Frequently asked questions
Please read the answers to commonly asked questions below to see if these will answer your query:
Business Energy Scotland
Q.I’m looking for funding to improve energy efficiency in my business.
A.From 1 April 2022 the service will be known as Business Energy Scotland delivered by the Energy Saving Trust. Scottish organisations will continue to receive the same free, impartial and expert advice and support.
Funding
Q. I am interested in applying for the Circular Economy Investment Fund, please can I speak to someone for advice on my application/eligibility?
A. If you have a specific enquiry about the Circular Economy Investment Fund, please email circulareconomy@zerowastescotland.org.uk.
Q. I am looking for funding?
A. All of the funding that Zero Waste Scotland currently has available can be found on the Funding page.There is also a searchable database on the Gov.UK website that can help you find publicly-funded sources of assistance you may be eligible to apply for at https://www.gov.uk/business-finance-support-finder. Alternatively, you can try www.funding.scot.
Litter and Flytipping
Q. I’d like to report flytipping
A.Please report via dumb dumpers. This information is passed to the relevant local authority for actioning. We do not have any further involvement on the uplift of fly tipped materials and cannot provide an update on the status of uplift from the local authority.
If the flytipping includes materials you think are hazardous you should report this to SEPA.
Resources/Education
Q. We’d like to invite someone from Zero Waste Scotland to speak at/attend our event?
A. Please email details of the event, including event name, date, location, and your ask of Zero Waste Scotland to the events team at events@zerowastescotland.org.uk
Q. I am undertaking a dissertation, please can I speak to someone at Zero Waste Scotland to take part in a study or interview?
A. Due to the high volume of requests we receive and our colleagues’ workload we are unable to assist.
Reducing Carbon/Achieving Net Zero
Q. How can I assess the carbon impact of my business?
A. Please visit Carbon Emissions Calculators for tools to assist.
Data Request
Q. Please can I get statistics/data on i.e. Flytipping incidents, conversation factors, volumes of waste?
A.SEPA have a Waste Sites and Capacity Tool that will show landfills that are not operational as well as estimated date for stopping landfill. Alternatively, you may want to speak to individual Local Authorities as councils have responsibility for maintaining closed landfill sites.
All Zero Waste Scotland figures are available on the Carbon Metrics Publications webpage.
We have a range of publications and research studies on litter and flytipping available to the public on our Litter Knowledge Network
Finance
Q. I’d like to speak to your Accounts Payable department.
A. Please contact the team on AccountsPayable@zerowastescotland.org.uk
Third Party endorsements
Q. Please can you share out project/event/webpage on your website?
A. We only share content when strategically aligned in a formal partnership. We are not able to promote third party services, businesses or events on request.
Deposit Return Scheme (DRS)
Q. How will the DRS scheme affect my business?
A. You can find out more about Scotland’s deposit return scheme at depositreturn.scot. Zero Waste Scotland’s involvement is now limited to managing the service that assesses applications from retailers that wish to be exempt from becoming return points.
For information about Scotland’s deposit return scheme and how it will work in practice Circularity Scotland, as the scheme administrator, is now best placed to answer enquiries.
For any questions about regulations contact SEPA.
Single-use Plastics Ban - fully effective from 12 August 22
From 12 August 2022, the single-use plastic items listed below are fully banned in Scotland unless an exemption applies (e.g. single-use plastic straws).