Suddy ridiculous: Scottish Government proposals suggest BAN on washing machines

THIS will leave you in a spin Government chiefs are weighing up a “bonkers” plan to ban domestic washing machines.

Proposals set out by the Scottish Government could also see people forced to give up energy-gobbling white goods such as spin-dryers and dishwashers.

In a Scottish Government proposal entitled ‘Making Things Last’, mandarins argue people should “move away from product ownership” and “rather than actually owning appliances”, they should use washing machine and dishwasher providers to pay “per wash”.

Green types claim centralised launderettes using super-efficient washers would help the environment, especially as the average household does almost 400 loads of laundry each year, consuming about 13,500 gallons of water.

But the plans, set out in a baffling consultation document which was published last week, have been branded a “suddy outrage” by people fed up with a claimed Scottish Government “nanny state”.

Scottish Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone slammed the proposals and said: “It’s bad enough the Scottish Government wants to appoint every child a state guardian and tell landowners what to do with their land.

“Now it seems the Big Brother mentality is creeping into how people wash their clothes and secure toys for their children.

“The public would far rather see ministers focusing on issues that really matter, like growing the economy and making the streets safer, instead of nonsensical recommendations such as this.”

Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead commissioned the radical research, calling it a “moral necessity” which will “help conserve our finite resources, support jobs in our communities and improve our quality of life”.

In the foreword to the report he says: “For me, the attraction of a more circular approach to our economy is that it tackles a number of economic, environmental, social and moral imperatives.”

However, critics say the proposals, which also include plans to set up libraries for Do It Yourself tools and kids’ toys, could do more harm than good.

Do you agree with the proposals? Yes, it’s an interesting idea No, it’s ridiculous!Last night Eben Wilson of Tax Payers Scotland said: “The thought taxpayers are paying for civil servants and politicians to come up with these schemes is galling.

“It is simply not credible to think these ideas thought up in offices would improve not just people’s lives, but improve on the knowledge and experience of business.”

The Scottish Government’s energy saving vision is in step with EU plans to curb so called energy-sapping home appliances.

Products banned by Brussels include powerful vacuum cleaners, traditional light bulbs and coffee percolators.

Scottish Green Party Lothian MSP Alison Johnstone said: “The economic opportunity for Scotland to grow more businesses and create more jobs by reusing materials is something we’ve long championed.”

During its short life span the Scottish Government has repeatedly been accused of enforcing a nanny state on people.

It is currently attracting fierce criticism over its plan to appoint a named person for every child in Scotland.

Other plans to have been savaged included the 2009 proposals to make cyclists pay road tax.

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government said: “Making things last instead of throwing them away is good for the environment and for our finances.

“For example, it’s estimated that the average drill is used for only 13 minutes of its life and that there are about £2.5 billion worth of unused clothes in wardrobes across Scotland.

“That is why we want to find ways of keeping valuable products in high- value use for as long as possible.

“As part of our consultation, we are looking at community-based sharing schemes which may also help families on lower incomes access tools and toys as well as greater use of leasing schemes.”In my viewKenneth Watt, managing director of UK White GoodsThe Circular Economy is a great idea. It will help us use materials more efficiently, reduce climate emissions and create local jobs. As well as doing more on recycling, putting deposits on drinks cans and bottles, and encouraging new networks of repair businesses, one of the most interesting ideas is about sharing stuff more.

Most of us collect mountains of stuff. From that tile-cutter that you once needed to do a bathroom through to a pile of toys the kids have grown out of.

The average electric drill comes home from the shop and only gets used for 13 minutes in its whole lifetime. That’s just stupid. Somewhere like a tool library can make sure you’re getting the right equipment, in good condition.

You’ll be saving money, often getting the use of something for free, cutting clutter in your home and reducing the amount of materials needed to make the things we only use occasionally.

Dr Richard Dixon, director, Friends of the Earth ScotlandThe Circular Economy is a great idea. It will help us use materials more efficiently, reduce climate emissions and create local jobs. As well as doing more on recycling, putting deposits on drinks cans and bottles, and encouraging new networks of repair businesses, one of the most interesting ideas is about sharing stuff more.

Most of us collect mountains of stuff. From that tile-cutter that you once needed to do a bathroom through to a pile of toys the kids have grown out of.

The average electric drill comes home from the shop and only gets used for 13 minutes in its whole lifetime. That’s just stupid. Somewhere like a tool library can make sure you’re getting the right equipment, in good condition.

You’ll be saving money, often getting the use of something for free, cutting clutter in your home and reducing the amount of materials needed to make the things we only use occasionally.