What is the Resource Efficiency Pledge?
Developed on behalf of the Scottish Government by Zero Waste Scotland, the Resource Efficiency Pledge is
a recognition scheme for Scottish businesses. It forms an integrated part of the Resource Efficient Scotland
programme and encourages organisations to develop and implement a plan to improve efficiency and reduce
their energy, water and material waste.
Many companies realise that environmental protection is a very real and growing concern to consumers. In
fact, building a sustainable and socially responsible business is often viewed as not only the right thing to
do; it is also considered the smart thing to do, particularly when trying to gain competitive edge which
attracts an increasingly environmentally conscious market.
Why has the Resource Efficiency Pledge been introduced?
The “Resource Efficiency Pledge” has been developed to motivate and inspire year-on-year action and
tangible progress on resource efficiency across the Scottish business community.
In challenging economic times, resource efficiency is an opportunity for businesses to achieve environmental
improvements while also strengthening business resilience and cutting costs. In turn this has the potential
to contribute substantially towards national targets to reduce CO2 emissions.
We believe that businesses which are committed to tangible environmental improvements deserve to be
recognised. The Pledge offers a credible, nationally recognised accreditation which will help you differentiate
your business in an increasingly volatile and competitive market place.
The Pledge provides a platform for proactive businesses to gain recognition for their leadership and
continued commitment to sustainable growth. There are five levels of recognition available to participants.
These are Member, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. The scheme is also underpinned by a range of free
specialist services, including training and funding support, to ensure you accomplish your Pledge.
Who can make a Pledge?
The Pledge scheme is open to any Scottish business that wants to take action and demonstrate its
commitment to resource efficiency. Any individual making the Pledge should have express consent from the
company’s managing director or chief executive to do so.
How much time does it take to complete the Pledge?
The Pledge is a progressive scheme with opportunity to move through each recognition level each year. You
have twelve months from the date of submission in which to complete your Pledge actions.
What benefits does the Pledge offer your business?
All organisations can save money by using water, energy and raw materials more efficiently. Across
Scotland, we stand to save around £2.9 billion a year through simple changes like switching off equipment
when not in use and redesigning products and processes to cut costs at source. So there are potential
savings to be enjoyed in taking action.
The Pledge now offers an accreditation which provides credible market differentiation in an increasingly
competitive market place. In committing to and achieving their Pledge, your business will:

Receive a certificate to display in your premises to demonstrate your commitment to staff,
customers, suppliers and other stakeholders, including your local community;

Receive marketing collateral to use when promote your accreditation in your print and digital
communications;

Benefit from positive publicity via the Resource Efficient Scotland website and wider potential PR
where appropriate.

Be able to access free specialist guidance when selecting or compiling their Pledge actions

Have access to free specialist support, training and information about funding which might help you
realise or implement business improvements.

Be encouraged to progress through the Pledge scheme to boost business benefits and advance your
accreditation year-on-year; and

Additional exciting benefits are under development and will be announced later this year.
How does a business make a Pledge?
You can make your Pledge on the Resource Efficient Scotland website. The website takes you through some
simple steps to help you choose between three and six actions and create your Pledge. Our online Savings
Finder tool will help identify actions which are likely to realise the greatest savings for your business.
The Pledge is a flexible scheme which can be tailored to suit your own business needs. You can either
choose to tackle some of the optional actions we have listed under the categories of Business Processes,
Supply Chain and Staff Engagement; or you may wish to set your own Pledge actions. Indeed, you may
wish to select a combination of standard and bespoke actions. The choice is yours.
Find out more
Find out more at www.resourceefficientscotland.com. We are also on hand to help you set up your Pledge.
Simply call or email us, or why not use the online chat service, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.