A COMPANY that specialises in reducing waste has set out to prove it values its workforce by paying the living wage.
Vegware is the only completely compostable packaging company operating globally and has 56 employees in Scotland, 46 of whom are based in the Edinburgh HQ.
“Vegware has been looking into introducing the living wage for some years,” explained HR manager Emma Young. “The company has grown tremendously over the past couple of years, and for us, paying the living wage was a no-brainer. People are our biggest asset, and we want to show our commitment to our workforce with a remuneration scheme that values their work. For us, it’s simply good business practice.
“Staff have responded positively to the accreditation and appreciate that this is something Vegware has taken the time to pursue.”
At the moment it is estimated the UK is throwing £13 billion of food away each year, which overall has generated 19 million tonnes of greenhouse gases.
The Waste & Resources Action Programme concluded that preventing this pollution would have been the equivalent of taking one in four cars off the UK road. Alongside this only one in 400 coffee cups are being recycled properly in the UK, a factor that is contributing the nation’s waste problem.
“At Vegware, we’re committed to reducing waste,” said Young. “That’s why we make compostable packaging made from plant-based materials instead of those made from plastic. Our compostable packaging is designed to be recycled together with food waste and break down in industrial composting in under 12 weeks.”
She added: “Our unprecedented engagement with the waste industry allows us to work with waste collectors to ensure compostable packaging and food waste is collected for composting.”
The company has over a decade of experience in delivering food and packaging waste recycling solutions and its environmental team help food service providers join the circular economy by providing step by step support along the way.
To further ensure products are going to the right place, the company has launched a collection service across Scotland’s central belt to provide a simple zero waste solution for the food service industry.
Through the Close the Loop service, Vegware customers will be able to send their compostable packaging and food waste to be collected for composting.
With collections in the Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Falkirk areas, all collected Vegware and food waste will be composted outside Glasgow at Blantyre. Catering waste will then help feed Scottish fields with high-grade compost created in just a matter of weeks.
Users can choose their own collection days and cancel or add collections with 24 hours’ notice. A clean bin is offered with every collection and Vegware can give free staff training and bin signage.
The real living wage of at least £8.45 per hour is significantly higher than government minimum wage of £6.70 and the new minimum wage premium for over 25s of £7.50 per hour introduced last April.
The real living wage is an hourly rate, calculated annually by the Resolution Foundation and overseen by the Living Wage Commission.
It is higher than the UK Government’s so-called “living wage” which is just a rebranding of the legally binding minimum wage and only applies to those older than 25.
The real living wage applies to everyone over the age of 18.
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