Potential funding streams to exploit opportunities within the circular economy will be explored when business leaders gather for two briefings in Tayside this month.
Circular Tayside was launched in May in a bid to raise awareness of the growing re-use economy, which aims to reduce waste by diverting items such as used plastic bottles away from landfill and into a secondary use.
The local project will help support companies in the Tayside area to upskill in order to capitalise on opportunities arising in the region.
Attendees at the Chamber of Commerce run sessions in Dundee on June 21 and Perth on June 27 will also be briefed about grant aid of up to £1 million per project available to SME companies.
“The current linear business model – take, make, dispose – will lead to rising costs, supply chain disruptions and uncertainty for businesses in Tayside,” Alison Henderson, chief executive of Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce said,
“I encourage all local business managers to come along and find out more about this exciting initiative and to access the free support and grant funding that’s available to help them future-proof their business.”
Perthshire Chamber of Commerce chief executive Vicki Unite said the briefings were an opportunity for local business leaders to hear from other firms that were already making brass from what other people may consider muck.
She said: “These breakfasts are a great opportunity for local firms to hear first-hand from other Scottish businesses that are already enjoying the benefits of circular business models, including businesses turning food and agricultural waste into new profit streams, manufacturers that are developing new business models to ensure long-term growth, and innovative SMEs that are finding new market opportunities.”
Circular Tayside feeds into Zero Waste Scotland’s nationwide circular economy programme, which is supported by the £18m Circular Economy Investment Fund and Circular Economy Business Support Service.
The initiative is part of the European-funded Resource Efficient Circular Economy Accelerator Programme, which is expected to invest £27m in circular economy projects in Scotland by December 2019.
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