Zero Waste Scotland is seeking a digital tool to help businesses demonstrate the commercial value of circular economy practices and strengthen their case for investment. Zero Waste Scotland, the public body responsible for supporting Scotland’s transition to a circular economy, is sponsoring the challenge to help businesses demonstrate the commercial benefits of reducing waste and keeping materials in use for longer. (Zero Waste Scotland, CivTech)
The challenge, part of the Scottish Government’s CivTech accelerator, has a maximum contract value of £650,000 excluding VAT. Companies and individuals worldwide can apply, with proposals due through Public Contracts Scotland by noon on Tuesday 20 October.
The tool would help businesses explain benefits that can be difficult to capture in conventional assessments, including supply chain resilience, resource security, customer retention and reduced exposure to market shocks.
Zero Waste Scotland wants an intuitive, evidence-based solution that brings these factors into business and investment decisions, helping companies make a clearer commercial case to investors and lenders.
Helen Lavery, Business Support Manager at Zero Waste Scotland, said:
“The shift to a more circular economy presents a huge opportunity for Scottish businesses to create value, strengthen resilience, and stay competitive. Zero Waste Scotland’s aim is to make the commercial benefits clearer to help businesses and investors turn this potential into action.
“Through this Challenge, we’re seeking innovative technologies that can accelerate the pace of circularity for people, planet, and prosperity.”
The £650,000 ceiling covers development across the life of the project, including the exploration and accelerator stages. Funding for continued development beyond the accelerator is not guaranteed.
Offering a business perspective, Sam Chapman, director of Kenoteq, which developed the low-carbon K-BRIQ alternative to traditional brick, said:
“The challenge is that the commercial benefits are not always straightforward to demonstrate, particularly when you are asking people to look beyond the short term. You often have to explain a completely different business case and help investors understand why the longer-term value matters.”
The circular economy challenge is one of six in CivTech Round 12, backed by £5.7 million. Other challenges include improving NHS transport, initially focused on renal services, and helping social housing providers prevent the effects of fuel poverty on residents.
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Selected applicants will enter the exploration stage in January 2027, with those progressing to the accelerator beginning in March.
