New recycling hub inspired by Moray Waste Busters aims to boost Nairn's circular economy

PLANS to develop a new recycling hub could be “potentially transformative” in Nairn, according to a local councillor.

Highland Council have announced the start of a tendering process for a feasibility study for a Reuse, Repurpose and Recycle project which will be located within the Nairn waste recycling centre.

The initiative draws inspiration from the success of Moray Waste Busters (MWB), a charity and social enterprise based in Forres that has been very successful since their inception in 2002.

Chairman of the council’s Nairnshire area committee, Councillor Michael Green (pictured), said: “It’s a fabulous day – it’s us delivering on the circular economy, delivering on green jobs and the net zero target.

“It’s really important we do this and I think this could really be transformative in Nairn and the wider Nairnshire area.

“The feasibility study will look at Reuse, Repair and Renewal which draws inspiration from Waste Busters in Forres.

“Waste Busters have told me that they are now employing 22 people, and they had a profit every year for the past 12.

“They are growing at a 30 per cent-plus rate a year.

“They are a charity but they are also a real commercial success.

“It will be a two-part study, first looking at the options to recreate an enhanced recycling facility in Nairn drawing from MWB’s experience.

“The second part, if this model works in Nairn, will look at ways of exporting it to other suitable sites in the Highlands and roll it out there.

“This is an exciting proposal for Nairn and could play an important role in ensuring that items are reused until the end of their useful life, decrease manufacturing needs and ultimately significantly reduce the amount of material deposited into landfills”.

MWB was first set up in 2002 and was run by volunteers.

The charity receives donations of items which would otherwise go to landfill.

It then refurbishes them and sells them on for affordable prices.

Last year they celebrated selling one million items.

The opening of the tendering process for the feasibility study was announced earlier in March.

The feasibility study is being co-funded by Highland Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

The invitation to tender can be found on the Public Contracts Scotland website.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.