News archive - Week ending 7th December 2007

Scotland's Environmentally-Friendly Businesses

The winners of this year's Vision in Business for the Environment of Scotland (VIBES) Awards have been announced. Competition was particularly stiff this year.

- Large company (more than 250 employees) category - Total E&P UK Ltd: an oil and gas company based in St Fergus, Aberdeenshire.

- Medium company category (50-250 employees) - Emtelle UK Ltd: provider of ducted network and blown fibre solutions based in Hawick, in the Borders.

- Small company category (fewer than 50 staff) - Cream O'Galloway Dairy: a
family-run, luxury ice-cream manufacturer from Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Galloway.

In addition, ten companies are awarded finalist prizes while two companies,
REpower and Solway Recycling, were awarded special prizes for outstanding service.

Speedier Decisions on Renewable Energy Projects
Speaking at the Green Energy Awards, Energy Minister, Jim Mather, has promised that efforts will be made to speed up decision making on renewable energy developments. The Scottish Government is working with the industry to set a target of nine months for the determination of new energy applications where there is no public inquiry.
Mather said, "Ministers are dealing with applications without unnecessary delay but we must continue to look for improvements in our consents procedures. Working with the industry, our aim is to make decisions more quickly by improving the quality of applications, introducing more certainty about turnaround times and ensuring that more robust procedures are implemented. I believe we can work to an objective of having applications being determined within nine months where there is no public inquiry and I will be discussing with the Forum for Renewable Energy."
Applications are subject to comment by planning authorities (who have up to four months to comment) environmental bodies and other bodies such as aviation authorities who will be affected by a development. The application is advertised in the local area and public representations are fully taken into account. The current average time for determining applications is two years. A number of other innovations are being introduced to improve the quality of applications, including new scoping guidance which will give applicants a clear steer on the issues they have to tackle in their application before it is submitted.

Food Waste Recycling Trial

Households across Inverclyde are to take part in a trial food waste recycling scheme. The Scottish Government has awarded Inverclyde Council more than £250,000 to participate in a pilot project which will provide residents with kitchen caddies, containers and biodegradable liners which they will use to store residual food waste.
Boxes will be collected from the kerbside of over 5,000 homes on a weekly basis during the 12-month project, which is aimed at cutting the 9,800 tonnes of food waste the council currently sends to landfill. With 541 tonnes expected to be recycled, it will also reduce the council's landfill taxes and penalties.