A new collaboration invites community groups across the area to work together on waste management.
Initiated by Skye Beach Cleans, Rag Tag & Textile, Skye Climate Action, Lochalsh Reuse & Recycle Hub, and the Broadford and Strath Community Company, the Skye and Lochalsh Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle (R3) Collaboration has recently been formalised with support from the Skye and Lochalsh Council for Voluntary Organisations (SLCVO).
The collaboration recognises that geographic isolation and infrastructure constraints make it incredibly difficult to manage waste of all types effectively at a local level. Marine litter in particular has been highlighted in the recent Scottish Islands Plan as one of the most visible and persistent pressures on our island environments.
The alliance aims to develop a cohesive local approach to waste management and the circular economy.
Speaking on behalf of the Collaboration, Emma Dallorzo (Trustee of Rag Tag and Textile) said: “We know there are so many individuals and communities running brilliant waste reduction initiatives across Skye, Raasay and Lochalsh – from Men’s Sheds to charity shops, Skills Cafés to tool libraries and many more. We want to work with you and build on the work that you have already started. If you would like to get involved, please join us so we can build a lasting, shared network. Local provision of all types of waste management, alongside a strengthened circular economy, is not just a wish but an urgent need for our rural communities.”
Joining the Collaboration offers third-sector groups a unified platform to share knowledge, strengthen their collective voice and support one another. By expanding its membership, the Collaboration intends to advance four core shared priorities:
- Sharing Information and Resources
- A Collaborative Approach to Funding
- Providing Mutual Support
- Cross-Promotion of Services
The Collaboration will also advocate for circular economy policies and improvements to zero-waste infrastructure with local and national government, helping to ensure that the challenges and opportunities faced by island communities are represented in the delivery of Scotland’s Circular Economy and Waste Route Map to 2030.
Discover more about the Collaboration and apply to join by visiting the dedicated page on the SLCVO website www.slcvo.org.uk/third-sector-support/reduce-reuse-recycle-collaboration