£1.9m Moray project to create jobs and cut waste

Grays Recycling Services Ltd (GRS) has been working with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to secure a £500,000 contribution to the project from the Scottish Government’s Low Carbon Manufacturing Challenge Fund.

The fund is administered by HIE partner, Scottish Enterprise, to help companies involved in manufacturing to grow through developing low carbon products, processes, or services.

GRS is expanding its production premises in Spey Bay through building construction and specialist recycling equipment.

Originally set up as a skip hire farm diversification project in 2005, the company expanded into managing scrap metals and providing bin collection services for general waste, recycling, and glass.

It now provides a complete waste management service for clients including construction firms, households, and some of Moray’s many large food and drink companies, helping them to reduce their carbon footprints by recycling more and avoiding landfill.

An average of 90% of materials arriving at GRS are recycled or diverted to waste energy sources. This latest expansion project forms part of the company’s plans to increase that to 100% and reduce the landfill output to zero.

Operations will be incorporated into one complete system under one roof, eliminating the need to move materials between locations. This, together with new high-tech equipment will enable material to be processed quicker and more efficiently, while reducing GRS’s own carbon footprint.

The new jobs created will increase the company’s workforce to 38 full time equivalent positions, all of which are paid above the Real Living Wage.

The UK’s waste management industry has grown by 6.6% over the past decade. The market is now worth £9.3bn and predicted to continue to grow, domestically and globally, in line with the drive to net zero.

Small Business Minister Richard Lochhead said:

“Ensuring a circular approach to our economy is vital to tackling climate change and I am delighted that Gray’s Recycling will receive £500,000 through the Low Carbon Manufacturing Challenge Fund. 

“Fitting neatly into the aims of the Fund, their project will not only support their own approach to circularity but helps other businesses by giving them options to implement more effective waste management processes.” 

Keira Orme, business development manager with HIE in Moray, said:

“This is a very welcome project by Gray’s Recycling. The company’s services can help any company in any sector to reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill. We have been working with the company for several years now, during which time it has expanded into a valuable rural employer with a key role to play in our region’s transition to net zero.

“We are delighted the company has been successful in securing a contribution from the Low Carbon Manufacturing Challenge Fund and look forward to continuing to work with them as the project develops.”

Robert Gray, finance director at Gray’s Recycling Services, said:

“We are delighted to have secured the support of Scottish Enterprise alongside the continued assistance of Highlands and Islands Enterprise. This support allows us to proceed with our expansion project to meet our overall goal of transition to net zero and whilst providing sustainable employment to the local area.”