THE Scotch whisky industry has been handed a boost in its quest to access high quality recycled glass thanks to the opening of a £25 million facility in Newhouse.
The Lanarkshire recycling plant, built by Viridor, promises to reduce the Scottish economy’s reliance on imported materials for whisky and beverage bottles.
One of only three such facilities in the world, it will recycle glass from 17 Scottish local authorities and recover up to 97 per cent of input materials.
It will achieve up to 99 per cent product purity, meaning it exceeds the quality requirements of Scotch whisky packaging up and including the premium level.
The 70,000 square foot facility, developed on a designated “waste crime” site, has created up to 70 full-time jobs. It is said to have boosted government warm homes objectives through a partnership with Superglass, the Stirling-based insulation provider.
Julie Hesketh-Laird, director of operational and technical affairs at the Scotch Whisky Association, said: “The opening of Newhouse assists the Scotch Whisky industry by increasing the availability of high quality recycled glass. As glass accounts for the vast majority of the packaging of Scotch we welcome this supply chain innovation at Newhouse which advances glass recycling. Such developments help the industry in its commitment to sustainability and delivering on its environmental strategy.”
Viridor chief executive Ian McAulay said: “Building on existing network and over £357 million of investment in Scotland’s green economy over the last 24 months, Newhouse brings the UK’s most advanced glass recycling centre home to the central belt and places Scotland at the leading edge of global glass recycling.
"A vital key in unlocking Scottish Government circular economy policy, this latest investment will not only help drive glass recycling and the sustainability of Scotch whisky, but will be a real boost for a Lanarkshire economy fast becoming an important base for Scotland’s green sectors.”
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