MP for Keighley and Ilkley, Robbie Moore, Visits Our Head Office

We recently welcomed a visit from the MP for Keighley and Ilkley, Robbie Moore. The meeting was hosted by Ecology’s Facilities Officer, Lara Clarkson, who invited the MP – who is also Shadow Minister for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs – to our purpose-built ‘Eco-HQ’ meeting room, which is constructed from straw bales.

During the meeting, Lara and Robbie discussed the Simpler Recycling Scheme, an initiative launched by Robbie Moore MP in 2024 while serving under the previous Conservative Government. The MP also praised Ecology Building Society as one of Silsden’s – and the financial services industry’s – best kept secrets.

Speaking about Ecology Building Society, Robbie Moore, MP Keighley and Ilkley, said:
“Ecology was founded over 40 years ago in Silsden, West Yorkshire, to meet the financial services needs of people who care about the planet and their impact upon it. It now serves over 15,000 customers across the UK and is truly one of our local success stories. I’m excited to hear about the Society’s plans to grow its business and increase the positive impact it has on people, communities and the planet.”

Speaking about the visit, Facilities Officer at Ecology, Lara Clarkson, said:
“A basic expectation of the new Simpler Recycling scheme is for businesses to now segregate all their food waste from the general waste stream, so it can be collected separately. But here at Ecology we wanted to better that by creating an on-site self-sufficient composting process that not only avoids an additional weekly lorry journey to our premises, it also saves us the financial expense of a food waste collection service, and will generate a valuable soil improver to benefit the fruit and veg that we grow in our permaculture beds and community garden here in Silsden. With the necessary waste exemptions now in place, we have ambitions to go one step further and offer our composting facilities to other neighbouring local businesses, so they too can make a more sustainable choice, enjoy the associated cost-savings, and help benefit their local community garden. We’d encourage other businesses with even a small amount of outdoor space to also consider a composter for their food waste.

We were delighted to welcome Robbie Moore MP to our head office and to have the opportunity to provide our feedback on the Simpler Recycling scheme. We know our Members want Ecology to lead the way on initiatives such as these, and to campaign for policies and processes that will help to create a fair society in a sustainable world.”

Speaking about the Simpler Recycling Scheme, Robbie Moore, MP Keighley and Ilkley, said:
“It’s important everyone can do their bit to increase recycling and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill. We’ve already heard positive feedback from local residents as a result of the initiative. However, to further increase its positive impact, I’d encourage local business owners to share their stories of the benefits – and challenges – arising from the scheme.”