Social Enterprise To Recycle Household Electical Appliances

10th February 2010

Social Enterprise awarded contract to recycle household waste electrical appliances for the Highlands.

Alness based social enterprise, ILM (Highland), has recently been successful in being awarded a two year contract to recycle all household waste electrical appliances. The contract will involve collecting appliances and other electrical equipment from Highland Council Recycling Centres across the Highlands, selecting with a view to maximising reuse, with the remainder going for reprocessing.

Under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) European directive producers now have the responsibility for WEEE. In order to do this, producers have grouped themselves into various compliance schemes which contract with local authorities to designate and use their Recycling Centres as designated collection facilities for householders to take their unwanted electrical and electronic equipment.

The Highland Council has agreed a contract with one of these compliance schemes (REPIC). In order to secure as much reuse as possible, the Council persuaded REPIC to consider ILM as a possible collection contractor given that over the past six years they have, through a Service Level Agreement, been collecting for reuse, refurbishment and recycling the majority of the white goods deposited at the Council's recycling centres.

Councillor John Laing, Chairman of TEC Services said: "The Council is very pleased that ILM have successfully secured the collection contract with REPIC. It is the only collection, reuse and recycling contract of its type in the UK, involving a partnership between the private and social enterprise sectors. It is anticipated that ILM will deal with around 2,000 tonnes a year, with collections being made from right across the Highland Council area.

Bill MacKenzie, Chairman of ILM, said: "This is an exciting opportunity for ILM and one we have been building up towards for the past six years. We have not only been able to keep jobs in the Highlands through this contract, but have developed an innovative partnership at the same time. On the back of this, we anticipate a significant increase in the amount of appliances that we repair for reuse. This will mean that the Highlands is dealing with its own waste, creating environmental benefits but at the same time gaining economic benefits for the area."

He added: "At a time when the Government is encouraging social enterprises to become self sustaining, ILM has shown that it can survive and flourish during difficult economic conditions and without any reliance whatsoever on grant support. The management team supported by the board, have gained this contract through a complex negotiation process. Thanks must also be given to the staff for their continued loyalty and commitment over the past few years."

ILM (Highland) is a social enterprise with charitable status. It delivers additional services, which include a handyperson and care and repair service for older people and those with a disability. It also delivers a cavity wall and loft insulation service. Electrical appliances which ILM refurbishes are available for sale at its on site shop, located at Unit 1G, Teaninich Industrial Estate, Alness 01349 884774.