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You are here: CIWM  >  Publications  >  Latest News  >  CIWM In Northern Ireland Takes Action To Reduce Waste

CIWM In Northern Ireland Takes Action To Reduce Waste

5 December 2011

CIWM joined around 250 organisations in Northern Ireland, including businesses, schools, councils, charities and retailers, in taking part in this year's European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR)

Running from 19-27 November 2011, the week focused on highlighting waste reduction activities across Europe and raising awareness of ways in which everyone can reduce the waste they create.

CIWM Centre Council held a paperless meeting on the week itself whilst the Northern Ireland Office showed that it was leading by example with the following actions:

  • Changing all printers to double sided
  • Procuring a new printer with energy saving technology & draft printing capability to reduce ink use
  • Using pre-printed sheets for rough workings
  • Are updating the database with E-Mail addresses to avoid future mass postage costs
  • Reusing envelopes
  • Reusing badges for future conferences & events

Projects that were undertaken by participating organisations ranged from a one-man office pledging to switch to double-sided printing, to Love Food Hate Waste cookery demonstrations, which attracted hundreds of people.

In all, 374 different activities are taking place throughout Northern Ireland this year. All 26 local councils are taking part and are making changes within both their own offices and throughout their council areas. Twenty-one schools have also taken up the challenge and are looking at ways they can reduce their waste, and at the same time, save money in the long term.

Environment Minister Alex Attwood said: "I am delighted to see that these organisations are leading by example and reducing waste. I applaud their efforts, especially as this demonstrates that everyone can take action to reduce their own waste. "

"European Week for Waste Reduction is an important awareness raising tool to increase public awareness of the high levels of waste here in Northern Ireland, and I would encourage everyone to join in with their own individual waste reduction activities during the week, and try to incorporate these new habits as part of our lifestyles ."

For further information on the week visit: www.rethinkwasteni.org/ewwr , follow us on www.facebook.com/rethinkwasteni or email ewwr2011@wrap.org.uk .

Darrel Moore

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