Zero Waste Scotland opens three new waste funds
Emma Leedham | 19 August 2013

Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS) has today (19 August) opened three new investment funds of up to £50,000 for innovative projects that ‘encourage more recycling, prevent litter and cut down on food waste’.

Three new funds are now open as part of the £10 million pot ZWS is investing this year in infrastructure, innovation and capacity to create a zero waste society.

Fund details

The new funds are:

Litter and Flytipping Fund

Businesses, local authorities, charities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community and third sector organisations, can apply for grants of between £2,000 to £50,000 for projects that ‘trial new ideas and approaches to help tackle the issues of litter and flytipping in Scotland’. The fund is aimed to support the Scottish Government’s draft Litter Strategy.

Local Recycling Communications Fund

Local authorities can apply to this fund to receive up to £1.50 per household to undertake new communications and engagement initiatives to ‘engage communities, raise awareness of recycling services and motivate behaviour change in order to increase the quantity and quality of recycled materials collected’.

Consumer Behaviour Innovation Fund

Third sector groups, organization and businesses can apply for grants of between £3,000 and £30,000 to ‘support ideas and interventions to influence consumer behaviour in relation to recycling and in preventing food waste through the use of innovative engagement interventions’.

The Local Recycling Communications Fund is open until the end of December this year, with applications for the other two funds open until Friday 13 September.

Investment will ‘make a real difference’

Speaking of the new funds, Director of Zero Waste Scotland, Iain Gulland, said: “Zero Waste Scotland sees investment in innovation and capacity building as key to driving the move to a zero waste society, which will bring benefits to our environment and create jobs and economic growth.

“It is particularly important that we support people to practice the right behaviours through education, awareness and practical encouragement. These new funds – part of our strategic commitment to a zero waste society – will help people to reduce litter and waste and increase recycling and re-use. We look forward to working with others to make a real difference.”

Read more about the three new ZWS investment funds.

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How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?

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There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.