Scotland was the first nation to have its own regulations and take decisive action on banning single-use plastics

Thanks to groaver for alerting me to this and noting, correctly, that you never hear any of this in the media. From Commercial Waste Quotes: Scotland has had relatively forward-thinking regulations since 1 January 2014, when the Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012 have been in force. It mandates all non-households to recycle specific materials and most food businesses to recycle their food waste. Current state (Since 2014): Businesses and organisations in Scotland, regardless of size, must recycle materials like plastic, metal, glass, paper, and cardboard. Since 2022, single-use plastics such as polystyrenes, cutlery, plates, stirrers, cups and lids, straws are banned. … Continue reading Scotland was the first nation to have its own regulations and take decisive action on banning single-use plastics

A family from Greenock having a culture-break in Edinburgh is not on a ‘staycation’ at ‘home’

In the Herald today: A tourist tax is set to take tens of millions out of the pockets of the one in four Scots who decide to holiday at home, leading to calls for local authorities to boycott it. Analysis indicates that if set at 5%, the minister-approved visitor levy would raise £142m if brought in across the nation but there has been a warning that it also acts as what has been described as a “stealth tax” on Scots. If you can afford accommodation prices in Edinburgh or other Scottish hotspots, you can afford the wee bit extra tourism … Continue reading A family from Greenock having a culture-break in Edinburgh is not on a ‘staycation’ at ‘home’

Food poverty – Only BBC Scotland reports Leeds University research and then distorts it for your harm

By Professor John Robertson So, new research out from Leeds University on BBC Reporting Scotland, to tell us First, all about the struggles of the above North Ayrshire mother. Why North Ayrshire? This: According to a new study, North Ayrshire is the area of Scotland where people are most likely to need help to put food on the table. BBC analysis of research from Leeds University and the consumer group Which? looked at 363 councils across the UK, assessing neighbourhoods on measures such as distance to large supermarkets, the number of families on free school meals and households in food … Continue reading Food poverty – Only BBC Scotland reports Leeds University research and then distorts it for your harm

Scottish recycling rate reaches all time high

By Professor John Robertson Thanks to Dottie for alerting me to this. From SEPA on 26 March 2024: Scottish recycling rate reaches all time high as Scottish households, businesses and public services recycle 62.3% of all waste in the latest data (2022) from Scotland’s environmental watchdog, SEPA.  The recycling rate increased 5.3% from the 57.0% rate in 2021 – reflecting economic recovery from the pandemic and an increase in the proportion of construction and demolition material recycled.  Scotland continues to reduce its reliance on landfill – with only 23.2% of all wastes ending up in landfill – an all-time low.  … Continue reading Scottish recycling rate reaches all time high