The Circular Economy
The circular economy is a model of production and consumption where materials never become waste and nature is regenerated. In a circular economy, the life cycle of products and materials is extended through sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishment, remanufacture, recycling, and composting.
In practice, it implies reducing waste to a minimum. When a product reaches the end of its life, its materials are kept within the economy wherever possible thanks to recycling. These can be productively used again and again, thereby creating further value. The circular economy tackles climate change and other global challenges, like biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution, by decoupling economic activity from the consumption of finite resources.
In Perth & Kinross, there is a commitment to ensuring economic gains are achieved by building a strong, circular economy across all key industry sectors, and as a result, in 2023 the area was awarded an A rating from the Carbon Disclosure Project, and recognised as one of 119 cities and local authorities across the globe that are taking bold leadership on environmental action and transparency.
Underpinned by a focus on renewable energy and mobility, and supported by world-leading businesses including The Binn Group and James Hutton Institute, the area's Economic Strategy looks toward a resilient, cyclical system that is good for business, people, and the environment.
An integral player in the Tay Cities Clean Growth Partnership, and with a mission to become one of Europe's most sustainable small cities, the area is primed to become a national leader in developing innovative and sustainable pathways for businesses to flourish responsibly.
The Green Capital Development Grant
The Green Capital Development Grant can offer up to £25,000 covering up to 50% of eligible costs. Project must be of minimum £10,000 (this equates to a minimum £5,000 match from the business) except for EV charging point applications.
This fund is available for Capital expenditures (CapEx) and can be used to acquire, upgrade, and maintain physical assets such as property, plants, buildings, technology, or equipment (excluding vehicles). Read about Wasted Degrees Brewery and their successful application, over on the blog.
Contact [email protected] for further details
Binn Group and Binn Ecopark
Building on the success of the Binn Group’s decades-long waste management business, Binn Eco Park is an established and growing circular economy-focused resource management centre.
The site currently includes two Material Reclamation Facilities (MRF) treating commercial, industrial and municipal waste, an anaerobic digestion facility, in-vessel and green-waste composting facilities, a large wood recycling complex, a new fridge and WEEE recycling facility and an 85,000 tonne 8MWe Waste to Energy facility under construction. The site is powered by its own private wire renewable (wind) energy system with plan to extend this with solar, battery and hydrogen capability.
Utilising the significant natural resources of hydro, wind and solar that Perth has to offer, Binn Eco Park is the flagship initiative in the area’s circular economy and clean technology opportunities and benefits from a well-established and growing supply chain and support network.
James Hutton Institute
A world-leading independent scientific research organisation, The Hutton works in collaboration with many organisations across the globe.
Their key objective is to find solutions for the challenges posed by the climate crises on the sustainability and resilience of crops, land, natural resources and communities. They do this through the development of transformative tools, interventions, products and land management practices.
A unique approach to research sees both work in labs, and also at landscape scale on local farms, and combines the natural and socio-economic sciences while considering the connections between crops, resources and people.