Mary Rudge, Manager of E-Inclusion and Penny Goodwin, CEO of Wastesavers.
E-Inclusion Recycling in Newport has become the eighth Welsh social enterprise to receive a Social Enterprise Development Award (SEDA) from Santander.
Santander’s SEDA scheme aims to ‘improve social inclusion, help disadvantaged communities and create a greener environment’ by supporting small businesses. It focuses on social enterprises due to their important role in local communities, and their potential to expand given ‘the right kind of support’.
E-Inclusion Recycling provides technology to community organisations and individuals who otherwise would not have access to them and provides educational programmes to improve job prospects for people with learning difficulties living in Newport.
Since 2006, 500 computers have been donated to community organisations and individuals and 50 unemployed adults have been placed in employment programmes through the enterprise.
As part of the award, E-Inclusion has received £15,000 in prize money as well as access to mentoring programmes, internship funding and university business courses and training.
The money will now be used to pay for a Recycling Manager to oversee E-Inclusion’s transition into a recycling facility, enabling the enterprise to create a new source of revenue by selling any scrap metal produced.
E-Inclusion Manager Mary Rudge, explained: “The award will help us to take a vital step in the development of our business. We are now looking forward to being able to expand our recycling and social programmes so that we can assist more people across Newport.”
Santander’s Relationship Director Andrew Woodgate, praised the work of the social enterprise, saying: “E-Inclusion Recycling’s business development plan was well-researched and they presented a very good case to receive support. The funding from Santander will enable them to create a solid new income stream and we wish them every success with their new venture.”
Amongst the other Welsh SEDA winners were: Reseiclo Community Wood Recycling; Green Valleys CIC; Down to Earth; Ten Green Bottles; and Pedal Power.
Read more about Santander’s SEDA award.
Get our weekly digest
resource.co article ai
How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.