Zero waste and circular economy equalities evidence gaps

Tender description

Scotland is introducing a range of ambitious policies to reduce waste, increase resource efficiency, reuse and recycling. The impact assessment processes undertaken to date have shown that there is currently a shortage of evidence on the equalities and economic impacts of these policies. More research is needed to gather evidence to better understand the likely impacts of this range of policies on groups across Scotland. This research aims to fill the evidence gaps in relation to the equalities impacts of proposed zero waste and circular economy policies. The aim of this project is to fill the evidence gaps on the likely impacts and possible mitigations for proposed zero waste and circular economy policies. The research findings will be used by Scottish Government to undertake future impact assessments in relation to zero waste and circular economy policies. The aim of your report is to identify any items in scope that are relied upon by people with protected characteristics (or which are problematic for people in these categories to use), highlight particular stakeholders to engage with further, and provide an evidenced view on the suitability and availability of policy mitigations. The items that are in scope for this research are to be agreed with the successful tenderer at the start of the project. We believe the items to be in scope as a focus of this research include: packaging including, fresh fruit, vegetable and meat trays, ready meal trays and boxes, cans and other packaging in single-size portions; single-use cups and food containers; catering disposables, such as cutlery and plates; textiles and other items affected by the four-nations review of EPR; and any other categories policy is likely to pick up in the next few years such as problematic plastics to be investigated identified by the Plastics Pact The specific requirements for determining who is reliant on which disposable items are:1) identify what single-use products and other packaging (e.g. ready meals, small tins or multipacks) are required by people with protected characteristics, particularly older people and disabled people, but with consideration of other protected characteristics where necessary; 2) for each item identified, provide an evidence view on why and how these are relied upon .e.g. what is the specific function they provide to users? . Depending on the range of items identified, this could either be detailed, and include stakeholder views, or be higher level, giving us an indication of where to target stakeholder engagement; 3)for each item identified, provide an evidenced view on the suitability and availability of alternatives, covering points including the functionality, accessibility, and cost of alternatives compared to existing items; 4) Provide a list of most relevant stakeholders (including points of contact, if stakeholders have been approached during the contract) who would be best-placed to explore these issues further (and would be happy to do so); 5) Make an assessment of the cumulative impact of the policies in scope on access to items on which people with the relevant protected characteristics rely. E.g. Are certain people reliant on multiple items?