Short-term, SAGES funded placement of up to 10 days duration.

Planet Sutherland is looking for a motivated student to assist them in a project on farm plastic, an abundance of which is generated on farms and crofts in the Sutherland region of the Highlands. The project will look at the financial and environmental impact of transporting this plastic waste to the central belt, or even further, for recycling. As well as Planet Sutherland, the project will be supported by the Scottish Crofters Federation, and will explore more environmentally friendly and cost effective alternatives to the current recycling processes in place. Several alternatives have been identified with SEPA, Zero Waste Scotland and the Highland Council, however a number of logistical barriers remain. Consequently, Planet Sutherland would like to work with an academic partner to undertake a feasibility assessment, with the aim of identifying a cost effective solution and also a business implementation plan, if a suitable solution is found. There is scope to define the design and details of the feasibility study with Planet Sutherland.

Possible feasibility studies include an evaluation of recycling cooperatives or schemes in the UK and Europe, a logistical analysis considering environmental impact and expense or an evaluation of alternative plastics for packaging, amongst others.

Planet Sutherland is a community group in Ardgay, Sutherland, who aim to encourage change for a sustainable and resilient future, responding to the climate crisis through individual change, community projects and business initiatives.

Please send a CV and covering letter to Rosanna Harvey-Crawford by 6th July.
r.e.harvey-crawford@ed.ac.uk

The successful candidate will be contacted by the 10th July.