Scottish government urged to do more for circular economy

The Scottish government has been called to take more action on the circular economy at the Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association’s (ADBA) inaugural Scottish National Conference in Glasgow.

Shadow Cabinet Secretary for the Environment Maurice Golden, who led the Circular Economy Programme for Zero Waste Scotland prior to being elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2016, commended the Scottish Government on its 2016 “Making Things Last” report.

However, he said that more work needed to be done to reap the full benefits of a circular economy strategy.

He also said that an improved understanding of the sources and streams of waste would make it easier to reduce levels of waste.

There are now over 40 operational AD plants spread across Scotland, from the Scottish borders to the Western Isles, with more than half of these plants commissioned within the last three years.

The Scottish AD market is now worth £66 million (€77.5m) and set to grow further as farmers, businesses, and government see first-hand the multiple benefits that biogas delivers, according to ADBA.

“Biogas in Scotland is starting to take off in a big way, and we at ADBA believe it is really important to support the Scottish AD industry to keep growing and providing the Scottish people with green gas, electricity, transport fuel and fertiliser,” said Charlotte Morton, CEO at ADBA.

The Scottish AD industry is currently gearing up for 2021, when Scottish councils will be banned from sending any biodegradable waste to landfill.

“While 2021 might seem like a long way away, we all know how quickly four years can zoom by, and it’s important for the Scottish AD community to be fully prepared for the opportunities that 2021 and beyond will bring,” Morton concluded.