The Circular Tayside Charter launches to help organisations demonstrate their journey to becoming more circular and make significant carbon reductions while the eyes of the world are on Scotland during COP26.
The Charter will help businesses, charities, social enterprises and community organisations create a plan to develop deeper systems and processes to embed circularity in their organisation, in the structure and DNA of their operations and develop circular-first thinking in their teams.
The Charter will evidence that a business is committed to the circular economy, and help with progression through Bronze to Silver and to Gold levels of commitment
How does the Charter Work?
There are two compulsory commitments and four elective ones. The compulsory commitments must be met by all signatories to the Charter, and then at least one of the electives.
The three levels are bronze, silver and gold, with an exceptional platinum for any organisation that is Cradle-2-Cradle certified. The overall level awarded is equal to the lowest level achieved in one of the categories.
Every organisation is asked to commit to achieving a minimum of bronze level in the two compulsory categories and in one elective category. Once an organisation commits to a goal, they will set a self-directed timescale for completion and onward progression to the next category(ies).
The Charter covers:
· Ongoing Monitoring and Assessment (Compulsory)
· Staff Engagement (Compulsory)
· Supply Chain Engagement (Elective)
· Circular Product Design (Elective)
· Circular Business Model (Elective)
· Circular Office (Elective)
Demonstrating this commitment will help organisations stand out in a crowded supply chain market, help retain & attract staff by showing leadership and help develop stronger internal processes as organisations commit to working through the levels.
Iain Stirling, Founder at Arbikie Distillery said "At Arbikie Distillery we aim to be one of the world's most sustainable distilleries so the circular economy is embedded and essential to what we do. As a Tayside business being part of Circular Tayside helps us learn and share best practice with like-minded businesses looking to minimise their environmental impact."
Circular Tayside
Circular Tayside is delivered by Zero Waste Scotland, Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce and Perthshire Chamber of Commerce. Circular Tayside is an initiative that: Raises awareness of the circular economy, the role the local businesses have to play in it, and how they will benefit. Facilitates collaboration amongst the local business community to enable our circular economy to develop. Supports individual businesses as they begin to identify and implement new and innovative approaches to businesses that support a transition to a circular economy Brings together a group of Circular Tayside Ambassadors who will be leaders in their sectors and champions of the circular economy.
