A new interactive exhibition touring Scotland this summer hopes to get people thinking about our society’s “throwaway culture.”

Jointly organised by Zero Waste Scotland and Edinburgh Science, the “Consumed” exhibition will be on show in Edinburgh, Dundee and Glasgow over July and August, and gaims to raise awareness of both the impact of human consumption on the planet and what measures could be tacken to tackle it.

The free public exhibition will feature a series of displays and games, each of which will be housed in an empty shipping container.

Zero Waste Scotland chief executive Iain Gulland commented: “Four-fifths of Scotland’s carbon footprint comes from the products and materials we make, use, and throw away – often before we need to. That’s a huge and really worrying amount and makes it very clear that we need to rethink our relationship with ‘stuff’ if we’re serious about tackling climate change. 
 
“The Consumed exhibition is a great opportunity to raise awareness of that, and I would encourage everyone to visit.” 

Edinburgh Science CEO and director Simon Gage added: “Consumed is an interactive exhibition aimed at everyone, that shows how to make better choices without compromising on our quality of life. 
 
“It is a fantastic way to help people in Scotland understand how little shifts in the way we do things can make a big difference to the future health of our planet.” 

The exhibition follows the Scottish Government’s launch of public consultations on proposals for its Route Map to 2025 and Circular Economy Bill, both of which comprise part of the government’s strategy for delivering zero waste and a circular economy.

Upon the consultations’ launch in May, Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater wrote: “Scotland has made strong progress in reducing emissions in the waste and resources sector over the past 20 years, and we have taken significant strides in our efforts to tackle Scotland's throwaway culture and promote recycling.

“The Bill will increase the levers we have available to us and the Route Map sets out actions to accelerate progress within devolved competence, but some of the policy measures required to drive the transition to a fully circular economy are dependent upon UK Government action. We are working with the UK Government and other Devolved Administrations on some key measures, like reform of the packaging producer responsibility system, but it is vital the UK Government steps up to accelerate action.

“However, to cut our emissions significantly and meet our ambitious waste and recycling targets, we must accelerate action across society to reduce the demand for raw material in products and encourage reuse and repairs through responsible production and consumption, and recycle waste and energy to maximise the value of any waste that is generated.”

Consumed will be on show at the Mound in Edinburgh between 19 and 25 July, at the City Square in Dundee between 2 and 8 of August, and in George Square in Glasgow between 12 and 18 August.