Circular economy is a keystone to ensuring a sustainable development approach, for reducing emissions and reducing waste to landfill. CFI undertook a unique study assessing the applications and carbon savings from Midlothian residents recycling their household waste. The study was funded through the University of Edinburgh Data Platforms research programme. Key findings included:
- 94% of recyclates collected by the council are successfully recycled;
- over 15 companies make use of the Midlothian recycled waste in new products and manufacturing, such as using recycled glass in special filters for waste water industry, for aquaria and aquatic life support systems in Scotland and worldwide.
- significant energy and carbon savings were made by collecting waste for recycling
- the energy saved each year by Midlothian households recycling their waste was found to be equivalent to powering the energy for over 7,000 homes or recharging 5 billion smart phones.
