Reflections on Scottish Innovation Week

By Iain Gulland , Chief Executive, Zero Waste Scotland  

Scottish Innovation Week, which took place last week (22nd – 26th September), has been a powerful reminder that innovation is not just about new technologies - it’s about rethinking systems and designing an economy that works for people, planet, and prosperity.   

Our old, linear economic model has reached a tipping point where it no longer works. It depletes our resources, drives up costs, and leaves us exposed to global risks such as climate change and pollution, to where it's fast becoming a matter of national economic security.  

But by rewiring our economy with circularity at its core we can keep resources in use, creating place-based powerhouses, and building national resilience. This isn’t solely about the environment anymore. It's about the innovation spotlighted this week. It’s about investment, business growth, job creation, and a secure economy that's resource savvy.  

Scotland truly is a front-runner when it comes to innovation and we’re proud to be home to some of the most pioneering examples of circularity in action. 

From Glasgow-based EGG Lighting proving sustainability doesn’t have to come at a premium by remanufacturing lighting systems that cost up to 40% less than new ones; Argyll and Bute’s Renewable Parts breathing new life into old wind turbine components that would otherwise be scrapped, creating jobs in the process; or Edinburgh-born MiAlgae ’s biotech breakthrough turning whisky waste into Omega 3 rich microalgae - a vegan alternative to fish oil – combining two of Scotland’s most lucrative industries in a circular loop. 

These front running businesses are not just isolated successes - they’re proof that circular business models are already reshaping Scotland’s economy and that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand.  

This is because circularity is an economic imperative and the most practical way to build resilient, sustainable growth for Scotland’s future. It empowers businesses to lead on economic growth and social equity, making Scotland a global leader in sustainable transformation.  

We need to continue to embed circularity into the very fabric of our infrastructures, our supply chains, and our economic planning. This demands fresh thinking and cooperation across the board, exploring solutions that disrupt the old and yield new and exciting opportunities for business, communities, and citizens alike. 

By fostering collaboration, investing in circular solutions, and championing bold ideas, we can build an economy that is regenerative, resilient, and ready for the future.  

More circular stories can be found here.