Mr Golden, who led the Circular Economy Programme for Zero Waste Scotland prior to being elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2016, commended the Scottish Government on its 2016 ‘Making Things Last’ report but said that more work needed to be done to reap the full benefits of a circular economy strategy. He also said that an improved understanding of the sources and streams of waste would make it easier to reduce levels of waste.
Golden was speaking at the first ADBA National Conference dedicated solely to the Scottish anaerobic digestion (AD) industry, reflecting the industry’s recent strong growth in Scotland. There are now over 40 operational AD plants spread across Scotland, from the Scottish Borders to the Western Isles, with more than half of these plants commissioned within the last three years. The Scottish AD market is now worth £66 million and set to grow further as farmers, businesses and government see first-hand the multiple benefits that biogas delivers.
The principal theme of the conference is getting the already growing Scottish AD industry ready for 2021, when Scottish councils will be banned from sending any biodegradable waste to landfill. The conference features speakers from government, farmers, universities, water companies, AD operators and developers, equipment suppliers and manufacturers and others on the policies, regulations, financial support and innovations that are required to deliver a further step change in the industry’s potential in Scotland.
“Biogas in Scotland is starting to take off in a big way, and we at ADBA believe it is really important to support the Scottish AD industry to keep growing and providing the Scottish people with green gas, electricity, transport fuel and fertiliser” said ADBA Chief Executive Charlotte Morton in her welcome address. “While 2021 might seem like a long way away, we all know how quickly four years can zoom by, and it’s important for the Scottish AD community to be fully prepared for the opportunities that 2021 and beyond will bring.”
ADBA’s annual UK AD & Biogas trade show will join forces with the World Biogas Association’s World Biogas Expo 2017 in July to create UK AD & Biogas and World Biogas Expo 2017.
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