Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS), the Scottish Government’s waste reduction body, is calling on Scottish organisations to reuse goods ahead of the European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR).

Co-financed by the European Commission’s LIFE+ Programme, the annual week (which runs from 16-24 November) aims to raise awareness of the benefits of reducing waste, and offers tips on how people can ‘lessen the impact of a throwaway culture’. Earlier this month, the EC said it will be extending EWWR's scope to include recycling initiatives across Europe, especially focusing on countries where rates and awareness remain particularly low.

Reuse in Scotland

Ahead of the European Week for Waste Reduction, ZWS is providing organisations with free, downloadable information materials on how to reuse more goods.

According to ZWS, reuse services in Scotland currently divert 450,000 tonnes of material from landfill every year, generating around £20 million. The body added that if people in Scotland reused 10 per cent more clothing, furniture or washing machines, the country could save £1.2 million (in waste disposal costs) and 2,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emission a year

Businesses, local authorities, charities and individuals are now being urged to promote their waste reduction activities across the week. Activities could include:

• arranging a repair workshop or craft event, where people can mend or ‘upcycle’ used items such as bicycles or furniture;
• hosting a swap shop or donation day for people to swap unwanted items with each other; and
• highlighting services available such as Scotland’s National re-use phone line – 0800 0665 820 – which helps people to donate unwanted household goods including furniture and electrical items by identifying local collecting organisations.

Speaking of the week, Iain Gulland, Director of Zero Waste Scotland said it was a ‘great initiative’ that highlights ‘what can be done to have a positive impact on reducing waste’.

He continued: “It’s great to see reuse in the spotlight this year – in Scotland increasing reuse is a key priority, and Zero Waste Scotland is dedicated to improving the capacity, professionalism and consistency of the sector through Revolve, our national re-use quality standard.

“But we can always do more. Making even the smallest changes in our daily lives can make a big difference to the environment and our communities, and help to move Scotland towards becoming a zero waste society.”

Safeguarding Scotland’s Resources

The focus on waste reduction follows on from the launch of a resource efficiency blueprint for Scotland, earlier this month. ‘Safeguarding Scotland’s Resources’ sets out an action plan for bringing about ‘a more resource efficient and circular economy’ and was put together after a finding that ‘around 75 per cent more raw materials would need to be extracted over the next 25 years if the country’s consumption trends continue at the current rate’.

As well as protecting the environment, it is hoped that resource efficiency measures will bring cost savings of £2.9 billion.

It forms part of the Scottish Government’s zero waste plan, which also includes a national reusequality standard, Revolve.

Find out more about the European Week for Waste Reduction.