The Resource Use Institute, founded in 1969, is a mutli-disciplinary college of independent consultants devoted to the sustainable management of physical resources. It lays great emphasis on holistic thinking, on integration between sectors of the economy including recycling of wastes, and on the preservation of cultural heritage.

The Resource Use Institute Ltd was founded in 1969 by Robert H. S. Robertson. RUI is a company limited by guarantee with no share capital. It is based in Highland Perthshire, and has widespread membership. The Institute’s objectives are:

> to collect information concerning the development of natural resources and to maintain a special library for this purpose;

> to carry out feasibility studies on industrial and regional natural resources;

> to select projects for detail study and assist in their development and innovation;

> to assist in general management, including the direction of research and development, during the innovative stages of new products and new industries in the Highlands or elsewhere;

> to teach the principles of raw materials development by the holding of seminars, publication of articles and other means;

> to offer facilities in the field of natural resource development, especially of mineral and organic industrial raw materials, to outside research workers;

> to maintain contacts with universities, technical colleges, research establishments and industry;

> to conduct the Institute in such a way that it could with only minor changes be assimilated into a university or pro-university set up in The Highlands;

> to provide as a service to established industry some functions of general management;

> to undertake, perform and carry on the various duties and kinds of business incidental thereto or connected therewith either gratuitously or otherwise.”

The Institute’s focus of innovation of new uses for natural resources has expanded to include research in a wide number of spheres. These include:

> Raw material development, especially industrial minerals;

> Mathematical chemistry;

> Financial reform – energy-based accounting (ECCO), the Resource Economics Proposition (REP), and the resource tax (UNITAX);

> Land use studies;

> Language – scientific Gaelic; BEST (Basic English for Scientists and Technologists).