Going green needn't cost businesses the Earth

Businesses could benefit from Perth & Kinross Council grants worth up to £25,000 to invest in green technology and develop new ways of working.

The Green Recovery Capital Development Grant has been created to help firms invest in projects that will help grow their business or reduce their carbon footprint through capital investment in energy efficiencies, including generating their own electricity. The Green Recovery Capital Development Grant is funded from the Local Authority COVID Economic Recovery Fund.

The grants can also be used for infrastructure projects such as installing solar panels, new windows or draft proofing.

Grants of up to £25,000 will be available, covering up to 50% of eligible capital expenditure, with £1.4 million available in total. Projects must meet a minimum threshold of £10,000 (this equates to a minimum £5,000 match from the business), except for electric vehicle charging point applications.

Perth & Kinross Council Environment, Infrastructure and Economic Development Convenor Councillor Andrew Parrott said: “Rising energy costs affect businesses as well as households and so it is vital firms find new ways of working that reduce their carbon footprint and are more energy efficient.

“A number of businesses have already benefited from this scheme and I am sure there are many more that will be able to use these grants to develop their businesses and greener ways of working.

“Small to medium-sized firms are the cornerstone of the economy and we are committed to supporting them in Perth and Kinross.

Councillor Richard Watters, convenor of the Council’s Climate Change and Sustainability Committee added: “These grants are a great example of how we can work with businesses to help them become more sustainable.

“Our target is to reach Net Zero by 2045 and we all have a role to play in reaching that goal. Reducing emissions and energy use makes sense for businesses and for the planet.”

Wasted Degrees Brewing Praises Funding

One firm that benefited from a grant in March 2022 was brewer Wasted Degrees, which successfully secured funding via the Green Recovery Capital Development Grant to enable the purchase of a canning line and labelling machine, both of which are designed and manufactured in the UK by Bolton-based Microcan.

Wasted Degrees founder Conall Low said: “The acquisition of a canning line has been transformational for Wasted Degrees and will likely represent the largest single investment of the next five years.

“As a business that began in a garage as a hobby running out of control - the ink was barely dry on my teaching degree - we’re now brewing back-to-back up to six days a week and preparing to launch into Europe.

“We were at a point where we were struggling to keep up with demand and the canning line has enabled us to scale in a sustainable, responsible, and carbon-conscious way.

“Compared to bottling our beers, this investment will enable us to save around 60 tonnes of carbon equivalents over the next few years.”

The business has used the investment to keep pace with demand and to enter new markets whilst maintaining its strong social and environmental values.

Mr Low added: “This level of automation has turned a four-day job into a four-hour job, instantly delivering broad operational efficiencies and environmental savings, as well as enhancing our speed to market and ability to compete.”

All Small to Medium-Sized Enterprises can apply. These are defined by the Department of Trade and Industry as businesses that have fewer than 250 employees and an annual turnover of less than €50 million or a balance sheet of less than €43 million. Social enterprises and co-operatives are also eligible.

More information on how to apply is available here: https://www.pkc.gov.uk/article/22502/Green-Recovery-Capital-Development-Grant