The food waste debate and the Circular Economy will be the overarching themes at this year’s Scottish Resources Conference, which takes place in Glasgow on the 7^th and 8^th October. With both of these issues high on the political agenda, the event provides the perfect platform to engage, influence and network with policy makers and decision takers.

The two-day event will feature keynote speeches from Richard Lochhead MSP, Cabinet Secretary for the Environment and Rural Affairs, food waste campaigner and writer Tristram Stuart, and Tony Dunnage, waste and CO2 global programme lead at Unilever.

The conference will also hear from industry leaders including WWF Scotland’s chief executive Lang Banks, IBM Global Financing director John Muir, and Ian Gulland, chief executive of Zero Waste Scotland.

“We’ve got a great line-up of expert speakers and some hot topics for debate, so I’m looking forward to this opportunity to reflect on all we’ve achieved in the past year and to look forward to what comes next on the journey to a zero waste Scotland”

Addressing the global challenge of food waste and creating a truly sustainable food system will be the focus for the first morning, followed by afternoon breakout sessions on food waste recycling, reducing waste from the farm gate, food waste treatment and the market barriers for compost and digestate producers. Celebrity chef Tony Singh will also be making an appearance and will work with guests to prepare a healthy dish with food originally destined for disposal.

Tony Dunnage from Unilever will provide the keynote address on day two on how the multinational is leading on Circular Economy initiatives both globally and at a Scottish level. And with both Scotland and the European Commission due to publish Circular Economy strategies later this year, the programme features a panel debate on translating policy into practice and breakout sessions on putting design at the heart of the circular economy and building partnerships to increase re-use and repair.

Organised jointly by Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS) and the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM), the Scottish Resources Conference is now in its 14th year, and is Scotland’s foremost event for professionals involved in the resource management industry.

Iain Gulland, chief executive of Zero Waste Scotland, said: “Food waste and the circular economy are both high on the agenda this year, so it’s great to be able to highlight them at the conference. We’ve got a great line-up of expert speakers and some hot topics for debate, so I’m looking forward to this opportunity to reflect on all we’ve achieved in the past year and to look forward to what comes next on the journey to a zero waste Scotland.”

The event also plays host to the Scottish Resource Awards, which recognise the achievements being made in Scotland in sustainable waste and resource management. The winners will be announced at an Awards Dinner, with the presentation ceremony hosted by Scottish broadcaster and writer Sally Magnusson.

The 2015 awards categories, which are open for entries until 31 August, are:

• Best Public Sector Initiative Award
• Best Private Sector Initiative Award
• Best Community Sector Initiative Award sponsored by Valpak
• Outstanding Contribution Award sponsored by FCC
• Rising Star of the Year Award

For more information or to enter please email mark.norton@ciwm.co.uk