Scottish First Minister opens Remploy WEEE re-use facility

The plant will be run by Remploy, the UK’s largest employer of disabled people. The plant is receiving 300-400 appliances per week from the electrical retailer Dixons'. The units come from a take-back on delivery service, with at least of 20% being refurbished for resale.

Ewan Reid of Remploy and the Scottish First Minister fit a refurbished drum to one of the recycled appliances

Workers at the plant fix and refurbish units that are suitable, but those which have reached the end of their useful life are stripped for parts and then recycled.

Mr McConnell said: “This new recycling unit is an excellent example of how sustainable use of our planet’s precious resources can benefit our communities, boost our economic growth and create job opportunities for all.”

Under the European Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive electrical retailers will be required to offer like-for-like free take-back on newly purchased goods. Remploy has also received smaller end of line appliances like kettles and vacuum cleaners.

Mr McConnell said: “On one hand it prevents white goods like cookers and washing machines adding to Scotland's abysmal record on landfill and makes the wasteful production of brand new goods unnecessary. On the other hand it offers people with disabilities the chance to put their talents to good use.”

The refurbished goods are sold in Remploy's own retail outlet on the High Street. The average price is around 70, which includes a three-month warranty. Remploy is hoping to target residents of Housing Associations and is also hoping to link up with an overseas charity.

Dean Fox, northern sales manager for the new service, said: “This is a brand new venture for Remploy and we are fortunate to have such a flexible and highly trained workforce in our factories that really can turn their hand to anything we give them. The numbers of appliances coming through the factory for recycling is constantly growing, but we are still only just keeping up with the number of resales we are making, which is fantastic news all round.”