Bathgate MP praises role of company in delivering national environmental goals
MP Kirsteen Sullivan has praised the role of local innovation in delivering national environmental goals following a visit to TOMRA's UK hub in Bathgate.
TOMRA, a global leader in reverse vending technology, hosted the Bathgate and Linlithgow MP at their Scottish storage and distribution centre, where she was welcomed by John Lee, TOMRA's Vice-President for Public Affairs UK and Ireland.
The visit provided an in-depth look at TOMRA's multi-million-pound investment in the UK, including live demonstrations of reverse vending machines (RVMs) built for retailers of all sizes.
Founded in Norway in 1972, TOMRA operates over 105,000 RVMs across more than 60 markets, collecting over 46 billion beverage containers each year.
Their proven systems across Europe consistently achieve recycling return rates of 92% to 98%, offering a powerful solution to resource recovery and waste reduction.
Kirsteen said: 'It's incredibly inspiring to see a global sustainability leader like TOMRA investing right here in Bathgate. The scale of their impact and ambition is matched by the strategic role this facility plays in the UK's journey towards Net Zero.
'Deposit Return Schemes are one of the most practical and effective tools we have to move towards a circular economy - helping individuals, businesses and governments to treat waste as a resource.
'Seeing the technology up close makes clear how transformative this system could be for communities across the UK.'
John Lee, TOMRA's Vice-President for Public Affairs UK and Ireland, added: 'We were delighted to welcome Kirsteen to our distribution hub in Bathgate.
'The support of Members of Parliament is vital if DRS is to become a reality in 2027. Maintaining our presence in Bathgate will ensure we can provide an excellent service to our customers across the country and give us a base for the technical and support jobs which will be created in Scotland.'
The UK Government has committed to launching a consistent, UK-wide DRS by October 2027, with a single deposit level across Scotland, England and Northern Ireland.
TOMRA's Bathgate operations are well-positioned to help make that vision a reality by creating local jobs to support a greener, more sustainable future.
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