Welcome to The Network

In springtime, caring for our environment should be high on everyone’s priorities.  Responding to Climate Change, meeting Landfill Diversion Targets, pondering our individual and collective carbon and wider environmental footprints matters to us all.  Add to this heady mix our increasing need to consider energy security and whether we are making the best practical use of the resources around us and we can sometimes feel confused about mixed messages.  As we will soon be moving into the Scottish Parliament and Local Authority Elections campaign, the plethora of political parties diverse takes on these issues and manifesto promises may even make things worse!  Herein lies the real conundrum of sustainable development of course, balancing the ecological, economic and societal standpoints to best effect.

The Network News provides a welcome breath of fresh air and relief from these dilemmas.  This issue highlights the power of education as a tool for informing the public, assisting them in so many different ways to learn more about the environment and how we can look after it.  Remember ‘It’s Our Future'  

Particularly noteworthy in this issue are; news of LEEP Recycling launching a Business Park Trial promoting local recycling from small businesses and reducing waste transport miles at the same time, and the views of the Graeme Abel, Scottish Youth Parliament Transport, Environment & Rural Affairs Convener in ‘Focus On’. SEPA has published Data on Business Waste in 2004 together with estimates of construction waste.  This should prove invaluable in coming years by helping us to apply consumer pressure to reduce unnecessary packaging, encourage greater use of biodegradable materials and increase reuse of business and industrial materials in Scotland. 

In Policy & Legislation, my eye is drawn to the consultation on Transfrontier Shipment of Waste, as it is too easy for us to forget about wastes we cannot feasibly recycle in our own country.  Balancing the environmental benefits from recycling elsewhere with the costs of shipment and ensuring that processing is appropriate may not however, be as easy as it first seems. 

For business readers there are Top 10 Tips to Save Your Business Money as well as news of a decision by Perth and Kinross Council to support in principle an emergent energy from waste plant.  This is especially interesting because developments in Glenfarg are positively translating environmental theory into practice, with potential benefits for us all. 

On a lighter note, I personally recommend the Dr Bunhead show on fantastical feats of science as terrific entertainment for all ages.  Edinburgh City Council have selected an excellent way to launch their interactive Waste Aware Education Cabin from April 17.

The Network News always welcomes your comments and details of upcoming events so get in touch with them!

Prof Kevan Gartland

Dean of Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University
Chair of The Composting Association: Scotland and of The Biochemical Society Education Committee.