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Zero Waste Scotland bids to cut carbon footprint with move to home-working



Working from home during the pandemic has led to a cut in carbon emissions at the body responsible for reducing Scotland’s environmental impact.

Zero Waste Scotland said more than two-thirds of its own emissions were produced by staff travelling to work.

It is now encouraging staff to work from home on a permanent basis, even once offices reopen following the coronavirus lockdown.

Chief executive Iain Gulland told staff the organisation should capitalise on the environmental gains made during the pandemic.

He told workers: “We take our own performance very seriously and our net-zero plan launched earlier this year sets out our commitment to go faster and harder at reducing our footprint.

“Clearly the onus is on Zero Waste Scotland to show leadership by embracing the best of the environmental benefits which have become apparent. This will be truly authentic – one of the four values we hold dear.

“I am making an offer to colleagues who wish to make working from home a permanent fixture – you can do this – in fact, I urge you to do this if you can. This is, I believe, aligned to our environmental ambitions and further demonstrates our leadership and pioneering spirit which will show others the path to follow.”

The body said initial feedback from its 165 staff had shown overwhelming support for the plan.

Workers will be offered help with furniture and expenses, as well as advice on insurance and changes in their tax liabilities.

The organisation said it accepts the change might not be feasible for some staff and alternative work places will continue to be made available.

Mr Gulland also pledged to maintain some face-to-face interactions across the organisation.

A number of other companies have also said they will encourage continued home-working, including Fujitsu, Twitter and Royal Bank of Scotland.



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