Archie Balkwill, programme manager, bids adieu to Recycling Fund

In a bittersweet farewell to a pioneering initiative, Archie Balkwill, one of our programme managers, has recently overseen the successful conclusion of the Salix Recycling Fund. 

This innovative scheme, which has been a cornerstone of public sector energy efficiency for nearly two decades, has left an indelible mark on Britain's journey towards sustainability.
 

The Recycling Fund, which began in the mid-2000s, was a stroke of brilliance that addressed a pressing conundrum: how to help cash-strapped public sector organisations reduce their carbon footprint without breaking the bank.

With a clever 'match-funded, ring-fenced' approach, the scheme became the proverbial golden goose, laying a steady stream of energy-saving projects across the nation.

Over its illustrious run, the fund supported a staggering 10,000 projects across 170 organisations.

From swapping out dim, energy-guzzling bulbs to wrapping buildings in insulation, the fund's impact has been nothing short of remarkable.

It's slashed carbon emissions by a whopping 250,000 tonnes annually - equivalent to taking about 54,000 cars off the road each year.

Not to mention, it's helped the public sector save a tidy sum of £55 million per annum.

Archie, who's been with Salix for nearly four years, had the honour of steering the fund through its final lap. "It couldn't have gone better," he said, praising his team's efforts in ensuring clients were well-supported and crystal clear on expectations throughout the process.
 

As the curtain falls on this trailblazing initiative, there's a palpable sense of pride in its achievements. 

The Recycling Fund hasn't just been about immediate gains. It's fundamentally altered how organisations approach energy efficiency, embedding it into their long-term strategies. 

But don't break out the black armbands just yet. While the Recycling Fund may be riding off into the sunset, its spirit lives on.

There's still a voracious appetite across the public sector for similar schemes offering trusted, flexible finance options.

The ability to reinvest savings into future work has proven to be a game-changer, allowing organisations to plan strategically and build confidence in low-carbon projects.

So, here's to Salix's Recycling Fund - may its memory be as evergreen as the future it's helped to cultivate.