4 Steps Scotland Took to a More Sustainable Lifestyle

Scots are encouraged to reconsider their habits after a recent study revealed the alarming lack of recycling or reuse in their consumption. It’s time for an invigorating shift toward sustainability.

Zero Waste Scotland is pushing for companies to embrace the power of leasing rather than selling, transforming how we obtain and use cars, furniture, and appliances. 

This innovative approach could revolutionize our relationship with goods while reducing waste.

For a more sustainable future, people can take shorter trips for pleasure and work from home to reduce emissions. Additionally, people should adopt a minimalistic clothing lifestyle – buy fewer items of higher quality that will last longer.

Scotland’s government is taking a bold stance by challenging the norms of product design, aiming to revolutionize how we create products domestically and abroad.

A recent report reveals that only a meager 1.3% of resources made their way back into the economy in Scotland last year, forcing them to reconsider their approach to restoring valuable materials and conserving energy wherever possible.

Furthermore, Scotland sees a boost in the economy due to an influx of international goods sold and used within its borders. This measure strengthens Scotland’s financial outlook and promotes global growth through increased trade between countries.

Globally, the trend for sustainable living and reusing resources is gaining traction – with an average six times higher than Scotland. So it looks like a circular economy could be around the corner. 

Despite drawing comparisons to other European nations, Scotland stood apart with the lowest rate of circular resource reuse.

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Old Gearboxes

John Mackie began his career with a spanner and some grease, toiling away in Lanarkshire as an esteemed car mechanic. He gained much respect amongst the locals for his knack for fixing broken gearboxes like clockwork.

In his teenage years, he saw a world problem and sought a solution. As a result, he established an innovative company to repair items more economically than ever before.

Forty-five years ago, Mackie Transmission was motivated to help manufacturers and owners save. Now it stands as a vibrant symbol of Scotland’s growing commitment to environmental sustainability.

When car manufacturers, like Hyundai or Honda, encounter gearbox issues during a vehicle’s warranty period, they send it to an expert workshop in east Glasgow. Here each unit is carefully taken apart and given a thorough clean before being fixed up and ready for use again. 

Intending to slash over half of the cost, they strive to make costly gearboxes more accessible for everyone.

Lend, Don’t Buy

Scotland has a long and proud history of championing access to literature, having been one of the world’s first countries to adopt public lending libraries for books.

With growing consumer demand for access over ownership, businesses are increasingly offering leasing and lending options on a broader range of products. 

Major companies such as John Lewis are reimagining the traditional retail model, now offering innovative services designed to maximize convenience and satisfaction. From leasing clothes and furniture to provide a personalized shopping experience. 

The lending library movement offers a sustainable solution to the constant need for new toys as your little one grows and develops. 

No more time-consuming shopping trips or expensive purchases; instead, borrow from an ever-evolving selection of items that fit each stage in their childhood.

In Glasgow’s Kinning Park, tool “libraries” are popping up to help people get their projects done without purchasing expensive equipment that they may only need a few times. So grab those tools and take on your next project with ease. 

Circular Economy Explained

The Scottish government is leading the way towards a more sustainable future with its upcoming Circular Economy Bill, scheduled for 2023. This bill will help Scotland strive to reduce waste and embrace efficient use of resources in the years ahead.

Per the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, which advocates for resource reuse: “In our current economy, we take materials from the Earth, make products from them, and eventually throw them away as waste – the process is linear. In a circular economy, by contrast, we stop producing waste in the first place.”

In the next couple of years, initiatives are set to be put in motion towards making a greener future. For example, an extension for garden waste collections and deposit return schemes for single-use drinks containers will help promote sustainability. 

Furthermore, ministers have plans to create more efficient systems for collecting household rubbish. 

Eco-friendly changes are on the horizon. In just two years, we’ll be able to make a difference in our world by recycling textiles effectively, and collecting charges for paper coffee cups and teacups to promote reusing items instead of disposing of them after one use. 

When it comes time to bid farewell bio degradable waste, we won’t even need landfills.

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Scotland Carbon Footprint

Zero Waste Scotland reports on the impact of our nation’s activities on Mother Nature. 

By looking at multiple indicators, their study reveals how much strain we’re putting on natural resources and what needs to be done for us to reduce our environmental footprint going forward.

Scotland’s global footprint reaches far out of the country as goods are imported and exported regularly. 

To measure this, they look at what is brought into Scotland and analyze which resources go into creating these items to be sent overseas without ignoring domestic exportation. 

The report provides inspiring suggestions for taking on the challenge at an even greater level: 

• A circular food system
• Circular manufacturing
• The transport sector heading to renewable energy in lighter vehicles
• A more circular lifestyle would mean citizens reusing, repairing, donating and recycling
• Buying goods made closer to home
• Improved recycling and reuse of equipment
• More effort to make homes energy efficient

Photo: Clinical Advisor