Enva in £10m deal for Shore Recycling’s fridge plant

The site was closed in February 2023 after a large fire hit the plant. Emergency services attended and the body of a 46-year-old man, Slawomir Szmeichel, was found (see letsrecycle.com story).

Enva said its investment will enable the plant to reopen by Spring 2024. As part of the redevelopment programme Enva has committed to “attaining the highest possible recycling standards” which will include ensuring that the new facility is accredited to the independently audited WEEELABEX standard.

Shore Recycling bought the Perth facility, said to be the only plant in Scotland capable of recycling fridges, from Viridor in October 2020 (see letsrecycle.com story).

Viridor acquired the plant for £23 million in 2008 (see letsreycle.com story).

Commenting on the acquisition Enva’s director, Barry Phillips said: “This investment will provide vital fridge recycling capacity in Scotland, removing the need for expensive and unsustainable transportation of fridges down to England. Scotland will benefit from a high-class piece of recycling infrastructure capable of recycling all its waste fridges and playing a key role in the circular economy.”

Fridges

Enva explained in its statement confirming the acquisition that Scotland has been without any domestic fridge recycling capacity since Shore’s facility was taken out of commission in February.

The company, which recently agreed a deal itself to be sold to a US private equity company, said the plans to rebuild it have been “warmly welcomed by its former customers including REPIC and Valpak”.

Furthermore, the site’s reopening “will address the current fire safety risks and environmental challenges associated with transporting electrical waste from Scotland to other parts of the UK for treatment”.

Simon Howie, chairman of Shore Recycling, added: “The team are delighted that Enva has stepped in to rebuild the plant. This will hopefully ensure the plant returns to full capacity, creates significant jobs in the Perth locality, and provides an essential waste service in Scotland.”