The Green Streets of Glasgow

'Glasgow Recycles' is a new innovative environmental and social initiative which has just been launched. The project will make Glasgow city centre the first in the UK to offer a mixed recycling solution on its streets and will create employment for three unemployed residents of Glasgow. Fifteen Rescape™ recycling banks are being installed in prominent locations around the city to tackle city centre 'away from home waste'. The Rescape™ banks accept mixed recyclables - including plastic bottles, newspapers and cans, making it easier for consumers to recycle whilst 'on the go'! The Glasgow Recycles scheme will also see recruits undertake a year's tailored training programme with the opportunity for full-time employment and potential career progression. One trainee will help to raise public awareness of the campaign, whilst two other recruits will be based at the Glasgow City Council's Material Recovery Facility's plastics sorting line to monitor the levels of recycled plastic bottles throughout the duration of the initiative.

'Glasgow Recycles' involves five key partners - the Waste Aware Scotland campaign; Valpak Ltd; leading bottled water brand Volvic; Glasgow based social enterprise the Wise Group and Glasgow City Council.

Cllr. Ruth Simpson officially launches the new initiative with representatives of 'Glasgow Recycles' Pictured from left to right; Councillor Ruth Simpson; Andrew McCaffery (Director of Business Development for Valpak); Laurie Russell (CEO of Wise Group); Tommy McDonald (Assistant Director, Land and Environmental Protection Services, Glasgow City Council); Louise Weldrick (Danone)

Andrew McCaffery, Director of Business Development, Valpak and project leader said:

"'Glasgow Recycles' is an innovative example of what can be achieved when a leading brand owner takes action beyond its legal packaging obligation. It clearly demonstrates the significant benefits that can be gained through cross-sectoral partnership working to produce positive social, economic and environmental impacts. The project is already producing successful results and we are delighted to announce exclusively today, that one of the trainees based at Polmadie has in fact been offered a full-time position with construction company, Carronvale Homes."

Laurie Russell, Chief Executive of the Wise Group commented:

"The project will have a real impact on waste management and recycling rates in Glasgow city centre, and will allow the Wise Group to help unemployed people to get the training, work experience and support they need to find and keep a job."

David Graham, Strategic Development Director, Volvic addded:

"We are delighted to be part of this unique project. The social and environmental elements fit exactly with our business' sustainable development philosophy. We hope that 'Glasgow Recycles' will demonstrate that beyond its social and environmental value, there's a strong financial case for local authorities and private enterprise to embrace recycling schemes such as this."

For further information please email rescape@valpak.co.uk, or visit www.valpak.co.uk.