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Transform: Processing of White Goods, Highlands |
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Thursday, 21 June 2007 |
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ILM Highland was set up in 1994, led by the then Ross & Cromarty District Council. It is now a fully independent not-for-profit company with charitable status. ILM Highland has managed intermediate labour market (ILM) programmes including landscaping, insulation, and handyperson services for over 12 years. The Transform project allowed the organisation to expand into waste management, working closely with Highland Council to develop a facility for the processing of white goods.
Plan
The project idea
The Transform project proposed to develop an integrated facility for processing white goods. Discarded white goods would and collected at civic amenity sites, assessed for repair and either repaired and sold or stripped for recyclable materials. The project would provide training and employment opportunities as well as low-cost refurbished goods.
The key elements of the project were:
- development of a new facility;
- training and employment placements for unemployed individuals; and
- diversion from landfill of white goods in the Inner Moray Firth area.
The key objectives of this project were to establish ILM Highland as a waste management operator in the area, divert waste from landfill and create training and employment opportunities.
Project cost
The total projected cost of the project was £801,108 over a two year period. This sum included capital costs of £50,000 and revenue costs of £751,108.
The funding package outlined in the application was:
Highland Council
£270,000
New Deal
£10,000
Local Enterprise Company
£50,000
European sources
£270,000
ILM Highland (through sales)
£11,108
TWS Grant Scheme
£190,000
Total
£801,108
In practice, the income from New Deal exceeded this estimate.
The projected outputs
- To divert 1,900 tonnes of waste from landfill.
- To create six full-time jobs and 17 training places.
- Participation by 80,000 households and 204,523 beneficiaries.
Progress
Transform is now an established programme processing high levels (up to 30 tonnes per week) of waste white goods. White goods are either donated on site or set aside by civic amenity site staff.
The key activity has been the stripping of white goods to produce a variety of recyclable materials. A great deal of work has been done to identify markets for the materials produced.
A small number of white goods are refurbished for sale to people on benefits or low income and some of the parts are recycled to create planters and hanging baskets for the Alness in Bloom campaign. However, the majority of activity is in the stripping of white goods.
ILM Highland was also successful in receiving some additional funds from the TWS Grant Scheme to purchase capital equipment to increase the efficiency of its plastics reprocessing system.
41 trainees, referred by Jobcentre Plus or word of mouth, have moved through the 17 places provided. All trainees receive comprehensive induction training which is then followed up by training in a number of skills related to the processing activity.
Additionally, trainees get access to other training opportunities delivered by ILM Highland (but not related to this project) including forklift driving, scaffolding and other construction related training. This training adds considerable value to the training provided directly by the Transform project as construction related skills are in demand in the area and the acquisition of these skills, and in particular recognised construction industry certificates, considerably enhances the employability of trainees.
This project began at a reduced scale due to delays in receipt of Highland Council Strategic Waste Fund monies. As a result of this delay, ILM Highland recognised that the original targets could not be achieved and targets were subsequently reduced.
Outputs
- 1,002 tonnes of material has been diverted.
- 41 trainees have progressed through the 17 training places available.
- An average of 50% of the trainees have moved into employment, including one ex-offender.
- Placements have also been offered to Get Ready for Work clients referred via Careers Scotland.
Successes
- Relationship with the local authority
ILM Highland has had a close working relationship with departments of Highland Council for a number of years. Delivery of this project has extended this relationship to include personnel in the Technical Services Department, from civic amenity site staff to the department directorate. ILM Highland believes that the delivery of this project has had a positive impact on its credibility as a delivery organisation with the council.
- Development of infrastructure
ILM Highland has now developed a strong infrastructure and will continue to deliver the Transform programme without TWS Grant Scheme monies, although at a smaller scale.
Challenges
- Delay in the implementation of the WEEE Directive
The delays in the implementation of the WEEE Directive have meant that markets have not developed as anticipated.
- Transport logistics
As an organisation operating in a relatively remote area, ILM Highland faces significant costs in transporting recyclates for sale. Transport costs impact on the small profit margins available on these items.
Learning points
Investment in relationship building with Highland Council has been vital to the success of this project.
Review
Future
ILM Highland will continue to operate this project, although at a smaller scale. It has a two year SLA with Highland Council for the diversion of white goods from landfill and needs to continue to generate income from the sale of recyclates to meet the costs of the project. As an ILM organisation, ILM Highland accepts that there will always be a need for some grant funding to finance its training function.
This project has been a key step for ILM Highland in preparing for the WEEE Directive, which presents a significant opportunity for white goods projects.
Summary of impact
Weight of waste diverted
- 1,002 tonnes of waste has been diverted from landfill.
Household involvement
- Household involvement is not a key target of this project.
Social, economic or environmental benefits
- 41 trainees have moved through the 17 training places.
- ILM Highland provides an extensive training programme which is highly rated by trainees.
- The training provides skills and additional qualifications which are valuable in sectors such as construction where there is demand for labour.
- An average of 50% of the trainees have moved into work.
- Get Ready for Work placements are also provided through Careers Scotland. This allows ILM trainees to gain experience as mentors and pass on their knowledge to the young people.
- One trainee who was an ex-offender has now moved into employment with the Transform project.
- The project has supported another local project, Alness In Bloom through the provision of free planters.
- Low-income households purchase refurbished goods at a low cost.
Impact on the organisation
- ILM Highland has developed strong working relationships with key departments in Highland Council, and has developed its own learning about markets and transport logistics in relation to the delivery waste management projects.
- ILM Highland has working toward a more financial viable funding package for a number of years. The TWS Grant Scheme funding has been an important part of that development. The capacity of the organisation to earn income through SLAs and sale of materials has been enhanced, although ILM Highland does not expect to remove its reliance on grant funding completely.
Impact on the community sector infrastructure
- TWS Grant Scheme funding has contributed to the development of new waste management infrastructure. ILM Highland now has the capacity to divert an estimated 996 tonnes of waste from landfill per annum.
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