Elected Member Briefing Note 2025, No. 106
About this Briefing Note
Report by: Pete Leonard, Climate Change and Zero Waste Manager
EMBN Number: 106-25
Date: 13 August 2025
Subject: Highland Spring Site Visit
Responsible Officer: Divindy Grant, Team Leader Climate Change and Sustainable Development, Environment and Infrastructure
Details
Purpose
This Briefing Note provides a summary of the Highland Spring site visit undertaken by the Climate Change and Sustainability Committee and ward Councillors on 3 June 2025, to learn about the company's sustainability policy.
Briefing Information
Highland Spring provided an overview of their Sustainability Plan, highlighting key successes and future ambitions. Members also received a tour of the new, award-winning rail freight facility and state of the art packaging plant. Some highlights of their approach to sustainability include:
Protection of 2500 acres of untouched, organic land in the Ochil Hills.
Recently launched as 7MW, 23-acre solar farm in partnership with SSE Energy Solutions that will provide free of charge electricity to Blackford Primary School and rapid EV chargers for public use.
The new rail freight will remove 8000HGV movements from the road every year, saving 2.7m miles per annum.
Highland Spring is a strong supporter of the introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme. The expected improvement in plastic quality will enable them to produce 100% recycled bottles. Highland Spring is interested in working with the Council and other partners on the implementation of the scheme.
As a follow-up action, it was agreed that the Council will invite representatives from Highland Spring to present their good work at a future meeting of the Climate Change and Sustainability Committee.
The slides from the presentation have been circulated to elected members and senior officers of the Climate Change and Sustainability Committee and other attendees. Highland Spring has requested that these are not shared more widely.
Marie Louise Burman, Head of Corporate Communications & External Affairs at Highland Spring is happy to answer follow-up questions. Her e-mail address is: marielouiseb@highlandspringgroup.com
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