Breaking Ground: Unravelling the Circular Economy Bill - A Deep Dive into Scotland’s Vision for a Sustainable Future
Sanitree was recently asked to participate in the stage 1 consultation for the Scottish Government’s Circular Economy Bill. Our very own Caroline, who works as our Stories and Reels Creator, represented Sanitree at the meeting of Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee. She has written this article to explain the process of the meeting and give us an insight into what the bill includes.
A circular economy is a model of production which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products for as long as possible. It extends the life of products and encourages collaboration and sharing between businesses. Circular economies are needed now more than ever, with climate change rapidly accelerating and environmental issues, such as air pollution, getting worse. Sanitree champions these values, from the material makeup of our pads to our networking ethos with other organisations.
The Scottish Parliament is currently in the process of legislative scrutiny of the Circular Economy Bill. This bill will introduce the publication of a circular economy strategy, develop circular economy targets, reduce waste, improve waste monitoring, ensure individual householders and businesses get rid of waste in the right way, and increase penalties for those who litter from their vehicles. Some of the aims are more relevant than others to Sanitree but we were excited to delve into the fine details of the bill and related content we were given.
The process left the email stage with a briefing call where our Scotland director, Frances, and myself, got to meet the other business representatives taking part in the consultation. We were guided through the details of how a bill progresses into becoming law, and they presented us with the the three questions that we would be advising upon.
The key challenges and opportunities faced in a circular business model allowed us to discuss the meaningful community that Sanitree has cultivated while discussing the use of the digital in networking. Funding, biodegradability knowledge and competition were areas we felt the committee would be keen to hear as challenges. The second question focussed on the environmental, social and economic benefits that our enterprise had gained through taking an innovative approach to sustainability. This allowed us to discuss the entangled nature of social and environmental benefits within Sanitree, we showed this as an example of the circular economy model working at its best. During this process of preparation, we combed the clauses and identified that section eight was relevant to our cause as it was to introduce ‘Charges for single-use items: creating a power to set a minimum charge for certain throwaway items’ which we identified concerns with regarding period dignity and empowerment in product choice.
Before the consultation itself, the last prep question focused on what else the Scottish Government could do in conjunction with its legislative, and non-legislative action. I highlighted the need for more specific guidance and the need to link this bill to other legislation, such as the Free Period Product Provision Bill. More centered on our mission I prepped comments on the inclusion of taboo topics in how the bill approaches waste, thinking about not just period product waste but disability and other products necessary for everyday life that may not fit the non-menstruators, and able-bodied waste producers. After a Zoom meeting to finalise these propositions with Frances, we were ready to join the meeting.
The committee makeup provided the opportunity to raise the points above formulated in our planning process to Monica Lennon and Douglas Lumsden as part of our breakout room. Lennon carried forward these thoughts into an open discussion about a culture leaning towards disposables, support around local supply chains, more specific guidance in the bill and the double-edged sword of being mission-driven trying to balance the benefits of customer attraction and competition. Other participators exceeded these points in the discussion about skilled work and the lowest process. During the discussion, Lumsden made a follow-up point on our thoughts on the prohibition of single-use products where more sustainable alternatives were available to which I replied that part of period dignity is the freedom to choose your products, especially for menstruators with endometriosis and similar conditions. A personal highlight was Monica Lennon saying she was a big fan of Sanitree and the work we do. Her Free Period Product Provision has led to period dignity for many menstruators in Scotland - something we champion as an organisation and were involved in, making this a real ‘pinch me moment’ for Sanitree.
This is an exciting and important development for Sanitree. To be asked to advise in such a process for the first time means not only will we be part of a process of tangible difference in Scotland but have been recognised as a part of a key group in the circular economy forging the way in Scotland. It was an honour to be part of the discussion and represent Sanitree.