A Taste of the Circular Economy in Scotland at the Milan EXPO

The sustainability successes and emerging engagement with the circular economy made by Scotland’s booming food and drink sector will be on show at the Milan EXPO on Friday 11^th September, at a special Zero Waste Scotland showcase which focuses on a range of exciting projects with the whisky industry.

The resource efficiency body, supported by the Scotch Whisky Association and Scotland Food & Drink,  hosted a seminar to present circular economy work with the food and drink sector, called ‘The Circular Economy: Delivering Sustainability for the Food and Drink Industry,’ . Guests saw a video featuring Celtic Renewables and Horizon Proteins, award-winning circular economy businesses which use by-products from the whisky industry to create new raw materials for industry.

The seminar showcased examples of cutting-edge innovation and sustainable practice in Scotland’s food and drinks sector, including its iconic Scotch whisky industry.  It also explored opportunities for collaboration between Scotland and Italy on this exciting agenda.  Zero Waste Scotland recently published a report which showed the circular economy presents up to an £803m opportunity for the beer-whisky and fish sector. The Scottish Government is currently consulting on how to develop a more circular economy in Scotland.

Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment, said: “I announced this week that Scotland’s food and drink industry is enjoying phenomenal success with record turnover of more than £14 billion. Scotland’s involvement with the Milan EXPO in our Year of Food and Drink is not just about showcasing the success and appeal of our food and drink industry in the here and now. It’s also about making sure that Scotland’s food and drink sector can continue to go from strength to strength as we work towards becoming a Good Food Nation and contributes to our efforts to use resources more efficiently and reduce climate changing emissions.

“That’s why sustainability is an important focus of Scotland’s presence at this prestigious international event, and why I’m pleased to be helping Zero Waste Scotland to highlight sustainability success stories in our food and drink sector.”

Iain Gulland, Chief Executive, Zero Waste Scotland said: “Scotland’s booming food and drink sector and the whisky industry in particular are extremely successful and are increasingly developing strong sustainability practices, and an interest in circular models, for both economic and environmental reasons.

“Zero Waste Scotland’s is delighted to be part of the Scotland showcase at the Milan EXPO, emphasising sustainability, to make sure that the industry has a successful future and to highlight the opportunities on offer form the circular economy.”

Click here to watch the video shown in Milan.