ADVERTISING FEATURE APRIL 2019
Coming around THE last two years have seen an unprecedented change in the public’s view of waste and resources. Harrowing images of the devastation that waste plastic is causing to marine life are increasingly frequent on our television screen, raising a new consciousness in the general population about how we manage and look at waste. Terri Vogt, project manager at Circular North-east, the focal point for informing and inspiring businesses in the region to realise the benefits of the circular economy, says this public view is increasingly reflected in the business landscape. “The pressure on businesses to understand their resource use is continuing to grow,” she said. “The future presents significant opportunities for those businesses that are tackling this issue head-on, or are bringing new solutions to the market. However the environment is complicated and more needs to be invested in education of both consumers and businesses to make the right choices. “The circular economy is ultimately about trying to eliminate waste by decoupling economic growth from the need to extract finite materials. This can be achieved by designing
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out waste, avoiding non-reusable materials, exploring the use of by-products or what might be deemed ‘waste’ by one business as feedstocks for another, considering the reparability and durability of products and their potential for reuse; and finally recycling.” While the will to get involved is growing, what’s already clear is the scale of opportunity in the North-east. A research study carried out on behalf of Zero Waste Scotland predicted potential economic benefits from adopting a circular economy in the Aberdeen City Region in the scale of £625m, including £286m in the construction and built environment sector; £250m in the energy sector (including oil and gas and renewables); £52m in food, drink and the wider bioeconomy; and £37m in manufacturing. Since its launch last April, Circular North-east has identified nine projects where companies have secured funding to help them develop circular opportunities. Some are looking to generate new commercial opportunities and revenue generation through the management of waste materials in a different way. Others are looking to generate cost savings by looking at designing out waste and waste reduction measures. For example, Grampian Housing Association is looking at how to reduce
waste arising through its supply chain from the design and management of its housing stock. The companies involved come from a range of sectors including food processing, construction, waste management and the third sector. “Our progress so far shows the enthusiasm and interest of companies in the area, in particular this is demonstrated in start-ups that are trying to do things in this space. Examples include Origin, a spin out from Robert Gordon University that has developed an innovative new way to recycle plastics to make new products using low cost technology making it accessible to a wide range of organisations,” said Terri. “We have engaged with about 500 stakeholders, including individuals, small and large businesses and community groups. What has touched me most is the level of personal engagement people make with the issue of wastefulness. “People have demonstrated their willingness to adapt when encouraged through the taxing of plastic bags and this trend will continue when other options are opened to them. It is the role of businesses to allow them to make the right choices through the products and services they offer.