Midlothian’s Green Businesses – EPP Ltd

One of business to sign up is Edinburgh Pharmaceutical Processes Ltd (EPP Ltd), a GLP contract research organisation based within Midlothian Science Zone specialising in 5-batch analysis, physico-chemical testing, ecotoxicology, eFate, custom synthesis and R&D.

Through their work they ensure, where possible, they are as environmentally friendly as possible, with strict codes and guidelines to follow. This is just one of the reasons why they have a trustworthy and excellent reputation.

With numerous green initiatives already in place, environmentally conscious employees and customers, and with net zero targets of both Midlothian and Scotland in mind, EPP Ltd saw this as a positive Midlothian initiative. It gives them an opportunity to continue to improve and challenge their existing operations and show that they take Midlothian’s climate ambitions and actions seriously.

Integral to EPP Ltd’s business are the ‘three R’s’’: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Everything their business does falls into these guiding principles to ensure they’re doing their bit for the environment, both now, and for future generations.

As part of this approach to their business, EPP Ltd are committed to:

• Minimising waste by evaluating operations and ensuring they are as efficient as possible.
• Actively promoting recycling within the company, with accessible facilities to recycle paper, cardboard, cans, batteries, glass, and metal. The organisation work with BIFFA for their recycling and receive breakdowns of where their waste and recycling goes for their own environmental tracking. For any chemical waste, a registered disposal company with traceability is used, to ensure secure disposal is as sustainable as possible.
• Re-using packaging where possible when dispatching to clients to minimise the environmental impact of both production and distribution. They also package in bulk where possible and use an environmentally friendly courier service.
• Reviewing and reducing their energy, where possible, by switching off IT equipment at the end of the day, using energy efficient LED light bulbs and turning heating down by a couple of degrees.
• Re-using and recycling equipment where possible. This includes keeping older equipment for parts, reducing unnecessary purchasing.
• Encouraging their employees to choose active travel options between their two sites and travelling to work by bike or foot, where possible.

To help achieve their sustainability targets and drive their business forward, EPP Ltd regularly evaluate their environmental performance. This includes assessing and reviewing the environmental impacts their activities may cause and monitoring any changes in work activities which affect the environment. As a company involved with chemical testing, they truly understand the need for their activities to be safe and sustainable, for their employees, their business and the world.

Set within the beautiful Bush Estate, EPP Ltd have utilised their grounds for good with wildflowers and habitats for pollinating insects including bees and other insects such as hoverflies, beetles, flies, butterflies and moths. Next year they will be introducing swift boxes to the grounds, encouraging nesting and further habitat creation. Space in their grounds is also set to be used for allotments, encouraging staff to get out in nature and discover the benefits and rewards of growing their own food.

Within their wildlife friendly grounds EPP Ltd have their own water Borehole providing their water source. Rainwater is recycled back into a natural burn and an onsite pond is a natural source of water for wildlife and birds.

“Signing the Midlothian Business Green Pledge is something we are delighted and proud to be part of. We have a number of innovative and impactful environmental initiatives already in place but felt this was the perfect opportunity to take a step back, evaluate our performance, process and ensure that we are environmentally on track, where possible. We understand that small steps can make a big difference to all our futures. This is a great initiative for Midlothian and we encourage other businesses to sign up too.”

Sharon McCluskie, Administration Manager, EPP Ltd

EPP Ltd’s signing of the Midlothian Business Green Pledge and their environmental resources are communicated to both employees and customers and resources are made available to all, helping to further implement and maintain their environmental policy. 

Whether you’re well on your way to being a green business like EPP Ltd, are looking for some guidance for your next steps or are at the beginning of your green journey, the Midlothian Business Green Pledge can give you the tools, support and advice you require.

Sign the Midlothian Business Green Pledge now