Hillington Park backs new student environment initiative

An initiative to brighten up sites in Renfrewshire in a bid to deter flytippers has been given its full support by MEPC Hillington Park.
Design students from West College Scotland will apply their talents to the initiative’s pilot project, a small piece of land at Hillington Park, for the programme being developed to transform potential eyesores into environmental assets.

The designs for the Hillington Park site will be based on the theme of the Commonwealth Games and the winning entry will be displayed on fencing around the piece of currently unused land.

The new fencing will also promote Renfrewshire Council’s Do your bit message; emphasising the whole communities’ role in protecting the environment and recycling.

Jamie Cumming, Commercial Director for MEPC Hillington Park said: “Hillington Park is a very attractive business environment and we are determined to keep it that way.  There are over 500 organisations employing over 6000 people on the Park so we want to ensure that it continues to be an appealing place to do business and a pleasant place to visit for those business’s customers.

“This particular site is a tiny part of Hillington Park’s 417 acre footprint but we want to reinforce the message that flytipping will not be tolerated anywhere here.

“We recently announced a ten year plan to invest up to £50m in developing new sites and existing infrastructure at Hillington Park so we are pleased to be involved in such an innovative project with our partners in Renfrewshire.  In particular, we are delighted to be working with students at West College Scotland on a real life commercial project.”

Councillor Eddie Devine, Convener of the Environment Policy Board said: “The talent of these students at West College Scotland is exceptional and it’s clear that huge amounts of understanding, creativity and hard work went into their design submissions.

“Flytipping can become a real nuisance to local businesses and the community. This initiative reverses that blight and is a real opportunity to develop new ways of preventing the dumping of rubbish on private and public land.

“It will also support our local students, enhance the potential for business growth, and develop a culture where waste is recognised as a valuable resource.”

The £28,000 initiative is a joint venture between Renfrewshire Council, MEPC Hillington Park, West College Scotland, Robust Property and Zero Waste Scotland.