The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Spotlight on support for local circular economy
SME: Grants of up to £1m for reuse projects
Potential funding streams to exploit chances in the circular economy will be explored when business leaders gather for two briefings in Tayside this month.
Circular Tayside was launched last month in a bid to raise awareness of the growing reuse economy, which aims to reduce waste by diverting items such as used plastic bottles away from landfill and into a secondary use.
The local project will help Tayside firms upskill in order to capitalise on opportunities arising in the region.
Attendees at the Chamber of Commerce run sessions in Dundee on Thursday and Perth on June 27 will also be briefed about grant aid of up to £1 million per project available to SME companies.
“The current linear business model – take, make, dispose – will lead to rising costs, supply chain disruptions and uncertainty for businesses in Tayside,” said Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce chief executive Alison Henderson.
“I encourage all local business managers to come along and find out more about this exciting initiative and to access the free support and grant funding that’s available to help them future-proof their business.”
Perthshire Chamber of Commerce chief executive Vicki Unite said the briefings were a chance for local business leaders to hear from firms already making brass from what other people may consider muck.
She said: “These breakfasts are a great opportunity for local firms to hear first-hand from other Scottish businesses that are already enjoying the benefits of circular business models, including businesses turning food and agricultural waste into new profit streams, manufacturers that are developing new business models to ensure long-term growth, and innovative SMEs that are finding new market opportunities.”
Circular Tayside feeds into Zero Waste Scotland’s nationwide circular economy programme, which is supported by the £18m Circular Economy Investment Fund and Circular Economy Business Support Service.
The initiative is part of the Europeanfunded Resource Efficient Circular Economy Accelerator Programme, which is expected to invest £27m in circular economy projects in Scotland by December 2019.