Farne Salmon Leads the Way in Recycling and Sustainability
When it comes to sustainable business recycling for Net Zero, Farne Salmon and Trout Ltd are leading the way! While one of the region’s largest employers, they believe the benefits they are seeing can be matched by local firms of all sizes.
Farne Salmon and Trout Ltd has been based in Duns since 1982, where it started trading with six people. It now employs over 700 people and is home to one of the biggest smoked salmon facilities in Europe.
From Small Beginnings to Industry Leader
The scale of their recycling shift has had significant impact. Angus Forbes, the company’s Environment and Projects Manager, told us they became serious about recycling their waste just over ten years ago. As well as sending nothing to landfill anymore, it has reaped very good financial benefits.
“In 2014, we built our own recycling yard which was a big step in our journey to become a sustainable business,” he said. “This allowed us to recycle the high volume of rubbish we have. At this time we remove about 70 percent of the waste into recyclable streams, which we can now sell.”
”"Our disposal costs for waste have been reduced by about 50 percent ..."
Angus ForbesEnvironmental and Projects Manager, Farne Salmon and Trout Ltd
The Business Case for Recycling
“Our disposal costs for waste have been reduced by about 50 percent. However, we also get a good deal of revenue from the materials we sort out. Surprisingly, one in particular is polystyrene which people tell me can’t be recycled. However, I can tell you there is a large demand for polystyrene around the world. In our case, it goes back into building insulation.”
All staff are involved in the process of recycling, with bins around the factories separating virtually everything. This shift has resulted in a 50 percent reduction in Farne Salmon’s carbon footprint in the last five years.
Angus added: “We are one of the largest private employers in the Scottish Borders, but the things we’re doing can also be replicated by small companies too. It’s just about starting the journey then you’ll soon see the benefits.”
Aligning with Scotland’s Circular Economy Goals
“Part of the Scottish Government’s circular economy drive is that we re-use and recycle things. After all, if you’re not having to go and buy the materials you need from abroad, and are re-using them in this country, that can only be a good thing.”
Watch the video for more on approach Farne Salmon’s approach to sustainable business recycling for Net Zero
