8 - Impact - from local to global

The ripple effect of a circular economy cannot be underestimated.

The ripple effect

Local business

To date, Circular Glasgow has engaged over 650 business representatitives through its activities. Since the launch of the initiative, several projects are underway. The full impact of Circular Glasgow is being independently evaluated by the University of Strathclyde with initial findings due to be captured during the course of 2019.

Local Government

Building on implemented pilot projects and with an ambition to become Scotland’s first circular city, the Leader of the City Government for Glasgow announced the development of a Circular Economy Route Map, expanding on the initial work undertaken in the Circular Glasgow report.

Scottish Cities and Regions

Circular Glasgow was the starting point for a wider programme of cities and regions work across Scotland, led and funded by Zero Waste Scotland in partnership with local chambers of commerce and other key local stakeholders.

The learnings and experience from Circular Glasgow have been adapted and developed to suit different cities and regions, and full programmes of regional activity are now underway in: Circular Tayside (Dundee, Perth & Angus); Circular North East (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire); and Circular Edinburgh.

National Government

Building on the experience of these cities, Scottish regional circular economy work continues to develop, and contributes to meeting some of the ambitions of the national government’s economic strategy and climate change proposals and policies, both of which cite the value of adopting circular economy principles. Scotland’s Circular Economy Strategy 2016 ‘Making Things Last’.

Global Recognition

In 2017, the Scottish Government won the Public Sector category at The Circulars for their work in placing the circular economy at the centre of its economic strategy.

The Circulars are awards hosted at the annual World Economic Forum meeting, highlighting the achievements of public sector organisations enabling development of circular economy activities. In 2019, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce initiative Circular Glasgow was shortlisted as a Public Sector finalist in a category ultimately won by the European Commission.