University of Northampton waste expert joins Scotland’s fight against throwaway culture

A waste expert from the University of Northampton has joined a Scottish Government panel set up to tackle plastic pollution.

Professor of Sustainable Wastes Management, Margaret Bates, will join experts from retail, the waste and chemical industries, the public sector and academia on the Environmental Charges and Other Measures panel, a group that will provide advice on dealing with disposable cups and plastic straws.

Margaret said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to be involved with the pioneering work that Scotland is doing, leading the transition to a circular economy for the UK.”

Environment Secretary, Roseanna Cunningham, said: “Scotland has demonstrated leadership in tackling plastic pollution. We were the first country in the UK to commit to introducing a deposit return scheme and we are currently consulting on proposals to ban the manufacture and sale of plastic-stemmed cotton buds, one of the items most commonly found on our beaches.

“But I want to go further, and the creation of our expert panel is an important step towards seriously addressing this issue in Scotland. The panel’s expertise and skills from across waste, legal, retail and public sectors as well providing a voice for young people and disabled people, will help us identify the bold actions we can take in Scotland to encourage long-term, sustainable changes in consumer and producer behaviour.”