Rethink Waste - SPRING 2012 - North West Region Waste Management Group
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SPRING 2012 Rethink Waste
www.northwestwaste.org.uk
Welcome AT ANCE
GLA
On behalf of the North West
Region Waste Management Group
(NWRWMG), I would like to welcome
you to the Spring 2012 edition of
Waste Watch.
2012 is a significant year for the
waste management effort in the North
West as we will be announcing the
successful bidder in the £500m public
procurement exercise to deliver new
waste management facilities for the
region. Work can then commence on PAGE PAGE
40 Household waste recycled and
composted as a percentage of
the delivery of Mechanical Biological 4-8 9
35 household waste arisings
Treatment (MBT) and Energy Recovery 30
technologies, with the new facilities set 25
to be operational before the end of 2014. 20
More detailed information on the 15
procurement project and what it will 10
mean for the region is on page 15, 5
with the most important detail for 0
you, the general public, being that
the introduction of the new waste
management facilities will provide the
region with an environmentally-friendly, An in-depth look at the great waste Statistics reveal that NWRWMG residents
yet cost-effective, waste solution. management work being carried out by are 35
takingPercentage
the 3Rs principle on board and
of municipal waste
each of the NWRWMG’s seven constituent helping tosentincrease both
for recycling and the household
composting
councils, from getting creative on recycling
30 and composting
as a percentage of the total rate and the
Regular readers of Waste Watch will the beach at Limavady to daily living municipal waste arisings
municipal recycling and composting rate.
know that the 3Rs principle of ‘reduce, adjustments in Ballymoney. 25
reuse and recycle’ forms a major part of 20
the waste management message which
PAGE PAGE
the NWRWMG and our constituent 15
councils deliver to households. In this
10-11 12-13
10
edition we thought we would take a 5
closer look at the reuse theme and
the various methods available to 0
householders to help reuse as many
waste materials as possible.
Partnership working amongst the
198,00
constituent councils is a key element
196,000
of the NWRWMG’s approach to the 194,000
waste management effort and, as 192,000
ever, we have taken the opportunity to %
A round-up of some of the European An190,000
in-depth look at what exactly we 32.5
highlight some of the great work the Week for Waste Reduction initiatives mean when we talk about ‘reuse’ in a
188,000
seven councils are doing to spread the which took place throughout the North waste management 3
186,000 1.6% examining
context,
3Rs message and help boost recycling West region with the aim of raising the184,000
various waste products which can be
levels. And it seems that message is awareness of ways to reduce our waste. used and .3%
28the most wasteeffective techniques
40%
Municipal growth rate percentage
for182,000
reusing.
being received as recent figures reveal 180,000
that the recycling rate for the area is 178,000
increasing, the overall amount of waste PAGE PAGE
being produced is falling and the landfill 14 15
diversion targets are being met.
30%
So, keep up the good work, but
Year
2005/06
*BMW Land Filled
95,480
BMW Allowance
128,839
Target Met
√
remember there is always room for 2006/07 104,257 123,745 √
improvement. We hope you find these 2007/08 98,763 121,306 √
2008/09 89,558 118,847 √
pages both informative and enjoyable
20%
2009/10 74,958 89,283 √
– please get in touch with us if you 2010/11 70,283 89,460 √
would like to discuss further any 10
element of the NWRWMG’s waste 2009/
9
management approach. 2 008/0
08
2007/
0 06/07
We realise that it is not always easy to 6 An 2update on the £500m public
Chairman, remember exactly what materials can 2 005/0 procurement exercise to deliver new
4% cannot go into your 0blue 0 5
Cllr Evelyne Robinson
and 2 04/ recycling waste management facilities for the
bin. So we have
2 003included our regular region, which NWRWMG is co-ordinating.
reminder
0 02 and an updated list of blue
2
bin-friendly materials.
page 2
www.northwestwaste.org.uk
NWRWMG
Joint
Committee
2011/12 COLERAINE
MOYLE
Councillors
Ballymoney Borough Council BALLYMONEY
Alderman Cecil Cousley DERRY LIMAVADY
Councillor Evelyne Robinson
Coleraine Borough Council
Councillor William King
Councillor George Duddy
MAGHERAFELT
Derry City Council STRABANE
Councillor Michael Cooper
Councillor Shaun Gallagher
Limavady Borough Council
Alderman Jack Rankin
Alderman Michael Coyle
Magherafelt District Council
Councillor Sean McPeake
Councillor Kathleen Lagan
Contact Us:
Moyle District Council
NWRWMG,
Councillor Catherine McCambridge Derry City Council,
Councillor Robert McIlroy 98 Strand Road,
Strabane District Council Derry, BT48 7NN
Councillor Kieran McGuire Tel: 028 7137 0808,
Councillor Jay McCauley Fax: 028 7137 0684
info@northwestwaste.org.uk
www.northwestwaste.org.uk
Management Plan WASTE HIERARCHY
The NWRWMG was formed in Since 2000 the NWRWMG has made
significant investments in facilities and
1999, when it was decided by operations to achieve the targets set out PREVENT
the seven councils involved in its Waste Management Plan. In 2000
that a joint approach would be there were 37 Household Waste Recycling RESOURCE
the most effective method of Centres and Bring Sites in the region and PREPARING MANAGEMENT
today the Group has 109 such centres. In FOR
deciding how best to deal with addition 129,000 households have blue bins RE-USE
RESIDUES
waste in the area. and more than 32,000 home composters
have been distributed. A comprehensive
The group formed a Joint Committee of Waste Education Programme has been RECYCLE
Councils under the Local Government Act organised by the councils to support the RECOVERY
(Northern Ireland) 1972 in order to carry infrastructure investments to date. Four
out this work, with two elected members of the councils have brown bins for the OTHER
from each council sitting on the NWRWMG collection of organic materials.
RECOVERY
EG. ENERGY
Joint Committee. RECOVERY
The objectives and targets of the NI Waste
A Waste Management Plan was prepared Management Strategy can be represented
which has evolved over time and offers in the Waste Management Hierarchy, as
OTHER
DISPOSAL
the potential not only to reduce the illustrated in the diagram. The hierarchy EXCEPT
LANDFILL
environmental impact of current waste highlights the need to move practices DISPOSAL
management practices, but also to away from landfill disposal and to promote
contribute to sustainable economic reduction, reuse, recycling and recovery. LANDFILL
development.
page 3
www.northwestwaste.org.uk
Coleraine
compost gets
seal of approval
Coleraine Borough Council has
achieved a Northern Ireland For further information on recycling and composting
first by attaining the BSI (British at home in Coleraine Borough Council area, please go to
Standards Institute) PAS www.colerainebc.gov.uk/recycle or phone the
100 quality certificate for its Recycling Helpline, Technical Services on 028 7034 7272.
composting site at Letterloan.
Confirming that its compost meets the
highest standards set within the industry,
it is the first time that any local authority in
Northern Ireland has received this accolade.
Jonathan Wilson, Technical and Waste
Management Officer, Coleraine Borough
Council, commented:
“The PAS 100 certification
effectively guarantees that our
compost is safe, reliable and
offers high performance. The
certification covers the entire
compost production process
from raw materials and production
methods through to quality
control and lab testing.
“We make our compost from
garden waste - such as leaves,
hedge cuttings, small branches
and grass - brought to us by the
public, via our recycling sites,
and from landscapers, who
deliver directly to our Letterloan
site. During each 12-week cycle
we shred and turn the material, Jonathan Wilson, Technical and Waste Management Officer, and Rachel Bain, Biodiversity Officer,
at Coleraine Borough Council’s PAS 100 approved composting site.
ensuring every batch of compost
The next stage of development for Coleraine compost producers are inspected annually.
reaches high temperatures.
Borough Council’s composting operation is Every year producers must continue to meet
to create a finer grade of compost, resulting the high PAS 100 standards and have their
“This means any harmful bacteria in an even better product. compost re-tested.
and pathogens are destroyed. The
final stage is to pass the material The Association of Organics Recycling Members of the public can bring their
through a screen to regulate the Certification Scheme, which assesses garden waste to any one of the council’s
Coleraine Borough Council’s composting recycling sites in Coleraine, Portrush,
size of the compost, giving us a
site, is the only UK scheme providing third Portstewart, Kilrea, Garvagh and Castlerock.
quality product which is certified to party assessment of conformity with BSI Compost is available for sale at £3 per tonne
BSI PAS 100 standard.” PAS 100. The process is rigorous and - please call 028 7034 3846 for details.
page 4
www.northwestwaste.org.uk
Derry
inspired by
Recycled Fashion
Derry City Council is proud The integration of electrical waste into the to educate their students on the importance
design forms part of the challenge, with of sustainability, while giving them
to support a new innovative a special prize to be awarded by ERP for an outlet for their creativity. Derry City
recycling competition which its most inspired and creative use. Junk Council is calling on as many schools as
challenges students to create Kouture gives schools a fantastic opportunity possible to get involved.
wearable high-end, couture
fashion from old everyday junk.
‘ERP Junk Kouture’ is set to launch this
spring and it is hoped that the UK-wide
competition will eventually lead to the
creation of 10 jobs in the North West as
well as the grand final being hosted in
Derry in 2013.
This year’s recycle competition has received
great interest from schools in the North
West with students getting particularly
excited about the opportunities available
to them.
Junk Kouture’s profile was significantly
boosted recently when programme leaders
were invited to attend the Royal Film
Premiere of Hugo in London and their
models shared the red carpet with the
likes of Little Mix from X Factor, His Royal
Highness The Prince of Wales and the
Duchess of Cornwall and stars of the
movie ‘Hugo’.
The recycled fashion competition, which is
open to all Secondary school students in
Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, A few example
s of some of
will feature regional semi-finals across all during the ER
P Junk Koutu
the pieces de
signed
re competitio
four provinces, culminating in the grand n last year
final in Dublin in April 2012.
The winning school will receive £2,000 in
prize money, with the winning team receiving
£400, IT equipment to the value of £1,000
and a place on a week-long fashion design
course at the Grafton Academy, Dublin.
For further information contact Elizabeth on
elizabeth@junkkouture.com, visit the facebook page at
www.facebook.com/junkkouture or log on to
www.erpjunkkouture.com
page 5
www.northwestwaste.org.uk
Life’s a beach for Limavady
Limavady Borough Council’s an attractive sturdy bin which contains waste cost just a tenth to make than it would
very effectively and makes good use of to have purchased new bins.
bid to improve environmental ‘waste’ barrels.
performance and reduce costs Yet further proof, if it were needed,
received a timely boost recently As well as the significant environmental that one person’s trash is definitely
benefits of the new bins, the project also another’s treasure.
at Benone Beach thanks to a helped the Council make a considerable
moment of creative inspiration financial saving, given that the barrels
from a council member of staff.
Ahead of the busy summer season,
the council’s thoughts turned towards
the need to install new bins at Benone,
which is always a very popular retreat
for tourists during summer. Given that
at least 15 bins are needed, this was
going to be a costly exercise.
That was until someone in the waste
management team had the idea of
making use of the large number of
barrels that were in storage and not
needed. With some light engineering
work these barrels were transformed
into bins which are tough enough to
withstand both the attention of vandals
and the strong, salty Atlantic winds.
Welding equipment, sheet metal, paint
and the skills of staff were all brought to
bear on the job in hand. The result was,
as illustrated in the image adjacent,
Strabane steps up
for Reduction Week
Strabane District Council has The European Week for Waste Reduction The Love Food Hate Waste campaign was
played a very active part in a (EWWR) ran from 19th to 27th November promoted at the sessions together with
2011 and Strabane District Council Home Composting, Bag for Life, reducing
European-wide initiative aimed supported the event by holding information Junk Mail and Reuse.
at raising awareness of ways to sessions at local libraries, post offices, The
Alley Theatre and the council offices. Throughout the council buildings, an email
reduce our waste. was distributed among staff giving a list of
tips to reduce waste in the building and,
The European Week during every day of EWWR, a tip was
for Waste Reduction emailed to all staff to remind them and raise
focused on highlighting awareness of what could be done.
waste reduction
activities across Europe The Love Food Hate Waste bags for life
and raising awareness from Rethink Waste NI were also distributed
of ways to reduce our to all who attended the information sessions.
waste. The council The local villages which were visited
realises the importance throughout the week to raise awareness
of this and the fact that were Artigarvan, Newtownstewart, Castlederg,
it would have to pay Drumlegagh and Strabane town itself.
fines of up to £150.00
per tonne of waste sent For further information or tips and ideas
to landfill if it exceeds on how to reduce your waste, visit
its allocated tonnage www.lovefoodhatewasteni.org and
allowance. www.rethinkwasteni.org or contact the
Technical Services Department, Strabane
Left to Right: Yvonne Lecky, Recycling Officer from Strabane District Council,
shares waste reduction tips and advice with local residents at the European
District Council, on 028 7138 2204.
Week for Waste Reduction information session in Drumlegagh Post Office
page 6
www.northwestwaste.org.uk
Magherafelt top of the league for Recycling
“At the moment Magherafelt is
doing really well but there is no
room for complacency and it is
important that all our residents
continue to support the council’s
recycling and composting initiatives
in the same way they have to date.”
Meanwhile, as part of the ongoing efforts
to reduce, reuse and recycle its waste,
Magherafelt District Council held a number
Some examples of the work by schoolchildren who took part in the Halloween waste reduction and reuse workshops. of waste reduction and reuse workshops in
partnership with local schools in the
Magherafelt and composted in 2010/11. As a result, run-up to Halloween. Ten local primary
Magherafelt also sent the lowest percentage schools took part in the junk art workshops
District Council and used their own rubbish to make
of municipal solid waste to landfill in
is continuing its 2010/11, landfilling just over 42% of its Halloween masks.
recent excellent total waste. This puts the council on course
to meet not just its 2012/13 targets under Councillor Milne explained:
performance in recycling and
the EU Landfill Directive and the Northern
composting its waste and is well Ireland Landfill Allowances scheme, but it “In recent years Magherafelt District
on course to meet EU targets also means it is already meeting its targets Council has excelled at recycling
for 2012/13 and 2020. for 2020 under both pieces of legislation. and diverting our waste from
Councillor Ian Milne, Chairman of Magherafelt
landfill. Now the council also wants
The council has been proud of its recycling
and composting record in recent years, as District Council, stressed the importance to to look at ways of reducing and
local residents make full use of the blue and all the residents of the district. He said: reusing the waste that we currently
brown bins that are now available in every create. These waste reduction
house as well as the four excellent recycling “This is great news for the district, and reuse workshops are a fun
centres provided within the district. as it insulates our residents from and novel way of getting children
However, thanks to processing its own
the possibility of huge fines and to think about the waste that we
residual waste, Magherafelt District infraction proceedings that could be produce, to think of the waste that
Council has shot right to the top of the handed out by central government we produce as a resource and how
pile for recycling in Northern Ireland with and Europe for councils that don’t it can be reused.”
over 53% of all household waste recycled meet the targets.
Moyle has it Maid
Schoolchildren demonstrate
their costumes at the
Halloween workshop
organised by Moyle District
Council to help encourage
children to reuse second-
hand clothes by making their
Halloween costumes out of
them rather than buying
new ones.
Lucy Smyth from Tailor Maid was the
seamstress in charge, with Donna Morton
face painting and council staff, Janice
Dunlop and Rhonda Cassley, assisting.
All second hand clothes
were supplied by Cookstown
Textile Recyclers and funding
for the event was provided by
the Department of the
Environment’s Rethink
Waste campaign.
page 7
www.northwestwaste.org.uk
Apple pies and
sustainable lives
Declan Donnelly, Recycling and
Education Officer at Ballymoney
Borough Council, and his wife
Barbara decided last year to
change their approach to living
and working in an attempt to
reduce waste and connect
Reduce
more with people.
This started as a week-long experiment but
has now continued for almost 12 months
Junk Mail
and Declan believes it has greatly improved
his family’s wellbeing and reduced the
amount of waste. Below is his account of
How many times have
these changes and the resulting benefits. you opened an envelope
delivered to your home
“We live in a ‘plugged in’ world where
people feel increasingly isolated and
Declan Donnelly, Recycling and Education Officer at
Ballymoney Borough Council and put it and its contents
disengaged from society. We have more straight in the bin? It
ways to communicate but less time to talk. Does it work I hear you say? The answer happens in almost every
We are losing our connection with the world is yes. What started as a week-long
around us. Advertising almost convinces us experiment has now become a way of life. home – a series of mail
that happiness comes from owning more We now use small shops within a 10-minute dropped through your letter
‘stuff’, the bigger and more up-to-date walk of our home. We buy what we need box that neither you nor any
the better. Unfortunately, a 52-inch screen rather than what we have to. We are getting
to know people in our shops, building a of your family have any need
or super fast broadband will not enhance
physical and emotional wellbeing. So how connection with our community. We are or desire for.
would a different approach to living work - buying local produce, although that’s difficult
at times. I now have five shirts and a pair of This is obviously creating extra waste
one where we reduce waste, connect with
jeans in my wardrobe thanks to ‘charity shop materials that you and the environment
others and lead more fulfilled lives?
chic’. We are growing some food but we in general could very much do without.
That’s the challenge I set myself on a started with lettuce and other salad plants There are actually a few quite simple
personal level and not just because my because you can’t really go wrong there and steps you can follow to reduce the
day job involves me telling people how they can be grown in reused containers. amount of ‘junk mail’ you receive,
they might live their lives! I am fortunate We now use public transport, walking and which are listed below:
in that my wife, Barbara, was happy to take cycling extensively and, despite the weather,
it’s actually quite satisfying as well as • Register with the Mailing Preference
this road with me. We decided to follow
cheaper than using our car. Service at www.mpsonline.org.uk/
some simple principles:
mpsr/mps_choosetype.html to stop
• Support smaller and more local shops What difference does it all make? Well, we receiving addressed advertising mail
now spend less money and produce less like credit card applications
• Grow more of our own food waste. We have refined our ‘waste to black
• To stop unaddressed, unsolicited
bin’ process to one single plastic carrier bag
• Buy local produce where possible marketing mail contact the Royal
per week. We talk more and are learning
Mail (email: mediacentre.customer.
• Use charity shops more often new things all the time. We are supporting
service@royalmail.co.uk)
the local economy and local jobs and have
• Join a credit union the added excitement of calling into charity • Be aware when giving your name
shops to see what’s on the rail or shelf. and address; ensure you indicate
• Purchase loose items or those with
reduced packaging you DON’T want your details to be
So what do apple pies have to do with used for future promotions or passed
sustainable living? We have an apple tree in to other marketing agencies.
• Reduce car use
our back garden which we didn’t really use
• Watch less TV last year. This year, some of the apples have
been converted into chutney, and some into
• Source sustainable and reusable products apple pies which we gave to our closest
where possible neighbours, again deepening our connection
with them!
• Make better use of recycling options
available to us So, what are you waiting for? Try it, you
might actually embrace it and I’m not
• Get to know our neighbours
saying it’s easy or suitable for every
situation, but you might be able to take
something from it that appeals to you.
Go on, it does make a difference.”
page 8
25 30
25
www.northwestwaste.org.uk 20
20
15
15
3Rs
10
On board with the
10
5
5
0 0
As most of you will be aware,
198,00 40 Household waste recycled and
there are two main facets to 196,000
35 Percentage of municipal waste
composted as a percentage of
sent for recycling and composting
the NWRWMG’s approach to the 194,000
35
30
household waste arisings
as a percentage of the total
municipal waste arisings
waste management programme. 192,000
30
25
25
190,000
One is overseeing the £500m public 20
188,000 20
procurement exercise to deliver new
186,000 15
waste management facilities for the area. 15
More details about this project, one of the 184,000
Municipal waste growth rate percentage 10
10
largest public procurement exercises ever 182,000
55
undertaken in the North West, are provided 180,000
on page 15. 178,000 0
0
The other major focus of the Group’s work
is the promotion of the 3Rs principle – we
are constantly striving to encourage people
Year *BMW Land Filled BMW Allowance Target Met
to ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’ as many
35 Percentage of municipal waste
materials as possible. 2005/06 95,480 128,839 √ 198,00
sent for recycling and composting
The figures also show that the amount √
2006/07 104,257 123,745 196,000
30 as a percentage of the total
You, the public, obviously have a major role of biodegradable
2007/08 98,763municipal 121,306
waste sent to √ 194,000
municipal waste arisings
to play in this – and recent statistics prove 2008/09 89,558
landfill in the NWRWMG area was well √
118,847 25
192,000
2009/10 74,958 89,283 √
that the you are taking the 3Rs message within its allowance,
2010/11 70,283
while the total amount√
89,460 190,000
20
on board. of municipal waste arising in the Group in 188,000
2010/11 was 184,798. The level of waste 15
186,000
As the graphs and table illustrate, the growth reduction has a significant effect
recycling rate for the area is increasing, the on environmental impacts, costs and the 10
184,000
Municipal waste growth rate percentage
overall amount of waste being produced is amount of disposal infrastructure needed to 182,000
5
falling and the landfill diversion targets are meet the EU landfill diversion targets. 180,000
being met. 0
178,000
These are great strides and the North
The annual Household Recycling and West public are to be commended for their
Composting Rate for the seven NWRWMG efforts – but it’s absolutely vital that everyone
member councils has increased from keeps up the good work and realises their
Year *BMW Land Filled BMW Allowance Target Met
34.2% of household waste arisings in responsibility to view waste as a potential 198,00
2008/9 to 35.7% in 2010/11, while the resource rather than an unwanted by product. 2005/06
196,000
95,480 128,839 √
Municipal Recycling and Composting Rate 2006/07
194,000
104,257 123,745 √
2007/08 √
has increased from 31.6% in 2008/9 to 98,763 121,306
34.6% in 2010/11. www.northwestwaste.org.uk 2008/09
192,000
2009/10
89,558
74,958
118,847
89,283
√
√
190,000
2010/11 70,283 89,460 √
188,000
186,000
184,000
Municipal waste growth rate percentage
182,000
Brand
180,000
178,000
awareness Year *BMW Land Filled BMW Allowance Target Met
2005/06 95,480 128,839 √
Have a close look at the two Consumers quickly engaged with the labels. This communicates
2006/07 104,257
a simple
123,745 √
new logo, commenting that it was simple recycling
2007/08 message on both retail
logos above. You will no doubt and descriptive and says clearly: ‘I love own-label
2008/09
98,763
and branded
89,558
121,306
consumer
118,847
√
√
recognise both of them and most recycling’. Local authorities soon began packaging
2009/10 to help consumers 89,283
74,958 recycle √
of you will be well aware that the to adopt it. 2010/11
more materials, 70,283
more often. 89,460 √
one on the right is the current The brand offers organisations the Since its launch, the brand has gone
recycling logo, adopted by waste opportunity to incorporate their own national from strength to strength. Today, it has
management organisations or local messages, linking in with their a recognition rate of 65% amongst
throughout the UK. campaigns. Consistent colours are used for consumers and is used by a wide range
each material stream to make it easier for of partners, from local authorities to
consumers to identify where different items retailers. Looking forward, Recycle Now
Called ‘Recycle Now’, the logo was created can be disposed of for recycling. will continue to be used to encourage
in 2004 with the aim of introducing a consumers to recycle a wider range of
new symbol for recycling that was simple, In March 2009, ‘Recycle Now’ was materials and ultimately increase the
consistent and gave a clear call to action. incorporated into many on-pack recycling amount of recycling that is collected.
page 9
www.northwestwaste.org.uk
Get used to
It is one-third of the ‘3Rs’
principal of reduce, reuse
and recycle - but what exactly
do we mean when we talk
about ‘reuse’ in a waste
management context?
There are two excellent online resources –
Freegle and Freecycle – which can be of
great benefit to anyone trying to reuse
waste materials. Freegle is a UK-wide
online community where users can either
post offers for people to take unwanted
goods off their hands, or post everyday
items they’re keen to make use of.
The aim of the group is to keep
anything reusable out of landfill sites.
The basic principle behind the site
is that all offers and requests must
be ‘freegle’ – ie. free and legal (some
groups may have additional guidelines).
Freecycle is another option for getting
items reused rather than throwing them
away. The process is quite straightforward
- just list your items on your local Freecycle
page and if you’re prepared to give them
to someone for free they’ll probably collect
your item from where you live. Freecycle
is also a great way of finding items you
need that someone else would normally
throw away.
It’s in the Bag
Top tips to help you remember are:
Why getting a bag habit is a good habit state of repair should be recycled at carrier
• try keeping a bag tucked in your handbag
Under the sink, under the stairs and in the bag recycling points. Long life reusable bags
or jacket pocket so you’re always
garden shed, bags fill up our cupboards and should be cleaned frequently.
prepared.
bulge out of our household drawers. But have
you noticed there’s one place where you Remembering Your Bags • if you often forget to take your bags with
never have a carrier bag? It’s when you’re It doesn’t matter what type of bag you you, why not put them somewhere
out shopping. This means you’ve got to pick reuse, as long as you take a bag shopping you’re likely to see them? Perhaps near
up even more bags to fill your house up with. with you. By remembering to take your bags your front door?
It’s not just wasteful, it’s really annoying. with you, you’ll
be helping • you can also keep them in the boot of
Reusing Carrier Bags to save the your car so you have them ready for next
Reusing packaging saves natural resources environment by time. Put a note on your dashboard so
and reduces the need for landfill. Taking reducing waste you don’t go into the shop without them.
your own bag when you go shopping will that ends up
help reduce the 10 billion plastic bags that in landfill, and • ask your employer if you can set up a
are handed out by our supermarkets each using less virgin carrier bag dispenser somewhere at
year. We can all help to reduce the amount raw material. work, perhaps in the kitchen. Then,
of plastic carrier bags that are wasted each You’ll also be people can use the bags at lunchtime.
year by reusing them or switching to other reducing the
• children like getting involved, so why
reusable bags. carbon that’s
not ask them to remind you?
used up when
Taking Care of Your Bags bags are being • why not make up a handy memory aid
It is recommended that only clean plastic manufactured. such as ‘KWB’ (Keys, Wallet and Bags).
bags in a good state of repair are used.
Bags contaminated with food or in a bad
page 10www.northwestwaste.org.uk
Reusing
What can I reuse?
Reuse of clothing saves 29kg of carbon • reuse a bottle of water by refilling it
emissions per Kg of clothing compared with more water to drink - saving you
to recycling and 33kg of carbon money in the process.
emissions compared to disposal - so it’s
• reuse lunch boxes for packed lunches.
well worth doing!
• reuse yoghurt pots as paint pots for
In the UK charity shops reuse activity art projects.
alone helps reduce CO2 emissions by
about 2.5 million tonnes per annum. You • reuse by borrowing books from your
can find details of your nearest charity shop school or local library instead of buying
by visiting the Association of Charity Shops. new books.
There are still many items going into landfill
that can be taken to a charity shop or reuse • reuse wrapping paper or posters to
project and sold on. cover your school books.
Charity shops have increased the number • car boot sales are a good way to
and type of items that they accept. Some obtain reused products that would
shops can now accept CDs, DVDs, small otherwise make their way to landfill.
and large electrical appliances, sports
equipment, clothing, computers and baby
equipment. They are great places to pick Get your donations right
up a bargain and help a good cause at the
same time!
As well as these online resources, the tried A great time of year to put the reuse • only donate items that will be wanted
and tested method of taking items to a concept into practice is Halloween – parents and are in a sellable condition.
charity shop continues to be an extremely should always encourage their children to
effective method of reusing. Charity shops make their costumes from recycled clothes. • call and check in advance that the
make perfect sense - items that might Therefore, instead of buying new costumes, shop accepts the items that you want
otherwise be headed for landfill are given children will reuse second hand clothes to donate.
a new lease of life, whilst at the same time to make unique, individually designed and
hand-made costumes which can be reused. • only make donations when the shop is
you are raising money for good causes and
open. Leaving donations on the street
creating employment in your local area.
Through workshops held throughout the can block pavements and lead to
By giving charity shops a chance with North West last year, children and their items being damaged or stolen.
donations and purchases you’re easing parents were encouraged to visit and buy • don’t donate anything that is
the landfill burden, reducing the effects of from their local charity shops and to think damaged, broken or stained.
disposable fashion and giving something about re-modelling existing clothes for
back to your community. costumes and every-day use.
Shopping Around
Reuse shops bring together
all three strands of sustainable
development commitment -
environmental, economic
and social wellbeing.
Environmentally, reuse shops ensure that goods available to the public. www.northwestwaste.org.uk
the life of household furniture is prolonged Socially, it fulfils a valuable role by
rather than prematurely discarded in landfill creating training opportunities for
– thereby saving the planet’s supply of raw local people.
materials needed to produce new products.
Goods are often only waste by virtue of the There are a number of reuse shops
fact that the original owner has had them for throughout the North West region,
a period of time and would like a change. including Refurnish in Limavady and
Coleraine and the Resource Centre, Derry.
But given a new owner and a new home,
the goods effectively become new again.
Economically, reuse shops help reduce
landfill costs on local ratepayers while at
the same time making low cost household
page 11www.northwestwaste.org.uk
The Minister of the Environment, Alex Attwood, joins in during European Week for Waste Reduction by visiting the Love Food Hate Waste kitchen. The
Minister is pictured with two university students trying his hand at cooking some of the delicious ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ recipes made form leftovers
North West joins For more information visit
www.rethinkwasteni.org
Europe for Waste or like us on facebook
www.facebook.com/rethinkwasteni
Reduction
The North West and the rest of 374 actions being undertaken! and learn that items which appear to be
‘unwanted’ and ‘useless’ may in fact serve
Northern Ireland joined with 20 A wide range of the waste reducing actions a purpose after all.
other countries across Europe in took place in the North West area, some of
taking part in an initiative aimed which will hopefully provide you with some Magherafelt town centre also took part by
ideas for reducing waste in your own life. playing host to the ‘ReFound Pop Up Shop’
at raising awareness of ways to which visited the town on the first day of
reduce our waste. Furniture can often be a big contributor EWWR week. The shop basically offered
to landfill and a number of North West people the opportunity to buy a piece of
The European Week for Waste Reduction locations, including Coleraine, Limavady, unique, affordable and fully functional
(EWWR), which focused on highlighting Strabane and Derry/Londonderry, played artwork and remade furniture completed
waste reduction activities across Europe, host to interesting and innovative furniture by professional artists. This was certainly
took place from 19th to 27th November. workshops. These demonstrated easy and an opportunity to pick up a one-of-a-kind
fun ways of updating and restyling (known piece as well as playing your part to divert
People were called on to participate in as ‘upcycling’) your furniture, to make contributions to landfill.
reducing waste, no matter how big or it more modern, more attractive and in
small the action - whether it be on your keeping with your décor at home so that you
own or with your family at home, with your can continue to use it rather than replace it.
local community or with colleagues in work This will have the added bonus of saving
or in school! you the money you would have spent on
new furniture.
The challenge was simple: to reduce your
waste, thereby reducing your contributions Schools in the Coleraine area, meanwhile,
to landfill and also save money while doing were invited to take part in a competition to
so! Many of the most successful actions design and make a Christmas tree ornament
have been simple ones which are easily from a piece of rubbish. This was organised
done on a daily basis all year round, such as by Coleraine Borough Council, assisted
zero waste lunches and printing on double- by a grant from the Department of the
sided paper. Environment’s Rethink Waste campaign.
Across Northern Ireland, including the North As well as diverting rubbish from landfill
West, lots of people took part in the week. and providing homes and schools with
Northern Ireland registered the highest free, homemade decorations, the project
number of actions among the five nations in engaged children to think more about
the British Isles, with an impressive total of rubbish, use their imagination and creativity,
page 12www.northwestwaste.org.uk
Local projects put North West on
Euro map
Two North West projects IEC also distributed reusable water
bottles and waste-free lunch information
have won an award for their in both local primary schools - 110
activities during the recent water bottles were distributed along with
European Week for Waste information on waste-free lunches.
Reduction (EWWR). It ran a ‘waste free lunch’ exercise
The Incredible Edible Cloughmills (IEC) where lunchtime waste was weighed on
initiative was honoured in the Association/ different days during the week to see if
NGO Category category while Cross and there were any reductions in the amount
Passion College, Ballycastle, lifted the of food being thrown away. At the
Educational Establishment prize. same time, the company launched its
‘Incredible Edible Cloughmills’ website,
As part of the project to encourage people raising awareness of smarter shopping,
in the community to think about reducing food ethics and how to use leftovers. The Minister for the Environment, Alex Attwood, with Declan
Donnelly, Recycling and Education Officer at Ballymoney
waste in general, and food waste in Borough Council
particular, Incredible Edible Cloughmills Meanwhile, Cross and Passion College
distributed cotton shopping bags promoting in Ballycastle set up an Eco-Committee
the lovefoodhatewasteni website, in to encourage participation from all ages
conjunction with local shops. in the school. It also created an Eco-
Code competition for pupils with the
People using local shops during the week aim of choosing an ’eco code’ that the
were offered a bag to reduce the need for school could adopt and work towards in
plastic bags and to promote the message of the longer term.
shopping locally, only buying what you need
and reducing food waste in the process. Over two days during the week events
The organisation also distributed food bag were organised to get students to
clips carrying the lovefoodhatewasteni reduce the amount of DVDs and
website information. games which are discarded. The
school encouraged pupils to use a
This was carried out in conjunction with local swap-scheme to get them thinking
shops and for every £5 spent during the about finding ways of avoiding waste
week, customers received a clip. Can lids and, at the same time, consider the
The Minister for the Environment, Alex Attwood, with Cross and
were also distributed, via shops and schools, consequences of what this type of Passion College teachers Nuala Devlin and Padraig Toner and
which were designed to help reduce food waste does to the environment. pupils Ronan McClafferty and Brenda McMullan
waste as consumers using them can store
opened tinned foods in fridges. With an eye to food packaging waste,
the school promoted the use of food
IEC also ran a competition to win a and snacks with less packaging.
specially commissioned ‘Incredible Edible And in lessons, students learned
Cloughmills’ apron - every customer about landfill sites and the associated
purchasing goods locally was given one environmental impact.
entry into a draw for an apron.
page 13www.northwestwaste.org.uk
What goes in the blue bin?
NEW
Aerosols Plastic raw meat trays
Cartons (trays that have raw chicken,
Food tins and drink cans raw beef, raw pork or raw fish)
Large tins Shredded paper
Mixed paper & card Nappies
Plastic bottles & plastic Tissues
food containers T.V.s, microwaves, computer
Textile monitors (nothing with glass)
Small electrical appliances General rubbish, plastic bags
or food waste
Mixed glass bottles & jars
(see table below) Continental quilts
Please ensure materials are empty, washed out and
clean. For small appliances, nothing larger than a
domestic toaster. For textiles, bring to your nearest
charity collection point or put in your blue bin.
What each council’s blue bin CAN & CAN’T take
COUNCIL Aerosols Cartons Food Large Tins Mixed Plastic Textiles Small Mixed
Tins & Paper Bottles & Electrical Glass
Drink Cans & Card Plastic appliances bottles
Food and jars
Containers
Ballymoney Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes
Coleraine Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Derry City Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Limavady Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Magherafelt Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes
Moyle Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Strabane Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No
page 14www.northwestwaste.org.uk
Talking technology
It is a familiar message but one Until now the most common method of Councillor Evelyne Robinson, NWRWMG
dealing with unrecyclable waste has been chairman, said:
that is definitely worth repeating. to send it to landfill sites but, due to the
The North West as a region – implementation of the EU landfill diversion “This is one of the largest and most
and Northern Ireland as a whole rates and other environmental factors, this complex procurement projects
– must dramatically reduce its has got to change.
ever undertaken in the North
reliance on landfill. To this end, the NWRWMG has been West and will radically modernise
managing a £500m public procurement and improve the region’s waste
As the statistics and tables on page 9 show, exercise – one of the biggest the region has
households throughout the North West are
management effort.
seen – to deliver new waste management
adhering to the 3Rs principle of ‘reduce, facilities for the area which will reduce the
reuse and recycle’ with the recycling rate for environmental impact of waste and ensure “The technologies employed at the
the area increasing and the overall amount new waste facilities will bring the
the region meets the EU waste targets.
of waste being produced falling. This proves North West in to line with those
that great strides are being made and Launched in February 2009, the European countries at the forefront
that people are increasingly viewing waste bidder through to the final stage of the in dealing with unrecyclable waste
materials as a potential resource rather than process is waste specialist consortium,
an unwanted by-product. and ensure we avoid potentially
comprising Brickkiln/United Utilities/
Sisk. The Consortium has put forward severe EU fines for failing to reduce
While it is essential the North West public detailed proposals on its plans to develop our reliance on landfill.
continues to drive up the recycling rate, the a combination of Mechanical Biological
fact is that, there is some waste that simply Treatment (MBT) and Energy Recovery “The NWRWMG has carefully
cannot be recycled. That waste which is technologies to treat waste which can’t be managed the procurement process
left in your black bags and wheelie bins recycled and the NWRWMG is currently
because it cannot be recycled or composted evaluating those proposals. since it was launched at the start
is called residual municipal waste and it is of 2009, closely scrutinising each
the NWRWMG’s responsibility to deliver the bid at every stage of the process
most environmentally-friendly and cost- to ensure we can achieve the most
effective solution for dealing with this waste. economically advantageous waste
management solution for
the region.
“We look forward to announcing
WATER VAPOUR
& C02 more details later this year, with
the new waste facilities set to be
operational before the end of 2014.”
RESIDUE FOR The European Landfill Directive requires
RESIDUAL FURTHER
TREATMENT that by 2020 the amount of material being
WASTE IN
sent to landfill must be reduced to just 35%
of 1995 levels. NWRWMG is also seeking
to raise recycling and composting rates
MECHANICAL throughout the region from the current level
RECYCLABLE
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS of 35% to at least 50%, also by 2020.
TREATMENT
SYSTEM
WASTE WATER
TO SEWER
REJECT FRACTION
TO LANDFILL
For more information on the technologies involved in the new waste
management facilities which are set to be introduced to the North West, visit
www.northwestwaste.orguk/future-of-waste-resource-management
page 15www.northwestwaste.org.uk
ACTIVITY SECTION An important element of the message which
the North West Region Waste Management
Group wants to convey to the households
is that teenagers and children have a key
role to play in the waste management effort.
It is important that you realise that it is your
future that is at stake and which can be
improved by ensuring that waste materials
are considered as potential resources.
So we are appealing to children and
teenagers throughout the North West
region to help your parents, big brothers
or sisters, aunties, uncles or grandparents
when they are dealing with the waste
materials at home. Always try to keep
thinking of the 3Rs principle of ‘reduce,
reuse and recycle’ and make sure that as
much of your household waste as possible
gets recycled or composted.
And it is not just at home where you can
contribute to waste management – you
should also be thinking about the 3Rs
when at school, playing with friends or
when taking part in any after-school
Across Down activities. Speak to your teacher if there are
any questions you would like to ask about
1 What is the third element of the 3Rs principle 1 The chairman of the NWRWMG is Evelyne? recycling and do not be afraid to make
– ‘reduce, reuse and…? 2 The Government department responsible for suggestions if you have any ideas about
3 What is the name for the inexpensive and overseeing the waste management effort in what you can do in the classroom to learn
natural process that transforms kitchen and Northern Ireland is called the Department more about waste materials and recycling.
garden waste into nutrient-rich food for of the ……..
your garden? 10 Name one online To help get you thinking
4 One of the waste management technologies resource that is of about specific areas of waste
set to be introduced to the North West region benefit when
is called Energy ….. ? seeking to reuse
management, why not have a go
5 Waste collected in wheelie bins which cannot waste materials. at completing our Waste Watch
be recycled is called …….. municipal waste crossword. There are 12 clues
6 It is important that we consider waste not as or questions, the answers to
an unwanted by-product, but as a …? which can all be found either on
7 The North West Region Waste Management the pages of this magazine or
Group (NWRWMG) is made up of how many
councils? ……..?
at the NWRWMG’s website. The
8 The current recycling logo is called
completed crossword can be
‘Recycle …? found on our website at www.
9 The North West Region Waste Management northwestwaste.org, but try not
Group (NWRWMG) must send less waste to check the answers until you
to ……..?
have tried to find them yourself.
11 The European-wide initiative aimed at raising
awareness of ways to reduce waste is called
Good luck!
the European Week for Waste …..?
Supported by:
028 7137 0808
www.northwestwaste.org.uk
Ballymoney Borough Council: 028 2766 0200,Coleraine Borough Council: 028 7034 7272, Derry City Council: 028 7136 5151,
Limavady Borough Council: 028 7772 2226, Magherafelt District Council: 028 7939 7979, Moyle District Council: 028 2076 2225,
Strabane District Council: 028 7138 2204, NWRWMG: 028 7137 0808
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