The Scottish Government has confirmed that retailers across Scotland have witnessed a massive reduction in the number of single use carrier bags handed out since the five pence charge came into effect a year ago. Data from major grocery retailers indicate a reduction in plastic bag use of around 80 per cent since 20 October 2014 – equivalent to at least 650 million fewer bags being handed out annually compared to ‘business as usual’ in previous year. It has resulted in funds of around £6.7 million being donated to good causes. Boots, one of Scotland’s Carrier Bag Commitment signatories, has reported an estimated 80 per cent reduction in carrier bag use in Scotland. Scotland’s Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead was at its store in Aberdeen to speak to shoppers about their experiences of the change so far. He said: “The five pence charge has been a major success with the number of single use bags down by a staggering 650 million, and with nearly £7 million raised for good causes. “Previously statistics showed that people in Scotland used more than 800 million new single-use carrier bags every single year – more per head than anywhere else in the UK. “I thank Scotland for embracing this policy and showing we’re serious about tackling litter, reducing waste and creating a cleaner, greener environment for everyone to enjoy. “It’s now becoming second nature to shoppers to reuse their carrier bags and hopefully to think more about our impact on the environment. I am confident that Scotland is going to go from strength to strength in its bid to tidy up our streets and beaches, where litter has been a highly visible problem in the past.” Iain Gulland, chief executive, Zero Waste Scotland, said: “With retailers in Scotland reporting a reduction of 80 per cent in the use of single use carrier bags, it’s evident that Scottish shoppers have embraced a new shopping habit. It’s not always easy to change our habits, but Scotland is proving it has this in the bag. “Many organisations have already agreed to donate money raised by the 5p charge to good causes, by signing up to Scotland’s Carrier Bag Commitment. Other retailers across the country are now being urged to follow suit.” Nationwide retailers that signed up to Scotland’s Carrier Bag Commitment – an agreement to disclose information on the charge, and donations made, to a central publicly available portal – are reporting that various charities up and down the country have also benefited from funds raised by the charge, with at least £6.7 million being donated to good causes. Morrisons, the Co-operative and Waitrose have indicated a reduction of 80 per cent, with Asda reporting a drop of 90 per cent, while Sainsburys have witnessed 100 per cent reduction of single use carrier bags as they no longer offer them to shoppers. Stephen Watkins, head of customer experience North & East Scotland at Boots UK, added: “We want to help our customers care for the environment while making a difference in their local communities. We’ve seen a really positive effect in our stores in Scotland since the introduction of the charge in 2014, with an estimated reduction of around 80 per cent in carrier bag usage. We’ve also been able to offer significant support to Macmillan Cancer Support and the important work that they do for those affected by cancer in Scotland. “From October 5 2015 we are donating the net proceeds of the sale of these bags to BBC Children In Need. Together with our customers we can help make a difference to our environment and support community projects across Scotland the rest of the UK.” Like this story? Please subscribe to our free weekly e-newsletter at the top of the page for more content like this. Related content: Source link

Browser does not support script. Contact us The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has today (Thursday 29 September) announced the 2017 RIBA Honorary Fellowships, which will be awarded to eighteen individuals from a diverse spectrum of backgrounds, including journalism, local government, art, architectural history and design. RIBA Honorary Fellowships are awarded annually to people who have made a particular contribution to architecture in its broadest sense. This includes its promotion, administration and outreach; and its role in building more sustainable communities and in the education of future generations. The 2017 RIBA Honorary Fellowships will be awarded to: Iwan Baan – Photographer Neil Baxter – Secretary and Treasurer, Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) Patricia Brown – Director of Central and outgoing Chair of LFA Martyn Evans – Deputy Chair, London Festival of Architecture Marcus Fairs – Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Dezeen Stephen Howlett – Chief Executive, Peabody Razia Iqbal – Journalist, BBC News Jeremy Paul Melvin – Architectural historian and curator Frédéric Migayrou – Chair, Bartlett Professor of Architecture, The Bartlett School of Architecture Lars Müller – Publisher Christine Murray – Editor-in-Chief, The Architects’ Journal and The Architectural Review Jo Negrini – Chief Executive, London Borough of Croydon Ian Pritchard – Secretary General, Architects’ Council of Europe Julian S. Robinson – Director of Estates, London School of Economics Dame Theresa Sackler – Dr Mortimer and Theresa Sackler Foundation Sonia Watson – CEO, Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust Nathalie Weadick – Director, Irish Architecture Foundation The lifetime honour allows recipients to use the initials Hon FRIBA after their name. The 2017 RIBA Honorary Fellowships will be presented at a special event at the RIBA, 66 Portland Place, London, W1 in early 2017. ENDS Notes to editors: 1. For further press information contact Callum Reilly in the RIBA press office: callum.reilly@riba.org 020 7307 3757 2. Honorary Fellowships are awarded by the RIBA each year to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the quality of architecture, the achievements of the profession and the aims and objectives of the RIBA. Any person who is not an architect may be nominated by RIBA members and elected as an Honorary Fellow. 3. The 2016 RIBA Honours Committee who selected the 2017 Fellows was chaired by RIBA President Jane Duncan with Sir Peter Cook, Neil Gillespie OBE, Victoria Thornton OBE and the 2015 Royal Gold Medallist Sheila O’Donnell. 4. The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is a global professional membership body that serves its members and society in order to deliver better buildings and places, stronger communities and a sustainable environment. www.architecture.com Follow us on Twitter for regular RIBA updates www.twitter.com/RIBA   Posted on Thursday 29th September 2016 Source link

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Category: Construction Industry Today | Subscribe to Construction Industry Today Feed Published Mon, Apr 4th 2016 Oxfordshire homebuilder David Wilson Homes has thrown its support behind the government’s campaign to boost the number of young people in apprenticeships as part of National Apprenticeship Week. Posted via Industry Today. Follow us on Twitter @IndustryToday Barratt Developments which includes David Wilson Homes and Barratt Homes has opened up positions for new apprentices in the region, including bricklayers and carpenters/joiners at its developments across Oxfordshire. Paul Crispin, managing director of David Wilson Homes, said its apprenticeships provide the perfect foundations for a career in the construction industry and it will be focussing on ensuring apprentices successfully complete their programmes and enter the industry as qualified tradespeople or trainee site managers in order to address the current skills shortage. “Nationally we have recruited 780 graduates, undergraduates, apprentices and trainees in the past three years of which 480 were apprentices,’’ he said. “By September 2016, we will have around 450 apprentices and trainees currently on a programme, which represents 7.5% of the direct workforce. “We want to invite anybody with an interest in construction to consider applying for one of our apprenticeships and help us build our award-winning new homes.“ Barratt Developments’ apprenticeship programme sees learners work on an assigned development in the region for part of their working week, as well as taking part in classroom-based learning at a local college.   Source link