News Archive 2007

December 2007

Scotland’s top environmentally-friendly businesses announced: Three companies have beaten off stiff competition from companies across Scotland to be crowned National Winners at the Vision in Business for the Environment of Scotland (VIBES) Awards. The winners were:

• Large company (more than 250 employees) category – Total E&P UK Ltd: an oil and gas company based in St Fergus, Aberdeenshire.
• Medium company category (50-250 employees) – Emtelle UK Ltd: provider of ducted network and blown fibre solutions based in Hawick, in the Borders.
• Small company category (fewer than 50 staff) – Cream O’Galloway Dairy: a
  family-run, luxury ice-cream manufacturer from Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Galloway.

For further information visit http://www.vibes.org.uk/

Shoppers urged to buy local: Shoppers have been urged to try to buy in-season Scottish produce, to celebrate the quality of home-grown food this New Year and beyond. Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead has pledged to increasingly consider where his food comes from and source more food from Scotland wherever practical. More info

Energy efficiency of buildings: The report of an expert panel appointed to look at ways to make homes and buildings more energy efficient was published today.

Among the 56 recommendations to Ministers are:

• Staged increases in energy standards for new buildings every three years to substantially reduce emissions
• The aim of net zero carbon emissions for space heating, hot water, lighting and ventilation within the next ten years, if practical
• The ambition of total-life zero-carbon buildings by 2030
• Consideration of zero fees for building warrant applications where new buildings are to be significantly above the current energy standards More info

New portable waste battery collection scheme launched to UK businesses: The UK business community is being encouraged to engage in the latest initiative to promote waste battery recycling. The BattBox has been designed by the UK’s leading waste battery collector, G & P Batteries, to encourage people to recycle portable waste batteries produced in the workplace. More info

Waste Aware Tayside: Reducing the amount of waste your business produces can help to lower costs as well as reducing your impact on the environment. Posters to promote the waste prevention message in the work place are available now. To download the posters and for more information click here.

New WRAP Study Shows High Levels of Recycled Tyre Rubber Can Be Incorporated Into Truck Retreads: New WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) funded research has demonstrated that crumb rubber from waste tyres can be successfully incorporated into retread compounds for road truck and earthmover tyres at much higher inclusion rates than was previously understood to be viable. More info

Call for greener approach to food packaging: A framework for making all food packaging recyclable or compostable by 2013 has been unveiled by environmental charity Green Alliance. The organisation has laid out a range of measures to encourage food manufacturers, retailers, local authorities and waste companies to make their products more sustainable. More info

Major initiative to aid packaging recycling: Retailers are looking to replace the current range of symbols and messages on packaging with a single logo.  They have seized the initiative and they are working to agree standardised recycling labelling for packaging as a way of encouraging customers to recycle and so help the Government achieve its waste reduction targets. More info

Key Climate Change Summit Open in Bali: Governments at a key UN climate summit will discuss how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions after the current Kyoto Protocol targets expire in 2012. Talks will centre on whether a further set of binding targets is needed. More info

November 2007

CBI backs new UK green taxes: Senior business leaders have called for new taxes and regulations to tackle climate change, pledging their support for radical measures to stimulate the development of a low-carbon economy. More info

Scottish Government launches Economic Strategy: The Scottish Government today launched its new Economic Strategy with the purpose of creating a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth. More info

Scottish Budget and Spending Review Announced: The Scottish Government's spending plans for the next three years were outlined to MSPs in Parliament. Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, John Swinney, said it was a budget for growth and prosperity. More info

New WRAP Study Compares Leaching Performance of Recycled and Secondary Aggregates in Concrete: New research published by WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) has shown the leaching performance of concrete containing recycled and secondary aggregates to be similar to concrete made using aggregates from primary sources. More info

Reducing Waste Through Off Site Construction: A series of case studies published by WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) has revealed that some off site construction (OSC) systems can reduce on site waste by up to 90 per cent.  This is an important step in equipping the industry with the knowledge they need to deliver the Government’s proposed target to halve construction waste to landfill by 2012. More info

VIBES Awards 2007: The final judging for this year's Vision in Business for the Environment (VIBES) awards is due to take place towards the end of November. For those of you involved look out for your invitation to the awards dinner on the 5th December at the Radisson Hotel in Glasgow. More info

Scottish Enterprise gives assurance on commitment to rural areas: Scottish Enterprise's Chief Operating Officer Lena Wilson has assured Scotland's lowland rural communities that the development agency remains fully committed to helping them play their part in growing the Scottish economy. More info

Scottish Construction Industry to focus on sustainable development: More than 150 representatives of Scotland's construction sector will discuss the implications and opportunities for the industry of embracing sustainable development when they meet for the annual conference of the Scottish Construction Forum in Perth on the 9th November. More info

October 2007

Local Food Marketing Guide: The Scottish Agricultural College has published a guide that aims to help food producers identify new business opportunities in the fast-growing field of local produce. More info

Fair Trade Nation Plan: Scotland 's Fair Trade Forum has been launched at the Scottish Parliament. The move is part of a joint initiative with Wales to become the world's first self-declared fair trade nations. More info

WRAP launch new SME funding programme: WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) has launched a new funding support scheme to develop and expand recycling services to small and medium-sized businesses. The aim of the funding is to increase capacity in provision of recycling services to businesses across the UK. If you are a new or existing provider of recycling services based in the UK, and you want to develop or expand your service to new and additional areas, customers and materials then WRAP's new funding support scheme may be able to help you. The attached PDF  provides more information on the scheme.

WRAP is also holding free information sessions across the UK on the following dates:

Friday 26th October, Manchester
Monday 29th October, Stirling
Tuesday 30th October, London
Wednesday 31st October, Cardiff
Tuesday 6th November, Belfast

The information sessions are aimed at service providers that want to find out more about the scheme or to discuss ideas on a one-to-one basis with an adviser. To download the application form and scheme guidance, and to register to attend an information session go to www.wrap.org.uk/smefunding

Asda and Sainsbury's Top Grocers For Waste Action: Asda and Sainsbury's are leading the major supermarkets in their actions on waste and recycling, according to a new report from the National Consumer Council.

Grading eight major UK supermarket chains on various environmental performance, the consumer watchdog gave ASDA and Sainsbury's "B" grades for their efforts to enable and encourage shoppers to recycle and reduce their waste. More info.

Loan Action Scotland working to provide the solution to a greener Scotland: As Energy Saving Week kicks off, there couldn’t be a better time to review your energy bills and identify areas that can be improved on. Businesses can apply for a loan between £5,000 and £100,000 interest-free and repayable up to 4 years. Loan Action Scotland is available for small and medium sized companies and can be used in order to support the installation of new energy saving measures. To be eligible the company must have been trading for at least 12 months, have fewer than 250 employees and a turnover less than £35 million. For more information contact: Aimee Weatherburn, Business Environment Partnership, 0131 561 6270 aimee@thebep.org.uk or visit http://www.thebep.org.uk/index.php?page=loan-introduction

Scottish Government Hosts Waste Summit: Ministers have called together Scotland's local authorities, waste industry and environmental groups for talks on how to make further progress on dealing with the country's waste on the same day that new statistics showed further improvements in recycling rates. More info

Reducing waste can improve business: Businesses in Scotland who actively try to reduce their waste could boost their profits and efficiency levels, according to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). More info

Scotland meets its Landfill target: Waste has been a hot topic in the media recently. With television shows, news reports and events all highlighting the issue of the need to reduce the waste we produce and it seems the message is getting through. More info

September 2007

Waste Strategy 2007: NISP puts words into action: The Waste Strategy 2007 aims to cut business waste to landfill. Speaking at RWM 07 Susan Juned, NISP Local Government Liaison Officer, explained how NISP was putting words into action. More info

Future of Scotland's enterprise networks: Proposals to overhaul Scotland's enterprise networks were announced today. During a statement to parliament, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth John Swinney said that re-energised enterprise networks will be the firm foundation on which increased, sustainable economic growth is built in Scotland. More information

Tourism Businesses Get Help To Become Greener: Tourism businesses in the Cairngorms National Park have been chosen to pilot a national recycling scheme. The Scottish Waste Awareness Group (SWAG) has chosen Britain’s largest national park to trial its latest project. The scheme will be aimed at and tailored to the tourism sector and it will provide recycling information and opportunities for businesses and visitors. More info

Residents in Perth & Kinross Give Batteries an Even Longer Life: Since March, Perth and Kinross residents have recycled 1158.2 kilograms of batteries. That’s more than the combined weight of two highland cows! More info

Scotland Business Waste Survey: SEPA is to undertake a second national survey of businesses in Scotland to gather information on the types and quantities of waste generated in 2006. More info

UK businesses unaware of tough new treatment requirements: Most UK businesses are unaware of and unprepared for regulations that require all businesses to treat their own non-hazardous waste before landfill disposal from 31 October. The legislation has resulted from the European Union Landfill Directive, which aims to reduce reliance on landfills throughout the EU, and requires every business to fill out and keep 'pre-treatment forms' to demonstrate their commitment to landfill reduction. More info

Scottish construction delivers UK leading performance: The Scottish construction industry is out performing the UK sector as a whole across several important areas according to the latest published key performance indicators (KPIs). More info

The Scottish Government - it's official: Scottish Ministers have formally adopted the title Scottish Government to replace the term Scottish Executive as an expression of corporate identity. The change is intended to help the public more clearly understand the role and functions of the devolved Government in Scotland. More info

August 2007

Energy Billing and Metering: Changing Customer Behaviour: This consultation looks at how to implement the government's proposals to cut energy use through the roll out of state of the art smart meters, and real time visual display units to households and businesses. Consultation closes: 31 October 2007.More info

Small Renewable Energy Projects: Scottish Renewables is updating its records of 'small' renewable energy projects. The record includes projects providing electricity and/or heat or transport biofuel for communities or businesspremises, with installed capacity of up to 1000 Kilowatts. If you have been involved in any such schemes, please email info@scottishrenewables.com with the following project details: Project Name, Location, Developer/Owner, Installed Capacity (kW), Status (operating, in planning, under construction) and Technology (e.g. woodfuel heating, solar heating etc.). Any additional details would also be appreciated.

Red tape slashed to help businesses go green: The UK government has commissioned an environmental and planning consultancy to draw up new planning rules that will ensure the system is doing more to encourage the use of renewable energy. More info

Green energy excellence to be rewarded: The Scottish government has announced the introduction of the Saltire Prize for innovation in industry. The first award will be made in 2008 and will focus solely on renewable energy. More info

Committee on climate change: Applications have been invited for the Chair and members of the new UK Committee on Climate Change. The Committee will bring together experts from climate science and policy, economics, business competitiveness and financial management. More info

Fury over 'road bias' in Forth crossing plans: TRANSPORT Scotland has been attacked from business and environmentalists for its exhibition on the Forth Replacement Crossing. More info

Support for social enterprises: The Scottish Executive will make available additional economic development support to social enterprises to help increase skills in order to maximise income generation, secure investment in the business and provide more services for those who need them. More info

Radical approach to social enterprises delivering public sector contracts: The achievements of a groundbreaking social enterprise procurement initiative will be celebrated at an event in Glasgow on the 29th August. The initiative saw the development of two Public Social Partnerships (PSP) pilot projects in North Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire. PSP takes a radical approach to breaking down the barriers to social enterprises delivering public sector contracts. For more information click here.

Quality Assurance Document Sets Standards for Recovered Paper: A new code of practice that gives guidance on the key criteria required for the quality of recovered paper destined for UK end markets has been introduced by WRAP, and the British Standards Institute (BSI). More info

Helping you to get it sorted: The Scottish Waste Awareness Group (SWAG) has launched an improved version of their Waste Aware Business website to make it even easier for businesses to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. More info

Eco-friendly Bubble Wrap Launched: A new compostable bubble-wrap has been launched by a UK company. PH Flexible - a company based in Derbyshire - launched the compostable bubble wrap late last week in its 'eco-friendly' range following a launch earlier this year of a degradable version. More info

Taking the Weight Out of Wine Bottles: Lightweighting Comes of Age: Supermarkets Morrisons and Tesco, and wine brand owners Constellation Europe and PLB Wines have all confirmed that they have been working to use lighter weight glass bottles for wine.  This will impact nearly 90 million wine bottles, generating combined annual carbon savings of nearly 4,500 tonnes, equivalent to taking around 2,500 cars off the road. For further information click here.

Scottish Waste Figures Published: Figures on Scotland’s household and business waste for 2005/2006 are now available through an annual report produced by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). The figures can be viewed in full at:  http://www.sepa.org.uk/nws/data/data_digest.htm

Almost 75% of UK Adults Recycle According to New Report: A new report by Mintel into Ethical and Green Retailing highlights the level of people recycling but identifies need for retailers to do more to reduce packaging. More info

Business Gateway announces results of tender: The latest competitive tendering of Business Gateway services across the Scottish Enterprise area has concluded with the award of contracts to successful bidders in eleven Local Enterprise Company areas. More info

July 2007

Paper Weight Launches Recycling Campaign: To launch a new campaign to highlight how much energy can be saved by recycling, a tonne of paper, (kindly supplied by Wyllie Recycling Ltd) was displayed in Perth High Street on Wednesday 4th July. More info

New Scottish Recycling Figures Announced: Scotland is on course to ditch its "throwaway society" tag after reaching a recycling rate of more than 25 per cent, according to figures published on Wednesday 4 July 2007. A total of nearly 860,000 tonnes or 25.3 per cent of municipal waste, which is mainly from homes, was recycled or composted last year, achieving a target set by the previous Scottish Executive. More infomation

The Scottish Construction Forum (SCF) is set to update and refresh the construction industry action plan and is looking for comments: ‘Achieving construction innovation and excellence in Scotland’ was pulled together when the SCF launched three years ago and outlined the steps the industry needed to take to effectively modernise. "We are looking for as many people connected to the industry as possible to give us their opinion on what we should be concentrating our efforts on in the future," added Mr Millar. Responses to the consultation document should be submitted by the end of August 2007. More info

Call for nominations for Eventful Scotland Annual Awards: Entries are now invited for the 2007 Waste Industry Awards for Scotland. There is a wide range of categories which have been designed to reflect the widening sustainability agenda faced by all sectors. These categories offer an opportunity for the public, private and community sector to gain national recognition for the advances that they have developed and/or undertaking. The deadline for nominations is Friday 14 September. For further information and the nomination form please click here.

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations (WEEE): From Sunday 1 July, business & household consumers buying electrical products, from toasters to televisions, will be offered free take-back of old products, either in store, through collection, or at a local amenity site thanks to the introduction of the WEEE regulations. More info

Launchpad undertake carpet recycling serive: Launchpad Training & Enterprise's new carpet recycling service Launchpad House & Home has begun accepting donations of carpets and floor tiles. The company has successfully negotiated a Service Level Agreement with Perth & Kinross Council, and, via funding from the Scottish Executive Strategic Waste Fund, will now offer free uplift for donations of unwanted carpet and floor tiles. More info

Environment committee seeks advice: The Parliament's newly established Rural Affairs and Environment Committee has invited the public to suggest topics for the Committee to inquire into as part of its work programme for the coming year. More info

June 2007

Supermarket chiefs have accepted an invitation to a meeting to discuss the potential for promoting Scottish food: Leaders of UK supermarkets have agreed to attend a joint meeting later this year to discuss their role in Scotland and the Scottish government's food agenda. More info

UK Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling has rejected plans for a carbon capture and clean electricity production facility at Peterhead, despite plans being accepted by Scottish Ministers: Scottish Ministers have approved planning permission for the project although the main operators BP have announced that they do not intend to pursue it because of uncertainty over support from the Department of Trade and Industry. More info

Environmental Placement Programme: The Environmental Placement Programme (EPP) is run by the Business Environment Partnership.The overall aim of the programme is to improve environmental practice within Scottish businesses. The programme offers paid work experience opportunities for students, by linking them with host companies to undertake environmental projects. They are recruiting students and companies for the 2007 programme. If you would like further information about how you can participate please click here.

The Scottish Government is to begin consulting on the Climate Change Bill: Cabinet Secretary for Finance & Sustainable Growth John Swinney said " I want Scotland to become the green energy capital of Europe". More info

New Research Reveals Continued Growth in Plastic Bottle Recycling Rates: Plastic bottle recycling continues to go from strength to strength with 92% of UK local authorities now offering recycling collection facilities for plastic bottles, according to new research funded by WRAP and undertaken by Recoup (Recycling of Used Plastics). More info

Scottish Green Energy Awards 2007 - Call for nominations: The Awards recognise the achievements of people and organisations supporting and working in renewable energy in Scotland.  You are invited to nominate individuals, companies or groups who you feel deserve public recognition for their contribution to the growth of renewable energy in Scotland.  Nomination forms must be received by noon on Friday 5th October 2007. For further information

Transform Something Today With Recycle Week 2007: The Scottish public is being encouraged to get involved in this year’s national Recycle Week campaign by ‘transforming’ their attitudes and behaviour to recycling more household waste. More info

VIBES Awards - deadline for nominations 29 June: The Vision in Business for the Environment (VIBES) awards are open for nominations.  Are your actions and achievements being recognised? More info

May 2007

WRAP Expands Recycling Trials For SMEs: Following the success of its feasibility trials encouraging Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) to recycle their waste, WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) has launched a series of larger scale demonstration trials across the UK. For further informaiton please click here.

Report Reveals Key Carbon Choices for Wine Trade: Bulk importing of wine into the UK delivers significant reductions in CO2 emissions, but savings can vary significantly depending on the transport and packaging used, according to a new report from WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme). More info

Energy vision for Scotland: Minister says new energy strategy is linked to promotion of economic growth. More info

Clean Coal Technology: First Minister at Longannet Power Station where refitting will reduce carbon emissions. More info

UK among best to attract renewable energy investments: UK ranks together with Spain and Germany among the 5 most attractive locations for renewable energy investments. Globally only US and India rank higher. More info

Can Do Recycling Provide Recycling Solution to City Centre Businesses: Can Do Recycling has launched a new recycling service for the Glasgow business community. The service focuses on Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) located in and around Glasgow city centre. This new collection service, which will be promoted over the next six months, aims to recruit 200 new SMEs from the area. More info

April 2007

Social projects approved for gap funding: The potential funding gap for valuable employability and social inclusion projects across Scotland has been bridged thanks to the European Social Fund (ESF) Shadow Round. Deputy Minister for Enterprise Allan Wilson announced 58 successful projects that will receive a share of £10.4 million. This funding has been provided by the Executive ahead of the new European Regional Fund programmes being implemented. For further information please click here.

Research into living with flooding: New research exploring the social impacts of flood risk and flooding in Scotland has been published. The study explores the extent of the social impacts of flooding and living with flood risk in Scotland.  This research will inform the technical guidance on flood prevention schemes which is currently being prepared for the use of local authorities. More Information.

Climate change research published: The Executive has published four climate change research studies: Policy Gap Analysis; Local Authority - Carbon Trading Scheme; Scottish Executive - Greenhouse Gas Emissions Assessment; Evaluation of Energy Efficiency Policies and Programmes. More info

Funding for green volunteering: £61,000 to provide support and advice to groups engaged in environmental volunteering. More info

Management of radioactive waste: Publication of new measures to ensure safe management of low level waste. More info

Support for clean energy schemes: £1 million for six projects developing new hydrogen and fuel cell technology. More info

Planning guidance for renewable energy: All new developments must plan to reduce carbon emissions by 15 per cent. More info

Way forward for recycling: Minister re-affirms commitment to doubling Scotland's recycling rate to 55 per cent by 2020. More info

Enterprising Solutions Award 2007 (UK): The awards - run by the Social Enterprise Coalition on behalf of the Office of the Third Sector, RBS and NatWest in association with the DTI, DfES, Capacity Builders and The Observer - are seeking applications from established social enterprises that are original and dynamic.This year's awards were launched at Jamie Oliver's Fifteen restaurant in London, one UK's most famous social enterprises. This year the Overall Winner will receive a cash prize of £10,000 and a year's free membership to the Coalition. Three other finalists and the winner of the New Social Enterprise Award will receive £5,000 each. The closing date for applications is Friday June 1st 2007. More info

Scottish Marine Renewables SEA: The Scottish Executive has published the Environmental Report of the Scottish Marine Renewables Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for consultation.  The study area covers the west coast of Scotland, Orkney and Shetland and the Pentland Firth.  The consultation will address the results of the Environmental Report and how best to avoid, reduce or offset environmental effects. Deadline for responses: 22 June 2007. For further information click here.

SEPA seeking views on waste management regulations: SEPA and the Scottish Executive have launched this consultation in a bid to find out how the current regulations governing waste management could be improved. The Better Regulation of Waste initiative aims to determine if existing guidelines are effective and support Scotland's commitment to increase recycling rates and reduce the reliance on landfill. Closing date: 22 June 2007. More info.

Energy Efficiency and Microgeneration Strategy: The Scottish Executive has this month launched a public consultation on its draft Energy Efficiency and Microgeneration Strategy, Achieving a Low Carbon Future: A Strategy for Scotland, which sets out the Executive's aims for improving energy efficiency and encouraging greater uptake of microgeneration. The consultation closes on 11 June 2007. More info.

Social Enterprise Strategy launched - 30 March: A new strategy and action plan intended to grow and develop social enterprise has been launched by Communities Scotland. The strategy Better business - A strategy and action plan for social enterprise in Scotland highlights the contribution a social enterprise business model can contribute to economic growth and business development while at the same time meeting social objectives.

Your opinion on Scotland's Sustainable Development Strategy: The Sustainable Development Commission Scotland is currently undertaking the First Assessment of Choosing Our Future – Scotland’s Sustainable Development Strategy. As part of this work, we would like to gather your thoughts and opinions about Scotland’s Sustainable Development Strategy and its delivery on the ground.  The following link will take you to a short internet based survey which we hope you will complete. 

Online Recycled Product Guide for the Construction Industry: WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) has launched a new online tool, which will support the construction industry to increase recycled content in building work and meet minimum requirements.
Available now, the new searchable Recycled Product Guide documents more than 150 products across 35 common product categories which are available with higher levels of recycled content for use in construction, regeneration and refurbishment projects. More info.

March 2007

Funding for green energy projects. More than 70 biomass projects across Scotland are to share £10.5 million in a programme aimed at reducing CO2 emissions by 37,000 tonnes a year. One week after boosting the Scottish Biomass Support Scheme by £3 million to a total of £10.5 million, Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen today revealed that the funding pot is to be shared across 74 schemes. More information

Who can help businesses in Tayside achieve higher environmental credentials?TEN have recently produced a useful quick reference guide of organisations which can offer environmental advice and support to businesses in tayside. For further information click here

Biomass Action Plan for Scotland: Scottish Executive's Biomass Action Plan for Scotland. The aim of the Plan is to ensure that Scotland's biomass resource is properly supported and exploited, and that it delivers additional economic benefits whilst making a contribution to the ambitious targets for emissions reduction set out in "Changing Our Ways" - Scotland's Climate Change Programme. This Plan, for the first time, sets out a programme for the coordinated development of the biomass sector in Scotland. Key aims are:

• to provide a summary of the wide range of existing activities, actions and initiatives;
• to provide a focus for a strategic coordinated approach to developing biomass for energy production across the heat, electricity and transport sectors;
• to identify roles and responsibilities for government, industry and public stakeholders to develop a vibrant bioenergy industry in Scotland; and
• to identify future actions and gaps.

Further information

Energy Efficiency and Microgeneration: Achieving a Low Carbon Future: A Strategy for Scotland "Whilst energy policy and many of the regulatory powers associated with energy efficiency are the responsibility of Westminster, Scottish Ministers have chosen to take the lead by publishing this Strategy and by setting out the action they propose to take to help us meet our ambitious carbon savings targets through improving energy efficiency and encouraging a greater uptake of microgeneration. I want all of the people of Scotland, in their homes and in their places of work, to play a role in combating the effects of climate change - principally by reducing demand for energy through improved energy efficiency but also by microgeneration with low carbon technologies. To help us all think in a holistic way about the buildings in which we live and work, this strategy therefore addresses both energy efficiency and microgeneration." (Nicol Stephens MSP) Closes 11th June Link to consultation

Business Waste Framework and Action PlanThe National Waste Plan (2003) sets out the direction of Scotland's waste strategy up to 2020. The focus has been mainly on municipal waste and includes ambitious recycling and composting and waste prevention targets. This framework, in conjunction with the National Waste Plan, outlines the Scottish Executive (the Executive) and Scottish Environment Protection Agency's ( SEPA) approach to business 1 waste. While the municipal waste elements of the National Waste Plan have been underpinned by significant financial support through the Strategic Waste Fund, this is not applicable for business waste as the 'polluter pays' principle is well established and requires that waste producers pay for the collection and disposal of the waste they produce. This means that public money should be directed to providing support and advice and intervening where there is a particular need to stimulate trends, or evidence of market failure. Further information

Household Waste Prevention Guide A new guide published by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) aims to help local communities tackle the issue of household waste prevention. The guide provides support for the community sector, local authorities, and individuals to develop and implement a waste prevention project or campaign in their local area. For more information

Household Waste Prevention Action Plan Key points from the Household Waste Prevention Action Plan include:

• Reducing food waste by 35,000 tonnes through better awareness, packaging and marketing.
• Cutting unwanted mail by 10% (saving 18,000 tonnes)
• Reusing more of the products we throw away (saving 34,000 tonnes)
• Reducing excess packaging and developing lighter packaging (saving 62,000 tonnes)
• Encouraging home composting to divert 71,000 more tonnes from landfill
• Building sustainable design into products and giving better information on the lifespan of key household products (2,000 tonnes)
• http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/02/23113250/0 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/02/23113217/0

Two New Sources of Funding for Environmental Projects: 2007/08  The Scottish Executive under the banner of Natural Scotland: It's Our Future.  The Environmental Justice Fund has £2 million available for communities, and The Community Environmental Renewal Scheme has some £1.75 million. The schemes are being managed by Forward Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Executive, and will run for one year to the end of March 2008. Both schemes were launched today, 5 March 2007, and will support projects that help communities enjoy their local environment and become more involved in the amenities and activities it provides, as well as the issues and decision-making that surrounds it. We hope this will lead to communities becoming stronger, safer and more inclusive. Although applications can be made to both schemes, projects may only receive an award from one of the funds.   For further information visit the fund section of this web page

January 2007

Funding: Use of Quality Compost on Brownfield Sites WRAP wishes to investigate the potential for the use of quality compost on brownfield land through the establishment of trailblazer projects across Scotland. Closing date 15/01/07.More information...

Funding: Composting Facilties. Interested in developing a new composting facility, improving an exisitng one or manufacturing products using compost? Woudl funding help you achieve this? more information

Fund: For R&D Proposals to Reduce Household Food Waste WRAP wishes to invite proposals for projects to design, develop, test and trial innovative processes and packaging solutions which will reduce household food waste originating from the retail sector. Closing date 21/03/07 More information...

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