Danny Sawrij ǁ Zero Waste Scotland

DannySawrij has been watching the recent waste management and recycling developments in Scotland with great interest. Scotland has experienced something of a waste management revolution over the last few years, with a firm commitment to recycling and sustainability on the national agenda. Danny Sawrij identifies the foundation of Zero Waste Scotland as an eminently pragmatic solution to the country's waste management problems, as well as a symbolic gesture of Scotland's desire to create a more environmentally friendly future.

A Zero Waste Society

As part of its bid to reduce waste and make Scotland an international environmental leader, the Scottish Government has pledged its support to Zero Waste Scotland.

Zero Waste Scotland is an organisation designed to promote a cleaner, more ecologically responsible way of life. It is allocating funds to significantly improve the waste management and recycling infrastructure of Scotland.

It has designated three strands of funding in order to target three main areas of concern:

• Litter and Fly Tipping. Zero Waste Scotland are channelling resources to allow them to disseminate information about the responsible disposal of refuse. As a companion to the Scottish Government's proposed litter strategy, the scheme is open to a number of parties, including local councils, land agents, charities and NGOs. It also seeks to clarify the available deterrents, such as fines imposed for littering.

• Local Recycling Communications Fund. This will help to enhance communication about recycling between local authorities and the general public. Authorities will be able to distribute high-quality promotional literature and produce advertising materials.

• Consumer Behaviour Innovation. The intention of this project is to generate ideas to maximise the success of approaches to recycling and food waste reduction. There is a financial contribution in the form of grants (from £3,000 to £30,000 depending on the applicant).

These initiatives represent a powerful statement of intent from Zero Waste Scotland and the Scottish Government, and demonstrate that they are serious about the state of the environment.  Danny Sawrij welcomes these measures, and hopes that England, Wales and Northern Ireland will also continue to pursue their own beneficial “green” policies. The efforts and progress that Scotland is making here can only be a positive influence for the rest of the world.