GRREC Community Benefits

The Glasgow Recycling and Renewable Energy Centre (GRREC) handles approx. 222,000 tonnes of residual waste every year. The plant, working in combination with city wide blue, brown and purple bin recycling, diverts 90% of green bin residual waste away from landfill, saving millions of pounds, releasing recyclable resources from household waste and producing valuable heat and power from one of the most advanced waste management facilities in Europe.

The facility produces enough energy to power the equivalent of 26,496 households and heat the equivalent of some 8,000 homes, delivering a saving to Glasgow of 90,000 tonnes of CO² every year.

At the same time it will deliver a saving to the city of circa £254m during the 25 year contract, creating new jobs, including 20 apprentices, and 254 work experience placements, supporting local social enterprises and small and medium sized businesses throughout the build programme and beyond.

Viridor is committed to developing opportunities for the communities in which we operate.

Business Workshops

Online workshops

Viridor GRREC runs a series of FREE online workshops for Glasgow-based SMEs and Social Enterprises to help adapt to business challenges. The events below will be updated regularly as we add new workshops for you to enjoy.

Viridor is committed to supporting the communities where it operates and is calling on SMEs and Social Enterprises from around Glasgow to register for these FREE online workshops. Please email transformingwasteinglasgow@viridor.co.uk 

 

ONLINE BUSINESS WORKSHOPS FOR 2025:

 

When Time Workshop Name
Thursday 10th April 2025 10.00am - 11.00am "Building a Diverse Workforce with Effective Recruitment"
Wednesday 16th April 2025 10.00am - 11.00am "Accounting & Tax Basics for Small Businesses"
Thursday 24th April 2025 10.00am - 11.00am "Write your Book, Share your Expertise & Watch your Business Thrive!"
Tuesday 29th April 2025 9.30am - 10.30am "Get the Most out of Business Networking"
Wednesday 7th May 2025 10.00am - 11.00am "Presenting with Impact"
Thursday 15th May 2025 10.00am - 11.00am "Visual Brand Storytelling: using images to attract your ideal client"
Wednesday 21st May 2025 10.00am - 11.00am "Branding Basics"
Tuesday 27th May 2025 9.30am - 10.30am "Social Media Content Ideas"
Tuesday 24th June 2025 9.30am - 10.30am "LinkedIn - Let's Get Started"
Tuesday 23rd September 2025 9.30am - 10.30am "How to Generate and Increase Sales"
Monday 20th October 2025 10.00am - 11.00am "Leading Performance Improvement for Small Businesses"
Thursday 13th November 2025 10.00am - 11.00am "Building a Diverse Workforce with Effective Recruitment"

 

Educational Resources

Waste Hierarchy GRREC (1)

Work with us

Building Opportunities with GRREC and Viridor

The construction and commissioning of the Glasgow Recycling and Renewable Energy Centre (GRREC) created more than 250 new jobs, offering exciting opportunities for enthusiastic, hardworking, and innovative people to join Viridor and our partners. These roles ranged from construction and supply chain positions to skilled, professional, and entry-level opportunities in environmental services, management, operations, and business support—boosting local employment across Glasgow.

Supporting Education and Inspiring Future Careers

Beyond employment, GRREC offers a range of opportunities for schools, colleges and universities to engage with Viridor and explore careers in the green sector:

  • Apprenticeships – Hands-on experience for young people keen to build careers in engineering or the waste industry.

  • Work Placements – Placements for secondary school, college, or university students, sparking interest in engineering and waste management.

  • Year in Industry – Real-world experience for university students looking to enhance their learning with practical, discipline-related work.

  • Graduate Programme – Structured graduate employment through Viridor’s national recruitment programme.

Viridor regularly participates in events across Glasgow, engaging with people of different ages and educational backgrounds. These initiatives have already helped many people boost their employability and secure permanent roles with Viridor or our partners.

Interested?

To find out more about these opportunities or get involved, email the GRREC team: transformingwasteinglasgow@viridor.co.uk 

If you're interested in a professional career in one of Europe’s most exciting green industries, register your interest with Jobs and Business Glasgow at 0300 123 2898 or apply online at:
🌐 www.viridor.co.uk/work-with-us

Dangerous waste campaign

Disposing of potentially dangerous items in the general waste stream can cause fires and even explode, endangering staff and disposal sites.

We're working with Glasgow City Council on a campaign to raise awareness on correct disposal of items such as batteries, e- cigarettes gas Canisters, computers & phones.

Educational Resources

Find out more about how we are talking with students and other community groups to helps raise awareness and develop greater understanding of why our ambition is to build a world where nothing goes to waste.