Highland Community Waste Partnership
3 years have now passed for the Highland Community Waste Partnership and as they exit TNL Climate Action Funding we are bidding a very fond farewell to the project on 31st March. The partnership in 2022 took on the challenge of tackling waste and consumption throughout Highland through a partnership of community organisations facilitated by Keep Scotland Beautiful.
The Highland Community Waste Partnership over the last 3 years at a grassroots level across Highland carried out an incredible 729 events reaching over 12,000 people. Taking on the challenge of our disposable culture and systemic issues around waste and consumption partners have provided grassroots solutions and approaches towards change. From composting to solutions to single waste packaging to innovative trials in waste solutions from glass to sheep’s wool the partnership has challenged the norms.
Over the last few weeks celebration events have been held in all of the community partner areas which members of our team have been delighted to attend. A final meet up of the partners was held in Inverness which I recently attended where we discussed both the success of the partnership, legacy and the future for waste and consumption in Highland. As officers working on the project are now wrapping up with final reports, case studies and handing over of projects we will be doing all that we can here at the Highlands & Islands Climate Hub to support that legacy and pass on the learning to new communities in tackling waste and consumption. The Highland Repair Directory is one project which will now sit with the Hub and we will maintain and promote it to encourage greater uptake of repair and we have additional plans through 2025 to pick up the legacy of the project.
Final meet-up held in March 2025 of Highland Community Waste Partners and supporters.
While there is a future and legacy for the work achieved under the Highland Community Waste Partnership, in these final days as funding exists now is a point to say a very wholesome thank you to the partners and officers who have carried out the work over the last 3 years. Challenging the norms and behaviour in taking climate action is not easy, anyone who is involved in our sector will attest to but the partners have done so with creativity, mindfulness enthusiasm and collaboratively. That collaboration has really set the partnership apart in how we can tackle these big issues at a grassroots level in our rural areas.
Thank you to Keep Scotland Beautiful for facilitating the partnership and a huge thank you, well done and best wishes for the future to firstly the officers who are moving onto new roles and secondly to the community organisations who took part as partners, all of whom are our members and we look forward to working with in the future.
Lochaber Environmental Group
Broadford & Strath Community Development Company
Lairg & District Learning Centre
Thurso Community Development Trust
Transition Black Isle
Highland Good Food Partnership
Lochbroom & Ullapool Community Trust
