Food waste and circular economy on Scottish Resources agenda

The Scottish Resources Conference, to be held next week (7-8 October), will seek to address the dual issues of food waste and the circular economy in Scotland.

Titled ‘Feeding the planet, feeding Scotland’s economy’, the conference will spend its first day (7 October) focusing on food waste, with panels addressing recycling, innovative biowaste solutions and Scottish industry’s role in reducing food waste.

The second day (8 October) will then switch attentions to the circular economy in Scotland and abroad. Policy, design, remanufacturing and reuse will all be discussed in talks.

Richard Lochhead, Scottish Environment Secretary, will give the first day’s keynote address, presenting the latest government thinking on the key issues and opportunities ahead. The Scottish Government last month launched a public consultation surrounding the creation of a circular economy in Scotland.

Food waste campaigner Tristram Stuart will also be speaking on the first morning before taking part in a debate about how a sustainable food system can be created in Scotland. Other contributors to the debate will include Lindsay Boswell, FareShare Chief Executive and Richard Swannell, Director of Sustainable Food Systems at the Waste & Resources Action Programme.

The second day’s keynote will be a discussion of European ambitions for the circular economy presented by Kestutis Sadauskas, the European Commission’s Director for the Green Economy.

Held at the Glasgow Hilton, the event is being organised jointly by the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) and Zero Waste Scotland.

‘Global scandal’ of food waste to be addressed

Iain Gulland, Chief Executive, Zero Waste Scotland said: “With a topical, thought-provoking agenda and an outstanding line-up of speakers, such as Richard Lochhead, Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, I’m really excited about this year’s Scottish Resources Conference. Focusing on how we tackle the global scandal of food waste, and how we grow the circular economy, this event is once again setting the pace.

“We have a rare opportunity to hear a senior member of the European Union team looking at the forthcoming circular economy package speak in Scotland, about the early thoughts from the recent circular economy consultation and the challenges and opportunities for business and the economy.”

Charlie Devine, Chair of the CIWM Scotland Centre, said: “No professional in a relevant field will want to miss this year’s Scottish Resources Conference, with its must-see speakers, its focus on issues that matter to the waste, resource management, and circular economy sectors, and its opportunities to hear the speakers and thought-leaders who shape the direction of our work.

“Also important are the terrific networking opportunities this event provides for our sectors.”

Read more about the Scottish Resources Conference programme.