Breaking news – a smashing idea to help Chapel’s recycling

Rosslyn Chapel’s work to promote its environmental sustainability has been boosted this week after taking the first delivery of sand, created by recycling glass, from bottles used in its coffee shop.

Like many churches, the 15^th-century Chapel has a votive candle stand, where visitors can light a candle during their visit, and the stand has a layer of sand to catch any dripping wax. Sand, made by recycling glass bottles used in the Chapel’s coffee shop is now being used there, thanks to an innovative idea from the Chapel’s catering partner, Saltire Hospitality.

David Peters, Managing Director of Saltire Hospitality, said ‘Following a visit from a childhood friend from New Zealand, we were introduced to the range of Expleco Glass Recycling machines and impressed by the benefits to business and the environment derived from using them.  They offer a volume reduction of up to 10 to 1,  are compact and easy to use, eliminate glass recycling costs, guarantee large reductions in waste management costs and significantly reduce glass bottle storage requirements. A GLS machine produces safe to handle sand and an individual bottle is reduced in 3 to 5 seconds. We liked Expleco GLS, and the benefits it delivers, so much that we have not only bought the machine, but have gained exclusive distribution rights for all Expleco Glass Recycling Machines for Scotland and rights to sell or lease in England and Wales.’

Ian Gardner, Director of Rosslyn Chapel Trust, said ‘Rosslyn Chapel holds a gold award in the Green Tourism Business Scheme and we are always keen to look at ways to add to our environmental sustainability. It’s great that, through this innovative machine, glass bottles from our coffee shop can now be used in this way to benefit the Chapel.’

Rosslyn Chapel is open to visitors all year round. Saltire Hospitality, also based in Midlothian, has been the Chapel’s catering partner since 2013, running its daytime coffee shop and providing catering for evening visits.

Photo: (L to R) David Peters and Bran Jankovic of Saltire Hospitality with Ian Gardner of Rosslyn Chapel Trust

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