News & Blog

Read the latest business news, blogs and thought leadership articles from our members, as well as updates on the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce's work in the city.

News & Blog

Changeworks Recycling to ‘clean up’ capital’s waste collections

Posted: 24th June 2019

24th June 2019 – Edinburgh – Edinburgh-based Changeworks Recycling has unveiled the UK’s first all-electric waste and recycling vehicle in a bid to ‘clean up’ the capital’s business waste collections.

Costing in the region of £80,000, the bespoke vehicle is 100% powered by renewable electricity and will operate throughout the Scottish Capital collecting waste and recyclable materials from businesses and retailers in the Essential Edinburgh BID area. Almost half, (43%) of the city centre business community will have their waste and recycling collected from the zero emission vehicle.

(L-R) Forbes Connor, Managing Director of Changeworks Recycling, Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Frank Ross and Roddy Smith, Essential Edinburgh’s Chief Executive

Changeworks Recycling will trial the all-electric powered vehicle for a period of six months before implementing a £1 million phased replacement programme across its 26 strong fleet, serving over 3000 businesses across central Scotland.

The multi award-winning company, that counts the Scottish Parliament, The Edinburgh Grand luxury serviced apartments, Fettes College and the Palace of Holyrood amongst its client base, is planning to have its entire fleet powered by renewable electricity by 2022 thereby eliminating carbon emissions and significantly improving air quality for residents and visitors.

Mike McConnell, Fleet Manager from Changeworks Recycling, explained: “It was important to us that we use a vehicle that is suitable for the narrow streets of Edinburgh yet large enough for us to minimise the number of return trips to our depot. It has taken over 18 months from design to delivery but it will be worth the wait.”

The launch has been welcomed by Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Frank Ross who said: “Edinburgh aims to go carbon neutral by 2030 and I commend Changeworks Recycling for joining us on this ambitious journey.  We can only achieve this by public and private sectors working together to achieve a change for good and this is a great example of a private company taking the lead.”

Forbes Connor, Managing Director of Changeworks Recycling, added: “Despite our existing fleet running entirely on biodiesel, it has always been our ambition to run a renewable powered electric fleet, and this is our first step in achieving this goal.”

Business Comment

Business Comment is the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce’s bi-monthly magazine. It provides insight on Edinburgh’s vibrant business community, with features on the city’s key sectors, interviews with leading figures and news on new business developments in the capital.
Read more here