Green Business

West Lothian Council recognises the economic potential from green jobs. The recently updated joint economic strategy for West Lothian "Building an Economy for the Knowledge Age", which was developed by the Council, Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothian, West Lothian Chamber of Commerce and partners, contains the commitment to promote West Lothian as the natural location for Scotland's Environmental Business Park.

 

With 3 million customers and 90% of Scotland's business community within a 60 minute radius, West Lothian, situated at the centre of Scotland, is the natural location for Scotland?s green jobs hub. The Council has developed an excellent reputation for developing green business related initiatives including an imaginative joint venture partnership with Tarmac Recycling. The partnership was established to develop a Recycling Centre focusing on the reprocessing of roads, construction materials (approx 100,000 tonnes per annum) and green waste materials, from grounds maintenance operations and the domestic waste stream (approximately 12,000 tonnes per annum).

 

The aims of the organisation were to encourage waste minimisation and to offer a source of cost effective recycled materials as an alternative to virgin quarried materials. West Lothian Council now specifies within their construction contracts that all materials suitable for recycling shall be taken to the centre for reprocessing and, where appropriate, specifies recycled materials as first choice for construction projects. The business which has now been established for a number of years not only contributes to the Councils recycling targets, but also contributes financially through lower disposal fees and a substantial trading surplus.

 

Businesses of all shapes and sizes can reap the bottom line benefits of managing their waste more effectively. Green Jobs are a win-win for everyone, the consumer and the producer and ultimately helps in the Scotland-wide efforts to divert the volume of waste going to landfill sites.