“We want to be a circular business – but we’re just at the start of our journey, so to speak,” explains Director, Greg Winston. “We’ve been manufacturing since 1954, but the circular economy is something new to us.”
Elite have kicked off this exciting shift with prototyping for manufacturing. “One of the things we manufacture is mattresses, so we’re looking at the design to see if it can be recycled more easily.
“We’re also looking at the whole business plan – to see how we can give furniture a second end-of-life use – to stop it simply going into landfill.”
Aside from currently working with one of Zero Waste Scotland’s partners to create a circular business plan, Elite have received some support with navigating the second-hand market. And of course, facilitating conversations with like-minded businesses. “The networking is brilliant,” says Greg. “If you have an interest in the environment – or even if you don’t but think your business could go down that route – speak to Zero Waste Scotland […] They have put us in touch with other companies that have just started their businesses – ones on the same tangent as us.”
“Stick with it. Focus. Make sure you have plenty of time to set aside. Be passionate. Don’t let people put you off – just because one person doesn’t think something is a great idea, it doesn’t mean it’s not a great idea. Take a break and come back to it – another day’s a better day,” says Greg. “Every day is a challenge. Usually, asking a question is going to come up with more questions rather than answers – but keep chopping away at it. There’s an answer for everything. Just because the time’s not right yet, it doesn’t mean it’s not going to be.”