Households across Inverness will soon have access to affordable household electrical appliances such as washing machines and cookers, as ILM Highland expands its services directly into the city for the first time.
Launching at Scotland’s first purpose-built Training & Reuse Village, developed by New Start Highland, the move marks a significant step forward for the environmental social enterprise, placing essential household appliances within easier reach of local families while tackling one of the fastest-growing waste streams.
Through its Rescued & Ready range, ILM Highland will also offer refurbished and new small electrical appliances such as slow cookers and airfryers, from its base at Carsegate, giving items a second life and providing a practical, lower-cost alternative for households facing the expense of replacing vital goods.
Martin Macleod, Chief Executive at ILM Highland, said, “When a washing machine or fridge breaks, it’s not a luxury, it’s something people rely on every day, and replacing it can be a real financial pressure. What makes this particularly exciting is that we’re now able to bring this service directly into Inverness, making it easier for people to access the appliances they need while supporting a more sustainable way of living.”
Electrical waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams globally, yet many appliances still have years of life left in them. Through its refurbishment work, ILM Highland is helping ensure these items are repaired, reused and returned to households rather than ending up in landfill.
Its presence at the Training & Reuse Village represents more than just a new retail space, it places electrical reuse at the heart of a growing, community-led hub focused on sustainability, skills development and opportunity.
Developed by Inverness-based charity and social enterprise New Start Highland, the £500,000 Training & Reuse Village will bring together organisations working to promote repair and reuse, while offering hands-on training opportunities that can lead to employment.
Martin continued, “Being part of the Training & Reuse Village is a natural fit for us. It’s about bringing together organisations with a shared goal, helping people repair, reuse and rethink how everyday items are used, while creating real opportunities within communities.”
Alongside ILM Highland’s appliance concession, the New Start Highland Training and Reuse Village is also home to the Inverness Tool Library, a Bike Hut which offers repair and restoration and The Yard Café training facility. Together, they create a shared, collaborative space where people can learn practical skills, access support and play a part in a more circular approach to everyday life.
New Start Highland also sells pre-loved furniture and other home goods, helping to give items a second life while keeping costs more manageable for local households.
Together, the organisations based at the Village aim to shift habits away from throwaway culture, encouraging more people to repair, repurpose and reuse, and helping valuable materials stay in use for longer.
The official opening of ILM Highland Retail at the New Start Highland Training & Reuse Village will take place on Saturday 25th July 2026.
ILM Highland has thanked United Infrastructure for supporting the fit-out of the new retail concession, alongside Burness Paull for providing legal support throughout the project.
United Infrastructure said it welcomed the opportunity to support a local organisation and contribute directly to local job creation through the new retail space.
Founded in 1994, ILM Highland is an environmental social enterprise supporting communities across the north of Scotland. The organisation operates the only authorised electrical treatment facility in the Highlands, working with local authorities and businesses to collect, process and responsibly recycle electrical appliances.
Alongside its recycling operations, ILM Highland refurbishes and resells household appliances through its retail services, helping keep valuable items in use while making essential goods more accessible for local households.
Income generated through these environmental and retail activities supports ILM Highland’s charitable services, which help people across the Highlands live safely and independently at home.
To find out more about ILM Highland and its work across the Highlands, visit www.ilmhighland.co.uk or follow ILM Highland on Facebook and LinkedIn.
Headline Image: Martin Macleod, CEO of ILM Highland, pictured outside the Training & Reuse Village at New Start Highland, where ILM Highland’s new Inverness retail space is located.