Recycling firm Viridor has announced it is to construct a new £25m recycling plant at Newhouse, Lanarkshire.

A total of 30 jobs will also be created as a result of the investment.

The 70,000 sq ft facility, which will be located adjacent to the M8 motorway, will be capable of recycling 200,000 tonnes of glass each year, which is 150% of all glass packaging currently collected in Scotland. It is hoped the new plant will reduce the need for industries such as Scotch whisky to import glass.

In a statement, Viridor said the centre would be the most advanced in Europe.

Ian McAulay, Chief Executive at Viridor, said: "Building on our £100m network of Scottish recycling-led infrastructure, this latest investment, bringing the UK's most advanced glass recycling centre home to the central belt, places Scotland at the leading edge of global glass recycling.

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"Part of a £500m Scottish investment strategy to translate zero waste policy into practice, the centre will drive sustainability for the Scotch whisky and associated sectors at the heart of Scotland's global position.

"A vital key in unlocking Scottish Government circular economy policy, this latest investment will not only help drive the level and quality of glass recycling across the country, but will be a real boost for a Lanarkshire economy fast becoming an important base for Scotland's green sectors."

Julie Hesketh-Laird, Scotch Whisky Association Director of Operational and Technical Affairs, added: "The Scotch Whisky industry has ambitious green targets as part of its far-reaching Environmental Strategy. By 2020 distillers are committed to 40% of their product packaging being made from recycled materials. Glass accounts for the vast majority of the packaging of Scotch and we welcome supply chain innovation which advances glass recycling."

Calum MacDonald , Director of Operations, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, also commented: "This further investment by one of the UK's leaders in recycling and resource management is a welcome sign of confidence in Scotland's green economy.

"Viridor's strong commitment to compliance demonstrates that economic growth goes hand in hand with environmental sustainability, supporting the vision of a circular economy."

Equipment for the new facility will start to be installed this month, with production due to commence in summer and full operation by Autumn this year.

(JP/CD)