SCOTLAND is well on its way towards a zero waste nation.
That was the message from Roseanna Cunningham, SNP candidate for Perthshire South & Kinross-shire, as she toured Viridor’s industry-leading electric and electronic equipment facility in Perth today (26th April).
The Friarton Road site, with over 95 employees, is considered one of Europe’s leading specialist centres for the recycling of electronic equipment and gives new life to some 90 per cent of components arriving on site – from disused TVs and domestic appliances to electronic equipment ranging from kettles and toasters to PCs and games consoles.
Says a spokesperson: “The company, which is investing up to £800m in ‘next generation’ recycling and waste infrastructure across Scotland, recycled over 350,000 televisions at the site in the last year – a 60 per cent year-on-year increase as Scots upgraded for the digital switchover.
“Ms. Cunningham, Environment Minister in the Scottish Government, also witnessed how Viridor recycles over 230,000 fridges each year from 96 per cent of Scotland’s local authorities.”
Speaking with recycling operatives on site, Ms. Cunningham said:
“The SNP is committed to boosting recycling and diverting waste from landfill. Viridor’s key infrastructure is vital in helping companies, councils and communities in that task.
“Nearly one million tonnes of Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE) is discarded in the UK each year which indicates the scale of the problem.
“Here in Perth, we have part of the answer to that problem. With over 90 employees, Viridor’s site is one of the top facilities across Europe and securely deconstructs WEEE from across Scotland.
“The need to reduce, reuse and recycle is something we all have to take responsibility for. Working together – national government, local government, private companies and individuals – we can hit the ambitious and necessary targets that have been set.
“Last year, the SNP Government published Scotland’s first ever Zero Waste strategy and we are determined to build on a record which has seen big improvements in recycling rates and reductions in waste going to landfill.”
Commenting, Graeme Milne, commercial manager for Viridor, said:
“The SNP Government has introduced ambitious and visionary targets to deliver a zero waste Scotland focused on waste reduction, reuse, recycling and recovering value from what remains. In addition to investing £800m in Scottish ‘next generation’ green infrastructure, facilities such as Perth are key to translating that policy into practice.
“Roseanna Cunningham is right to point to the 2,000 jobs Scotland’s Zero Waste plan will deliver in the rapidly expanding sustainability sector. Here at Viridor we’re proud of our people and the role they play in operating our European state-of-the-art facility. Roseanna has a genuine passion for recycling, how it supports businesses and communities, and for the opportunities it creates.”
Notes for editors:
ELECTRICAL RECYCLING
- Opened in 2003, Viridor’s Perth facility is one of Scotland’s only dedicated Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) recycling facilities, working on behalf of producer compliance schemes covering 96 per cent of Scottish local authorities.
- The location is considered the first UK facility to employ the latest MeWa WEEE recycling technology and recycles 95 per cent of components from TVs, fridges and small domestic appliances.
- The facility recycled over 50,000 tonnes of electronic and electrical items in Scotland over the last two years including resources from 625,000 fridges alone.
- Viridor Perth delivers impressive results, including a 60 per cent year-on-year increase in recycling of televisions and small electrical items since the adoption of the WEEE directive in 1997.
- The facility recycles around 330,000 TVs, 230,000 fridges and around 10,000 tonnes of small domestic appliances such as irons, vacuum cleaners, lawn mowers, telephones and games consoles from across Scotland each year.
VIRIDOR
- Part of the FTSE 250 Pennon Group, Viridor is one of Scotland’s leading recycling, renewable energy and resource efficiency partners, working with 96 per cent of Scottish local authorities and some of the biggest names in Scottish business such as Scottish Power, RBS, BAE Systems and Coca Cola Enterprises.
- Operating one of the nation’s most advanced network of recycling and waste infrastructures, the company is investing up to £800m in ‘next generation’ green infrastructure to turn Scottish zero waste policy into practice.
MEDIA RELEASE posted by Viridor. You too can post media releases (aka press release) on allmediascotland.com. For more information, email here.
Contact: Martin Grey
Email: mgrey@viridor.co.uk
Website: http://www.viridor.co.uk
