Zero Waste Scotland has Established a New Sustainable Fund of 2 Million Pounds
The Scottish Government and Zero Waste Scotland have established a new $2 million fund to help reduce the environmental impact of textiles.
The Circular Textiles Fund will be distributed directly to enterprises in Scotland's textile industry, from fashion to upholstery.
Textiles have a very high environmental impact; according to the current Carbon Metric study from Zero Waste Scotland, textiles, which make up only 4% of garbage by weight, account for 32% of the carbon footprint of Scotland's household waste.
The Circular Textiles Fund will fund creative ideas with the potential to contribute to Scotland's circular economy, in which materials are valued and made to last. Individual firms or groups of businesses can submit applications to the fund to meet the objectives, including reducing demand for new textiles, such as clothing and textile rental, reuse, and repair services, employing sustainable manufacturing processes, reducing in-life environmental impacts, such as mitigating the pollution from washing textiles and making them easier to reuse and repair and maximising the amount of textile waste that is captured and recycled.
Iain Gulland, Chief Executive of Zero Waste Scotland, said:
“As a nation, we need to rethink the way we make, buy, and use products and take action to consume more responsibly. Businesses have a key role in facilitating that shift, helping customers make more sustainable purchasing decisions while also contributing to a greener economy.
“With textiles responsible for such a significant chunk of the carbon footprint of Scotland’s household waste, it’s vital that we move away from a throwaway approach to products and materials and make things last instead. The Circular Textiles Fund is a fantastic opportunity for businesses to be part of the solution.”
This declaration was made shortly after the Scottish Government published two public consultations regarding suggestions for a Circular Economy Bill and a Road Map to 2025. The consultations are a component of the strategic plans to achieve Scotland's zero waste and circular economy goals.
Lorna Slater, Circular Economy Minister, said:
“Every material that is wasted comes at a cost to our planet, but it’s clear that textiles have a disproportionate environmental impact.
“From fashion to furniture, there are enormous opportunities for businesses with creative ideas to help address that problem. That's why we are creating the £2 million Circular Textiles Fund, which will help businesses in Scotland turn their proposals into reality.
“Alongside our Circular Economy Bill, this will help grow the number of sustainable businesses in Scotland and help prevent textiles from ending up in landfill or incineration.”
Rebekah Chapman, the Production Technician at Kalopsia Collective, said:
“The circular economy is a big deal for Kalopsia, and we have worked hard to minimise every aspect of our environmental impact. For us, it’s a passion, and it’s one we know is shared by many working in the Scottish textiles sector.
“We’re delighted to help launch the Circular Textiles Fund and look forward to seeing more businesses doing things differently for the future of people and the planet.”
Source: Zero Waste Scotland
