The Executive gave grant of
£19,536 (less than the £20,000 offered) to Grangemouth
Enterprises (S&M) Ltd towards providing training and
employment for new deal employees to recycle computers for
use by disadvantaged families.
The company is a registered charity and a company
limited by guarantee. It is SEPA registered and is a
recognised Environmental Body under the Landfill Tax Credit
Scheme. It was established in 1982 and has two main
objectives. Firstly, to alleviate poverty primarily through
the provision of employment and training opportunities to
people who might find it difficult to access employment in
more mainstream companies. Secondly, to improve the
physical environment by the reduction of waste going to
landfill and encouraging the reuse and recycling of local
resources to meet local needs.
By mid-2003 Grangemouth
Enterprises had 20 employees and 3 trainees on placements.
The two areas of activity are the reuse of furniture and
other household goods and the reuse and recycling of white
goods. Although largely self funded through sales and
contract work, the organisation also receives money through
other funding sources. The ICT Recycling and Training
Project was a new departure for the company. It did however
fit well with the waste minimisation role and will help to
consolidate the organisation's position as one that reuses
and recycles electrical and electronic goods.
The ICT Recycling and Training project was developed
in partnership with other local organisations and agencies
and had 5 primary objectives:
- The creation of local employment opportunities
- The provision of IT equipment to those unable to
afford it
- The reduction of IT equipment going to
landfill
- The provision of high quality IT training
- The supply of cheap IT equipment to the
voluntary/charitable sector in Falkirk
The project was initially undertaken on a one-year pilot
basis. Although there was some delay in preparation of the
premises, the project was fully established by mid-2003.
In 3 months, 9 tonnes of electronic waste had been diverted
from landfill by recycling and component extraction (in
conjunction with outside commercial organisations) or
through sales. Some 90% of donated equipment was from
organisations, though donations from the general public
were increasing.
The project provided employment for a supervisor, two
computer technicians, 5 trainees and part of the time
of four posts shared with the core business.
Funding for the pilot phase of the project came
from:
- Fresh Futures- New Opportunities Lottery
Funding
- EB Scotland- Landfill Tax Credit Scheme
- Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley
- Falkirk Council
- Scottish Executive - Sustainable Action Grant
Contact
Grangemouth Enterprises Ltd
10 Dundas Street
Grangemouth
Stirlingshire
FK3 8BX
Tel: 01324 474409
E-mail:
GEL@dundas10.fsnet.co.uk