Perth is named a zero waste town
Fair City secures £900,000 funding for recycling projects
Perth has officially secured nearly £900,000 in funding to help reduce its carbon footprint.
The Fair City is one of three places selected for Scotland’s zero waste town projects as part of the Scottish Government’s drive to transform communities for both residents and workers.
The Fair City will now join a network of zero waste towns throughout Europe and the grant – from the European regional development fund – will help to establish a city-wide re-use network, meaning retailers and residents in Perth will have better access to quality re-used goods through a consortium known as ‘Zero Waste Perth’.
John Summers OBE, chairman of environmental group Beautiful Perth, said he is excited to see what this new project will bring.
He declared: “Our volunteers have worked hard to make Perth a vibrant place to live, work and visit for more than 20 years.
“We’re proud of that, and very excitied to be leading this new Zero Waste Perth consortium with Perth and Kinross Council and EcoTechnic of Perth College UHI.
“We look forward to building partnerships that will encourage re-use and repair schemes, reduce food waste, encourage more sharing, increase recycling, improve resource efficiency and create economic opportunities through developing the circular economy.
“In doing so, we hope to inspire positive changes in Perth, which will have wide ranging social, economic and environmental benefits for everyone.”
This project was initially singled out by the Scottish Government’s
Roseanna Cunningham MSP with Beautiful Perth chairman John Summers and Iain Gulland , CEO of Zero Waste Scotland circular economy strategy as high-value use for longer. Scotland’s zero waste towns in a way that maximises social having great opportunities to “In Scotland we are working come up with new and innovative and local benefits. This is vital deliver a number of benefits to towards ambitious targets on ideas to bring these targets within to achieving inclusive and the region. waste, with 70 per cent recycled reach.” sustainable growth for the future.”
Perthshire South and or prepared for re-use by 2025, Iain Gulland, chief executive He continued: “Communities Kinross-shire MSP Roseanna and a commitment to reduce of Zero Waste Scotland, added: are right at the heart of delivering Cunningham – who is also food waste by a third by the same “Engaging communities in real, lasting behaviour change. the cabinet secretary for the year.” Scotland’s transition to a With their new zero waste town environment, climate change and SNP politician Ms circular economy, where waste status, these three areas will have land reform at Holyrood – said: Cunningham added: “Action is eliminated and we make things new tools with which to build on “Re-using and recycling more, from households, communities last longer, is absolutely essential. their zero waste work - while and making the most of the food and businesses is crucial to “Only by engaging individuals contributing to coordinated we buy and grow, is something achieve this. That is why I at community level can we fully action across the country to we can all do to reduce waste and am delighted to announced grasp the potential to deliver drive a more sustainable, circular, keep products and materials in this funding which will help circular economy solutions economy.”