Ryan Russell launches new glass collection business

Ryan Russell

Mr Russell, a partner at MML Legal, came up with Doorstep Glass Recycling during lockdown when he noticed queues at recycling points around the city.

The new service will collect glass waste from people’s homes and 10 per cent of profits will go to Dundee Foodbank.

He is working with local businessman Ali Smith, who has established similar companies.

The firm will offer customers in Dundee a 35-litre box in which to place their glass. This will be collected and recycled once a month.

Mr Russell said: “After seeing the queues at the recycling points during lockdown I came up with the idea and after talking to my wife about it she told me to go for it.

“The thing with glass recycling is a lot of people can’t be bothered going to the recycling stations, or have mobility issues which stop them going, so a lot of glass just ends up in landfill which obviously isn’t ideal.

“After doing a lot of research into where we could recycle the glass and also what bins would be best to provide to customers, we started working alongside the Bin Company, who we will be recycling the glass with and they also provide the tough boxes.”

He added: “The charity aspect is something that is really important to us. We wanted to be able to make it a greener community while also feeding the community at the same time.

“We launched the business just over a week ago and have had so much interest already which has been amazing.

“There have even been people from Angus, where the council still has a glass recycling scheme, who want to join up purely for the charity aspect.

“There has also been a wide demographic of people who have been signing up, including some who are older themselves or have older relatives who have mobility issues and don’t want to keep putting their glass to landfill.

“I was actually surprised how many people have signed up and hopefully interest will just keep building and we can branch out to other areas.

“The first collection is also going to be January 3 so it is perfect timing after Christmas and New Year.”