A former chief executive of Aberdeen City Council has been chosen to spearhead a new Scottish Government drive to tackle plastic pollution.
Dame Sue Bruce, who led the local authority between 2008 and 2010, will become the chairwoman of a new “expert panel on environmental charges and other measures”.
The group is expected to draw up proposals over the next two years on ways to cut down on the use of disposable cups, plastic straws and other items which damage the environment.
Dame Sue, who is currently a commissioner at the Electoral Commission, admitted she had been “shocked” by recent media coverage of the impact of plastics on the world’s oceans.
“I am very much looking forward to working with the expert panel in this important and fascinating work,” she said.
“Not one of us can have failed to be shocked by the coverage in recent months of the state of plastic pollution on our land and in our seas.
“While these might be global issues, action can be taken by all of us much closer to home.
“The panel will be asking questions about what we can do together in Scotland – as consumers, communities, producers, retailers and government – to radically change our attitudes and our use of single-use items.”
The group will also include behavioural expert Professor Dame Theresa Marteau, economist Professor Liam Delaney, Mike Barry, the director of sustainable business at Marks & Spencer, Roger Kilburn from the biotech and chemical industry, Professor Margaret Bates from the waste industry and legal expert Professor Aileen McHarg.
Sepa chief executive Terry A’Hearn, Zero Waste Scotland chief executive Iain Gulland and disability adviser Professor Kate Sang will also sit on the group.
Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “Scotland has demonstrated leadership in tackling plastic pollution.
“We were the first country in the UK to commit to introducing a deposit return scheme and we are currently consulting on proposals to ban the manufacture and sale of plastic-stemmed cotton buds, one of the items most commonly found on our beaches.
“But I want to go further, and the creation of our expert panel is an important step towards seriously addressing this issue in Scotland.
“The panel’s expertise and skills from across waste, legal, retail and public sectors as well providing a voice for young people and disabled people, will help us identify the bold actions we can take in Scotland to encourage long-term, sustainable changes in consumer and producer behaviour.”