Conference held to discuss tourist waste in Skye
14 November 2023
Broadford & Strath Community Company, as part of the Highland Community Waste Partnership, joined forces with Skye Connect to host Sustainable Skye - Smart Business Waste Solutions & Trade Waste Fair on 14 November at An Crubh, Isle of Skye.
The one day conference was attended by over 40 delegates representing small and large businesses in both the tourism and retail sectors and aimed to look at how to better reduce and recycle waste produced by the 750,000 tourists who visit each year and the 10,700 local residents who reside in Skye.
A panel discussion hosted by Radio Skye highlighted the challenges that businesses and organisations in Skye face regarding waste production and gave examples of initiatives these businesses have introduced to resolve the issues.
Laura Young, also known as Less Waste Laura, was keynote speaker on the day. Laura is an award winning climate activist, environmental scientist and ethical influencer.
Gut Feelings and Eolach also provided demonstrations to show how cooking seasonally with a reduced menu can be both appealing to customers and waste reducing.
A trade fair showcasing Skye businesses rounded off the day.
Amy Bentall, HCWP Community Waste Officer for Broadford & Strath Community Company, gave the following advice to businesses: " Just start something in your business, whether it's changing what you buy, or how you dispose of a thing. Start small because it can feel very overwhelming".
Broadford & Strath Community Company now plan to collate all the ideas and feedback generated from the event to plan some waste reduction initiatives within Skye.
Emma Bee, HCWP Community Waste Officer for Broadford & Strath Community Company, said: "Our next step is to work as an organisation, and to work with Skye Connect and the Highland Community Waste Partnership to see what ideas we can implement. If that is just one thing that was achieved from the event then that would be amazing".
Check out the video of the highlights of the day here.
