July 2020
Price: £95 PLUS VAT
Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
***Full-scale policy conference taking place online***
This conference is bringing together key stakeholders and policymakers to examine next steps for waste and resources policy in Scotland.
Areas for discussion include:
- The potential impact of proposals in the delayed Circular Economy Bill on business, local communities and residents, local authorities and public bodies in Scotland
- Progress since the publication of the Food Waste Reduction Action Plan - and the role of Zero Waste Scotland and others in implementation
- Recommendations on single-use disposable beverage cups and addressing challenges for achieving long-term changes in business and consumer behaviour
- Preparing for the 20p deposit return scheme
Of course we expect discussion on the day to also focus on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on waste management, and the organisations and individuals providing and using waste management services.
Issues for consideration at the conference include:
- how the pandemic has impacted waste and recycling provision, and what can be learned for the future from the way operations and procedures have adapted
- support and implementation issues as for the sector and its workforce, in light of distancing and other public health measure, as household waste and recycling centres re-open
- changes in customer habits and priorities that emerged during the crisis - what aspects are likely to remain embedded, and what they mean for services, the nature of demand, and public attitudes to re-use and other aspects of the circular economy
- priorities for an economic recovery in Scotland that is green and sustainable
The discussion in detail:
- Next steps for the circular economy in Scotland - looking at the practicalities and impact on business, local communities and residents, local authorities and public bodies of measures that were proposed for the Circular Economy Bill - including:
- mandatory reporting of waste - with food and textiles identified as two potential industries to focus on first
- new requirements for local authorities on household collection services - moving away from the voluntary approach to the household recycling charter
- increased sanctions such as seizure of vehicles suspected of waste crime and fixed penalty notices for littering
- raising the single use carrier bag charge to 10p
- requiring public bodies to describe how they are supporting the circular economy during procurement
- The role of business in managing their environmental impact, including:
- going beyond compliance - getting businesses exceed environmental protection guidelines
- improving collaboration - between regulators and the private and public sectors to curb waste
- Progress since the publication of the Food Waste Reduction Action Plan - and the role of Zero Waste Scotland and others in its implementation
- Recommendations on single-use disposable beverage cups and addressing challenges for achieving long-term changes in business and consumer behaviour
- Preparing for the 20p deposit return scheme, as the DRS regulations are passed in the Scottish Parliament
Developments that are relevant to the discussion:
- The Circular Economy Bill no longer being progressed due to other legislative priorities relating to COVID-19, and the recent delay to the implementation of the Deposit Return Scheme
- Regulations for the DRS being laid in the Scottish Parliament
- The Scottish Environment Protection Agency expected to complete its series of sector plans by March 2021
- The delay of the ban on biodegradable municipal waste going to landfill from 2021 to 2025, and the role that the Scottish Landfill Tax (SLfT) could play in the transitional period to 2025
- Waste tourism - the Scottish Budget proposal for an increase in the SLfT to align with the rest of the UK
- Response from The Scottish Government to the first report from the Expert Panel on Environmental Charging and Other Measures (EPECOM) on single-use disposable beverage cups
- Food Waste Reduction Action Plan from the Government
The agenda:
- Scotland’s approach to Circular Economy
- Latest developments in moving towards circular economy objectives
- International case study: what can be learnt from the Zero Waste Cities programme?
- Priorities for encouraging re-use and reducing waste in Scotland
- Reducing food waste following the Action Plan
- Collaboration with private and public sectors to curb waste - going beyond compliance and tackling illegal activities
- Challenges for achieving long-term changes in behaviour
- Priorities for businesses and consumers in reducing waste - and preparations for the 20p Deposit Return Scheme
Policy officials attending:
Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders.
It’s certainly the case with this one. Places have been reserved by officials from The Scottish Government; Marine Scotland; the Welsh Government; the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs; the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; Defra and the Department for International Trade.
This is a full-scale conference taking place online***
- full, four-hour programme including comfort breaks - you’ll also get a full recording to refer back to
- information-rich discussion involving key policymakers and stakeholders
- conference materials provided in advance, including speaker biographies
- speakers presenting via webcam, accompanied by slides if they wish, using the Cisco WebEx professional online conference platform (easy for delegates - we’ll provide full details)
- opportunities for live delegate questions and comments with all speakers
- a recording of the addresses, all slides cleared by speakers, and further materials, is made available to all delegates afterwards as a permanent record of the proceedings
- delegates are able to add their own written comments and articles following the conference, to be distributed to all attendees and more widely
- networking too - there will be opportunities for delegates to e-meet and interact - we’ll tell you how!
Full information and guidance on how to take part will be sent to delegates before the conference
