Green Businesses thriving in East Dunbartonshire

2.05.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 9th May 2008

Jo has tipped green business to thrive in East Dunbartonshire

Green businesses like Bishopbriggs-based Environmental Reclamation Services are thriving in East Dunbartonshire, according to Jo Swinson.

During a visit to the company's headquarters on Westerhill Road today Jo questioned ERS bosses about the business, which specialises in decontaminating areas of polluted land to allow redevelopment.

Commenting after the visit, she said:

"Environmental Reclamation Services is a local business success story and a great example of the kind of modern, green company that can thrive in East Dunbartonshire. The company has expanded rapidly, with a tenfold turnover increase in the past five years and an expansion in the workforce from 6 to 40 employees. In the current drive to improve environmental standards, the marketability of the knowledge and expertise at ERS, both at home and abroad, is likely to keep rising.

"Much of ERS' work involves preparing contaminated areas of brownfield land for housing developments. As the need for more affordable housing continues, renewing areas of disused land for development is becoming increasingly important. The lack of private and social house building in the last decade has resulted in many first time buyers struggling to get on to the housing ladder. Bringing brownfield sites back into use is an essential part of any responsible housing strategy."

ERS Director Andrew Mackenzie added:

"Scotland is developing a real and detailed understanding of the redevelopment of contaminated land which is enabling to put our own house in order, but ultimately will lead to the economic benefit desired from the export of innovative skills, techniques and products".

In 2007, ERS was the winner of industry publication Brownfield Briefing's award for 'Best Chemical Treatment', for a project carried out at Summerford Park in Falkirk.

Related Link:

ERS Remediation