Latest news with #ZeroWasteScotland
The Independent
16-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
How England could be impacted by Scotland's landfill ban
Scotland 's upcoming landfill ban at the end of the year may lead to 100 truckloads of waste being transported to England every day due to a shortage of incinerators. Zero Waste Scotland estimates a 600,000-tonne capacity gap. Waste expert David Balmer estimates that 80 to 100 trucks will be needed seven days a week to transport waste to facilities in England or abroad. Alasdair Meldrum, director at Albion Environmental, has highlighted the environmental impact of transporting waste. The Scottish government says waste export is a temporary solution, and most councils have alternative measures in place.
The Independent
16-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Scotland could send 100 truckloads of rubbish a day to England after landfill ban
A landfill ban in Scotland could see up to 100 truckloads of waste being moved to England each day due to a lack of incinerators being available to meet extra demand. At the end of this year, the Scottish government will enforce a ban on 'black bag' waste from being buried in landfill sites, but not enough energy-from-waste sites will be ready by the 31 December deadline. Zero Waste Scotland have predicted the 'capacity gap' to be around 600,000 tonnes, with some councils approaching rubbish handling operators in England. The ban was originally due to be enforced in 2021 before being delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but environmental consultants of concluded that hundreds of tonnes of rubbish till have nowhere to go despite the delay. David Balmer, a waste expert from ERS Remediation, told BBC Disclosure: "You're looking at the equivalent of between 80 and 100 trucks minimum running seven days a week to take this material to a facility in England or abroad." The Scottish government are hoping to increase recycling rates and use more energy-from-waste incinerators, with the ban hoping to reduce the amount of rubbish that needs to be incinerated. Non-recyclable items such as wood, textiles, paper, and food will be banned from landfill, as it breaks down to produce methane is around 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide. However, the short-term impact is likely that emissions will increase given that that a large fleet of vehicles will have to transport the waste to sites as far away as Manchester. Alasdair Meldrum, director of waste management consultants Albion Environmental, also told the BBC: "We've probably not got the trucks and vehicles to actually move it." He added: "You've got the environmental impact of all that transport, it's nonsensical, but the people who have invested in incinerators are saying 'we've invested all this money because of the ban'. "So, we're stuck in a really hard place." In Scotland, there are currently eight operational incinerators, with additional ones currently being built. While they are still responsible for greenhouse gases, they are a third less damaging than the release of methane from landfill sites. The Scottish government said: "Any export of waste should only ever be viewed as a short-term solution." It added the "vast majority" of councils had alternative measures in place ahead of the landfill ban coming into force but they will "work closely with local authorities and sector bodies to monitor and review any related issues which may arise as the date of the ban approaches".
Press and Journal
05-06-2025
- General
- Press and Journal
Elgin locals share views on disposable vapes ban
On Sunday, July 1, a UK-wide disposable vape ban officially came into force. The new law bans all single-use vapes that cannot be refilled or recharged. We took to Elgin High Street to ask Moray locals their opinion on the legislation. Jackie Cowie from Peterhead shared her mixed thoughts on the change. She said: 'The disposable vapes are always handy for a one-off if somebody is stuck. 'I wouldn't use them but it's just a matter of choice.' Jackie quit smoking seven years ago, going cold-turkey before discovering vaping through a friend and becoming 'hooked'. She said: 'It is worse than smoking. Not everyone can afford £45-50 for a long-term vape. I do feel for them. 'I think its the same as cigarettes, they shouldn't hide them. If people are going to smoke then they'll smoke'. Others, like Julie Swinswood from Forres are supportive of the new vape ban, she said: 'It's a brilliant idea to ban the disposables. 'They're bad for the environment and too easy for children to get and then become hooked on nicotine'. The UK's disposable vape ban aims to protect young people and reduce environmental harm. Zero Waste Scotland estimates that between 21 and 26 million disposable vapes are used in Scotland each year. Following last year's MacMoray festival, volunteer litter pickers who cleaned up Cooper Park told The Press and Journal there were abandoned vapes left 'every couple of steps.' Many Moray locals echoed the health and environmental concerns and praised the government's disposable vape ban. Heather Lethaby from Forres said: 'Under 16s are handing these disposable vapes around. It's a good idea to ban it. I would ban cigarettes as well. 'I don't think there has been enough study on any of the vapes. I've seen how people's lungs have deteriorated from using vapes.' Elgin mum Dominique Bowditch said: 'I feel like the ban will be of benefit. 'You see vapes all over the ground and in the river. The reusable ones will be less rubbish and less pollution.' The Elgin mum also added that her teenage children have noticed the vapes are 'quite common in school' and that the ban 'will probably stop the sale of them to children'. Esther Strang, from Lhanbryde, also agreed with the environmental issues caused by the devices. She said: 'The ban sounds like a good idea, because if it's disposable, its probably going to end up on the floor or not going in the bin. It's adding to waste in the streets'. Health group Ash Scotland has raised concerns about rising e-cigarette use. Statistics show that between 2019 and 2022, regular use tripled in Scottish 16-24 year olds and doubled amongst 25-34 year olds. In just one year, regular and occasional vaping also doubled among 11-17 year olds.
The Independent
09-04-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Rewire economy to see Scotland become richer and greener, report urges
Scotland must rewire its economy to become a fairer, greener and richer country, an economic and environmental report has said. The paper urges political leaders to put a circular approach at the heart of growing the country's economy. Environmental organisation Zero Waste Scotland has published the report alongside the Economic Development Association Scotland (EDAS), which describes itself as the 'foremost membership organisation for economic development professionals working across Scotland'. The joint report calls for 'social provisioning' to be a central part of public policy to 'reverse the idea that society operates for the benefit of the economy to one which ensures the economy's purpose is to ensure benefit for the people and the planet'. Circular Economy: Unlocking Scotland's Economic Potential urges a move away from a 'take-make-waste' economy in Scotland that currently sees only 1.3% of materials reused. It calls for a circular economy instead, an idea based on the sustainable reuse of materials and products in a bid to create less waste. National and local governments are urged to 'embrace real reform' rather than 'tinkering at the edges'. The report praises Scotland's 'strong policies' promoting a circular economy but warns they must be more effectively integrated with the rest of society to achieve results. It also calls for a move away from GDP 'as the sole measure of success'. The authors say key industries, including housing, construction, renewable energy and food must embed circularity to drive sustainable development and reduce waste. The report says: 'We stand at an inflexion point moving from a long-standing fossil-fuelled economic growth model – with unacceptable levels of poverty and inequality with unsustainable and linear material and resource use – to an emerging circular, greener, more universally generous wellbeing economic model, one which must effectively organise itself accordingly to society's needs and wants. 'We need a rewiring of the economy which is not just tinkering at the edges. We must embrace real reform.' EDAS chairman Neil McInroy, an expert in community wealth building who previously advised the Scottish Government on the issue, said: 'The Scottish economy stands at a pivotal moment. 'As we transition from a longstanding linear growth model to an emerging circular wellbeing-driven framework, we must fundamentally rethink the purpose of economic development.' Mr McInroy said creating a circular economy would be 'central' to Scotland's future prosperity. He added: 'We need greater innovation and bolder ambition to transform our economy and move beyond the constraints of the traditional growth versus no growth debate and create a thriving, resilient society. 'Scotland has an opportunity to be a true leader in integrating circular principles into economic development.' Iain Gulland, chief executive of Zero Waste Scotland, said: 'For too long the circular economy has been painted as a 'bolt on' to business as usual; something that offers a degree of sustainability and opportunity around the fringes of the current economic model but only where circumstances allow and certainly not where it appears to get in the way of normal growth characteristics. 'But if we're serious about achieving a future that's both environmentally and economically sound, then circularity needs to become more central to the purpose of economic growth. 'It is the ultimate tool to help us increase prosperity in line with our net zero and anti-poverty objectives, realising lucrative opportunities for business growth, investment in innovation, upskilling of the workforce and create more resilient communities – as well as protect our natural environment. 'In Scotland we have a strong commitment to circularity at decision-making level, and through this partnership with EDAS we look forward to strengthening our work with the Scottish Government and key delivery partners to accelerate sustainable change for people, planet, and prosperity.' A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'We are determined to ensure that Scotland is at the forefront of the net zero economy. 'We are taking forward targeted actions to secure growth and investment, and providing certainty for businesses by demonstrating how we will work to reduce barriers to investment and, where appropriate, share risk and reward. 'Ministers recognise that a circular economy is essential to power Scotland's transition to a fair, green and sustainable economy, and critical to meeting our obligations to tackle the twin climate and nature emergencies.'
