SILVERBURN held a birthday bash today … to celebrate a year of turning green.

Officials at the Glasgow shopping centre went "eco-static" after deciding to recycle all their waste, from cardboard boxes to glass bottles and jars.

Even food scraps from the mall's restaurants are now turned into fertilisers and used by farmers after Silverburn bosses decided to stop using landfill sites and instead adopt a 100% recycling policy.

Today marks the first anniversary since the centre went "eco friendly". Previously, more than 90% of its waste was routinely buried underground. Glass and cardboard were among the items that were recycled.

David Pierotti said: "We wanted to do our part for the environment. Thanks to our new waste management method we are thrilled to see a huge improvement in our recycling figures."

Rigorous processes are used to break down and separate different kinds of store trash, while farmers are benefiting from the recycled food waste.

Mr Pierotti added: "We have never known any other mall have the same 100% success with their recycling and landfill diversion.

"We are proud to set an example with these great results and are always looking for other ways to go greener."

More rubbish, as well as food scraps, will be boosting Silverburn's recycling programme.

The mall, which has 2500 workers in 130 stores and eateries, is undergoing a £20million expansion.

About 500 jobs will be created when nine restaurants and a 14-screen cinema open next year after being attracted to the new 115,000 sq ft leisure development.

Italian eateries Pizza Express and Zizzi were the first to open shortly before Christmas.

It is seven years since Silverburn opened to the public.

The centre, costing almost £200m, was built on a sprawling site that once had a rundown community retail centre, ambulance depot, playing fields and a secondary school.

gordon.thomson@ eveningtimes.co.uk