MSP calls for business support for recycling enterprise
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ABERDEENSHIRE MSP Gillian Martin has welcomed fresh funding for local social enterprise, Wood RecyclAbility, as international businesses offer their support in effort to raise £150,000 to support their plans to expand and offer more opportunities for adults with learning disabilities.
Wood RecyclAbility has been providing practical work experience and training for people with additional support needs for 22 years.
The social enterprise makes a range of products such as bird tables, planters and garden benches from the waste wood.
The Pitmedden based organisation has now received a £20,000 funding boost from CNOOC International as they look to purchase equipment to diversify their work by recycling rigid plastic and mattresses.
This comes after BP offered £1000 last month to support their work, along with a new contract secured with NHS Grampian to create 150 lockable boxes made from recycled wood.
Commenting, the Aberdeenshire East MSP said: “I am so excited by the work Wood RecyclAbility are doing locally and welcome the opportunity to see them grow as they look to help more people with additional support needs in our communities and recycle more locally.
“This new funding from both CNOOC International and BP will be transformational and I hope this will just be the start of funding for Wood RecyclAbility.
Now, Gillian Martin MSP has launched an appeal calling on more businesses and individuals to get behind Wood RecyclAbility and offer their financial support or volunteer their time.
Ms Martin continued: “I know this money will make a real and tangible difference to the social enterprise, but we still have more to do if they are to reach their ambition of raising £150,000.
“I want to appeal to businesses and individuals to add their support.
“Whether you can donate money or offer your time as a volunteer, Wood RecyclAbility would love to hear from you.
“As we move towards a more circular economy, we need to support initiatives which provide waste solutions.”
Since opening in 1997, the organisation has prevented over 30,000 tons of waste wood from going to landfill.
Operations Manager at Wood RecyclAbility Brian Reid said: “This is a fantastic start to our fund raising efforts, to enable us to recycle more rigid plastics and embark on mattress recycling.
“As a social enterprise we really appreciate the generosity given to us both in terms of time and funding from CNOOC International.
“We are also very fortunate to have Gillian as our local MSP as she has been a long term supporter of our organisation and she has helped open many doors for us.”
Related article: Recycling group celebrates another busy year
