140 jobs created in multi-million pound Motherwell DRS project

Up to 140 jobs are being created in Motherwell in a multi-million-pound project that will see the area play a pivotal role in Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS).

As Circularity Scotland’s official DRS logistics service partner, Biffa is investing more than £80m to develop the infrastructure needed to deliver the scheme, which includes the transformation of the former parcel depot on the Eurocentral industrial park into a state-of-the-art recycling centre.

Producers responsible for more than 95 per cent of containers placed on the market in Scotland have now registered to take part in the scheme and SEPA the scheme’s regulator has confirmed registration will remain open to enable all producers to sign up in time for the launch of the Deposit Return Scheme on 16 August, 2023.

Following the launch of DRS, the Motherwell site will form part of a network of Biffa-run facilities across Scotland that will count, sort and bale the billions of plastic, glass and aluminium drinks containers collected through the scheme each year by the waste management company.

The material will then be recycled back into brand new bottles and cans.

“We are working closely with Circularity Scotland and progressing well with the exciting and ambitious plans for the launch of DRS in Scotland, which will see new recycling infrastructure developed across the country," said Gavin Money, Biffa’s DRS Operations Director.

“The Motherwell site will play a key role as a regional collection and counting hub, handling some of the billions of plastic, glass and metal drinks containers collected each year from across Scotland.”

David Harris, Circularity Scotland Chief Executive, added: “This is another important milestone in preparing for the launch of the Deposit Return Scheme in August. The DRS will transform how Scotland recycles, preventing billions of bottles and cans each year from ending up as waste. This is a ground-breaking initiative that can act as a catalyst for the green economy in Scotland, creating jobs and supporting local economies while also helping protect our environment for generations to come.”