Zero Waste Scotland Launches Initiative and Circular Economy Hotspot Event : Scotland Launches £1m Grants to Businesses with ‘Big Ideas’ to Cut Food Waste
In Scotland grants of up to £1 million are being made available to businesses with ‘big ideas’ about how to cut food waste and help them bring concepts to market.
Zero Waste Scotland made the call for Expressions of Interest at the close of the Circular Economy Hotspot, an international circular economy business event held from 30 October to 1 November in Glasgow.
The funding is supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Scottish Government.
ZWS noted estimates which suggest that the amount of food that could have been eaten but instead is thrown away by food service outlets is equivalent to 1 in 6 meals. Research indicates that up to 75% of food waste from the food service sector could be avoided and a staggering £166 million could be saved through food waste prevention in the hospitality and food services sector alone.
Grants of up to £1m are available for projects that will drive forward innovative, transformational, cost-effective and collaborative approaches to keeping food-based products in high value use, or to reducing waste in the food supply chain.
One exemplar food waste prevention project is Jaw Brew’s HardTack beer, which is made using leftover bread from Aulds bakery. The beer was included in the Taste Festival, which closed the Circular Economy Hotspot and showcased some of the food and drink businesses already making progress in cutting waste and turning what could have been thrown away into valuable products.
Iain Gulland, Chief Executive, Zero Waste Scotland, commented: “Cutting down on food waste isn’t just good for the planet, it’s good for business, too. The Circular Economy Hotspot has showcased some of Scotland’s best circular economy businesses to a global audience and we know there is huge economic potential for businesses with ideas to reduce food waste.
“We hope that by highlighting this funding we will encourage more SMEs to come forward with innovative ideas to cut waste and create new business opportunities. When it comes to food waste, there is no trade-off between doing the right thing for the climate and doing the right thing for your business.”
Small and medium-sized businesses are invited to submit an expression of interest HERE
Read More
Zero Waste Scotland Helps Island Brewer Recycle Bread into Beer
Bute Brew Co, a brewing firm based on the Isle of Bute, is recycling unsold loaves of bread donated from the local Co-operative store into a 5.1% alcohol craft beer.
ZWS Report: Tackling Food Waste Key to Fight Against Climate Change
A new report published from Zero Waste Scotland has called from the fight against climate change begins at home with reduced food waste and improved collection and energy recovery.
Scottish Water Rolls Out Water Fountains to Cut Plastic Waste
Scottish Water has unveiled the first of its new purpose built ‘Top up Taps’ outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh today in a bid to reduce waste and improve sustainability.
