A ‘groundbreaking’ pilot is to support Scottish businesses in trialling and implementing sustainable alternatives to single-use items.
Launched by Zero Waste Scotland, the ditching disposables scheme coincides with the recent announcement from the Scottish Government that a number of single-use plastic items will be banned from June 2022.
The new regulations include restrictions on plastic cutlery, drink stirrers, and food containers made from expanded polystyrene – items predominately found in cafes and hospitality businesses.
The legislation also covers plastic items made from both fossil-based and plant-based plastics – regardless of whether they are recyclable, biodegradable or compostable. It also covers plastic items which contain recycled content.
Zero Waste Scotland said that a ‘common mistake’ is to replace one disposable option with another made from different material, with it hoping that the ditching disposables scheme will guide businesses on alternative environmentally friendly solutions – with it exampling the swapping of single-use plastic stirrers for a reusable metal spoon.
It also forms a ‘pivotal’ step towards the creation of its ‘first-of-its-kind’ roadmap, which Zero Waste Scotland said will equip businesses ‘across the world’ with the necessary tools, and knowledge to make the switch – using data collated from successful interventions found through the initiative.
Businesses in Portobello and Joppa have already signed up to the initiative. Malvarosa, Go Go Beats, Oscar’s Gelato, The Boathouse, St Andrews Restaurant & Takeaway and ShrimpWreck are amongst the outlets on board. They will trial a series of initiatives including a deposit scheme for reusable containers, a charge for single-use items and edible spoons for ice cream.
Alvaro Bernabeu, owner of Malvarosa restaurant, said, “I don’t see sustainability as a trend but the way forward. As a small business, we’re doing what we can and want to play a part in changing attitudes. The recent ban on problematic single-use items by the Scottish Government is a very welcome step, but there isn’t enough guidance available to businesses on what is the most environmentally friendly alternative. I see this pilot as a really worthwhile exercise and I’m sure it’ll be very welcome by my customers.”
Iain Gulland, chief executive at Zero Waste Scotland, added, “We’ve all seen those pictures and videos of horrendous litter pollution strewn across land and sea. Waste, predominately made up of single-use items, is persistently causing harm to the environment in Scotland as well as the rest of the world. Right now, we live in a throwaway society, and we urgently need to move away from disposables completely. Our Ditching Disposables pilot is a huge step towards this goal.
“We’re working directly with business owners and their customers, at the ground level, to give them the right tools to find alternatives to disposables. We’re confident this pilot will help them to feel like they’re doing their vital part in reducing the amount of waste we produce. At COP26, Scotland proved it’s a world-leader when it comes to sustainability, and this pioneering project will further cement this status and form part of its legacy.”
