the Resource Commitment - a superb win-win situation for all parties. “

Robin Stevenson, Managing Director of the William Tracey Group continued: “It is vital that the sector works together to maximise the potential of Scotland's secondary resources. This will not only benefit the environmental but will also play an important role in helping our customers control their costs.”

Read more about Scotland’s Resource Sector Commitment.