The Scottish circular economy has reached a new milestone today, with 100 quality-certified re-use stores and three superstores now in operation.

Scottish Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham announced the landmark progress yesterday during a visit to Scotland’s first re-use hub, Blythswood Care in Dingwall.

According to Zero Waste Scotland, every year thousands of reusable items needlessly end up in landfill in Scotland, including around 125,000 sofas and 365,000 TVs.

By choosing to buy from or donate to re-use stores, people can help keep valuable products and materials in use for longer – saving money, supporting local communities and protecting the environment in the process.

Ms Cunningham said: “Re-use is one of the smartest ways in which we can keep products and materials out of landfill and in high-value use for longer. In Scotland, we are working towards ambitious targets on waste, with no more than 5% of all waste to go to landfill and 70% of waste recycled or prepared for reuse by 2025.

“Re-use and repair superstores like Blythswood Care’s here in the Highlands and ReStyle Argyll in Argyll are at the forefront of those ambitious by making it easier for people to donate and shop for second-hand items.”