The PRN money was made available by its only stakeholder – the British Glass Recycling Company, which arranges the purchase and processing of waste glass packaging for United Glass.
The plant in Alloa, which could originally recycle 50,000 tonnes of glass cullet will be able to achieve a capacity double that, although according to United Glass it realistically aims to recycle around 75,000 tonnes a year.
The project introduced a complete rebuild and automation of the plant increasing the output of furnace ready recycled glass.
In order to meet with the demands of its clients within the drinks and food trade as well as to achieve increasing output, United Glass says it is essential to further reduce contaminant residues and to ensure colour standards are maintained. Its new automated process will therefore incorporate crushing and screening equipment to produce a more consistent particle size and a system which automatically detects and removes ceramic contaminants.
John Corbing of United Glass said: “We're trying to expand schemes with our suppliers to promote more glass collection in Scotland as over the past few years glass collection in Scotland has not really reached above the 50,000 tonne a year mark.”
The new processing plant will also feature a new visitor centre and education centre to help with what the firm said “communicate the benefits of turning packaging waste into new bottles and jars”. It was officially opened by Member of the Scottish Parliament Richard Simpson.
Dr Simpson said: “I welcome this initiative and investment which shows United Glass's confidence in developing further recycling throughout Scotland as well as confidence in UK manufacturing and Alloa in particular.”
United Glass managing director, Steve Hammond said: “We have worked hard with local authorities and other interested parties to develop a colour separated glass collection system in Scotland.”
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