Cash injection for waste recycling social enterprise

AN innovative Sheffield-based social enterprise that specialises in waste plastic collection has attracted a £55,000 funding package from Resource Efficiency Yorkshire (REY).

The investment in Reclaim, which is part of a programme to help the region cut landfill tax, reduce CO2 emissions and boost employment, is a significant boost to the social enterprises’ £130,000 expansion project.

Reclaim specialises in waste plastic collection and sorting services for businesses and local authorities in Yorkshire and Humber.

The materials it collects are sorted and baled to such high standards that they are used by re-processors throughout the UK.

Big names in the plastic recycling and packaging sectors such as Recoup, Jayplas, Closed Loop London and Nampak are among Reclaim’s customers.

Its expansion means that Yorkshire will reduce its CO2 emissions by 3,000 tonnes a year. Employment and training opportunities have also been improved for workers in the region.

Darren Fitzpatrick of Reclaim said that the team was currently diverting 4,000 tonnes of waste plastic from landfill a year.

“The new baler has allowed us to expand our capacity and employ new members of staff,” he said.

“It is an economic and environmental success story. We have grown by 30% in the last 12 months. The support REY has given, has allowed us to prove that social enterprises can compete in the commercial market.

“Our business is growing, serving its community and helping to protect the environment. It is investment that will deliver long-term benefits to Yorkshire and Humber.”

Steve Ogden, project manager for REY, said: “Reclaim’s growth is proving the business case for high quality sorting and separation services.

“Supplying high quality re-covered plastics to reprocessors is crucial for maintaining markets and contributing to a low carbon economy, especially in the current economic climate.”

REY is a not-for-profit business funding by regional development agency Yorkshire Forward and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).