SPRING 2012

Rethink Waste www.northwestwaste.org.uk

Welcome AT A On behalf of the North West GLANCE 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 PAGE PAGE40 Household waste recycled and region. Work can then commence on composted as a percentage of the delivery of Mechanical Biological 4-8 359 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 management work being carried out by are taking the 3Rs principle on board and yet cost-effective, waste solution. 35 Percentage of municipal waste each of the NWRWMG’s seven constituent helping tosent increase for recycling andboth composting the household councils, from getting creative on recycling30 as and a percentage composting of the total rate and the Regular readers of Waste Watch will the beach at Limavady to daily living municipalmunicipal recycling waste arisings and composting rate. know that the 3Rs principle of ‘reduce, adjustments in . 25

reuse and recycle’ forms a major part of 20 the waste management message which PAGE PAGE15 the NWRWMG and our constituent 10-11 12-13 councils deliver to households. In this 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 constituent councils is a key element 198,00 of the NWRWMG’s approach to the 196,000 194,000 waste management effort and, as 192,000 ever, we have taken the opportunity to 190,000 32.5% highlight some of the great work the A round-up of some of the European An in-depth look at what exactly we Week for Waste Reduction initiatives mean188,000 when we talk about ‘reuse’ in a seven councils are doing to spread the which took place throughout the North waste186,000 management 31.6%context, examining

3Rs message and help boost recycling West region with the aim of raising the184,000 various waste products which can be awareness of ways to reduce our waste. used and the Municipalmost wasteeffective growth rate techniques percentage levels. And it seems that message is 182,000 28.3% being received as recent figures reveal for reusing. 40% 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. Year *BMW Land Filled BMW Allowance Target Met So, keep up the good30% work, but 2005/06 95,480 128,839 √ 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 2009/10 74,958 89,283 √ – please get in touch with us if you 2010/11 70,283 89,460 √ would like to discuss further20% any element of the NWRWMG’s waste 2009/10 management approach. 2008/09 2007/08 We realise that it is not always easy to An 2006/07update on the £500m public Chairman, remember exactly what materials can2005/06 procurement exercise to deliver new and4% cannot go into your blue recycling waste management facilities for the Cllr Evelyne Robinson 2004/05 bin. So we have2003 included our regular region, which NWRWMG is co-ordinating. reminder and an updated list of blue bin-friendly2002 materials.

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visit: www.recyclenow.com/compost www.northwestwaste.org.uk

NWRWMG Joint Committee MOYLE 2011/12 COLERAINE Councillors

Ballymoney Borough Council BALLYMONEY Alderman Cecil Cousley LIMAVADY Councillor Evelyne Robinson Coleraine Borough Council Councillor William King Councillor George Duddy MAGHERAFELT Derry City Council STRABANE Councillor Michael Cooper Councillor Shaun Gallagher Alderman Jack Rankin Alderman Michael Coyle Magherafelt District Council Councillor Sean McPeake Councillor Kathleen Lagan Contact Us: Councillor Catherine McCambridge NWRWMG, 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 [email protected] www.northwestwaste.org.uk

Management Plan WASTE HIERARCHY The NWRWMG was formed in Since 2000 the NWRWMG has made 1999, when it was decided by significant investments in facilities and 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 MANAGEMENT the most effective method of Centres and Bring Sites in the region and PREPARING today the Group has 109 such centres. In FOR deciding how best to deal with addition 129,000 households have blue bins RESIDUES RE-USE 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 () 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 RECOVERY collection of organic materials. EG. ENERGY Joint Committee. RECOVERY The objectives and targets of the NI Waste A Waste Management Plan was prepared Management Strategy can be represented OTHER which has evolved over time and offers in the Waste Management Hierarchy, as DISPOSAL the potential not only to reduce the illustrated in the diagram. The hierarchy EXCEPT environmental impact of current waste LANDFILL 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. development. LANDFILL

page 3 www.northwestwaste.org.uk ColeraineColeraine compostcompost getsgets sealseal ofof approvalapproval

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 reaches high temperatures. The next stage of development for Coleraine compost producers are inspected annually. Borough Council’s composting operation is Every year producers must continue to meet “This means any harmful bacteria to create a finer grade of compost, resulting the high PAS 100 standards and have their 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 size of the compost, giving us a Coleraine Borough Council’s composting recycling sites in Coleraine, Portrush, 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 to support a new innovative design forms part of the challenge, with of sustainability, while giving them 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 examples of some of the pieces designed will feature regional semi-finals across all during the ERP Junk Kouture competition last year four provinces, culminating in the grand 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 [email protected], visit the facebook page at www.facebook.com/junkkouture or log on to www.erpjunkkouture.com

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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 bid to improve environmental very effectively and makes good use of to have purchased new bins. ‘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 reduce our waste. Alley Theatre and the council offices. Throughout the council buildings, an email 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 District Council Magherafelt also sent the lowest percentage schools took part in the junk art workshops of municipal solid waste to landfill in and used their own rubbish to make is continuing its 2010/11, landfilling just over 42% of its Halloween masks. recent excellent total waste. This puts the council on course performance in recycling and to meet not just its 2012/13 targets under Councillor Milne explained: 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 landfill. Now the council also wants Councillor Ian Milne, Chairman of Magherafelt The council has been proud of its recycling to look at ways of reducing and and composting record in recent years, as District Council, stressed the importance to 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 the possibility of huge fines and However, thanks to processing its own 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 Junk Mail has now continued for almost 12 months 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 Declan Donnelly, Recycling and Education Officer at people feel increasingly isolated and 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 is yes. What started as a week-long We are losing our connection with the world home – a series of mail around us. Advertising almost convinces us experiment has now become a way of life. 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 rather than what we have to. We are getting the better. Unfortunately, a 52-inch screen of your family have any need or super fast broadband will not enhance to know people in our shops, building a 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 This is obviously creating extra waste one where we reduce waste, connect with at times. I now have five shirts and a pair of materials that you and the environment others and lead more fulfilled lives? jeans in my wardrobe thanks to ‘charity shop 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, • Register with the Mailing Preference this road with me. We decided to follow it’s actually quite satisfying as well as Service at www.mpsonline.org.uk/ some simple principles: cheaper than using our car. 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. new things all the time. We are supporting • Use charity shops more often [email protected]) 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. • Purchase loose items or those with and address; ensure you indicate 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 • Reduce car use to other marketing agencies. 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 40 Household waste recycled and composted as a percentage of 35 household waste arisings

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35 Percentage of municipal waste 40 Household waste recycled and sent for recycling and composting composted as a percentage of 30 as a percentage of the total 35 household waste arisings municipal waste arisings 25 30

25 www.northwestwaste.org.uk 20 20 15 15 10 10 5 5 On board with0 the 3Rs0

As most of you will be aware, 198,00 40 Household waste recycled and 35 Percentage of municipal waste there are two main facets to composted as a percentage of 196,000 sent for recycling and composting 35 household waste arisings the NWRWMG’s approach to the 30 as a percentage of the total 194,000 municipal waste arisings 30 waste management programme. 192,000 25 25 190,000 One is overseeing the £500m public 20 procurement exercise to deliver new 188,000 20 waste management facilities for the area. 186,000 1515 184,000 More details about this project, one of the Municipal waste growth rate percentage 1010 largest public procurement exercises ever 182,000 5 undertaken in the North West, are provided 180,000 5 178,000 0 on page 15. 0 The other major focus of the Group’s work is the promotion of the 3Rs principle – we are constantly striving to encourage people to ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’ as many Year *BMW Land Filled BMW Allowance Target Met 198,0035 Percentage of municipal waste materials as possible. 2005/06 95,480 128,839 √ sent for recycling and composting 2006/07 The figures 104,257also show that 123,745the amount √ 196,00030 as a percentage of the total 2007/08 98,763 121,306 municipal waste arisings You, the public, obviously have a major role of biodegradable municipal waste sent to √ 194,000 to play in this – and recent statistics prove 2008/09landfill in the 89,558NWRWMG area 118,847 was well √ 25 2009/10 74,958 89,283 √ 192,000 that the you are taking the 3Rs message within its allowance, while the total amount 2010/11 70,283 89,460 √ 190,00020 of municipal waste arising in the Group in on board. 188,000 2010/11 was 184,798. The level of waste 15 As the graphs and table illustrate, the growth reduction has a significant effect 186,000 recycling rate for the area is increasing, the 184,00010 on environmental impacts, costs and the Municipal waste growth rate percentage 182,000 overall amount of waste being produced is amount of disposal infrastructure needed to 5 falling and the landfill diversion targets are meet the EU landfill diversion targets. 180,000 being met. 178,0000 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 2005/06 95,480 128,839 2008/9 to 35.7% in 2010/11, while the resource rather than an unwanted by product. 196,000 √ Municipal Recycling and Composting Rate 2006/07 104,257 123,745 √ 194,000 has increased from 31.6% in 2008/9 to 2007/08 98,763 121,306 √ 192,0002008/09 89,558 118,847 √ 34.6% in 2010/11. www.northwestwaste.org.uk 2009/10 74,958 89,283 √ 190,000 2010/11 70,283 89,460 √ 188,000

186,000

184,000 Municipal waste growth rate percentage 182,000

180,000 Brand 178,000

awareness Year *BMW Land Filled BMW Allowance Target Met Consumers quickly engaged with the labels.2005/06 This communicates 95,480 a simple 128,839 √ Have a close look at the two 2006/07 104,257 123,745 √ new logo, commenting that it was simple recycling message on both retail logos above. You will no doubt 2007/08 98,763 121,306 √ and descriptive and says clearly: ‘I love own-label2008/09 and branded89,558 consumer 118,847 √ recognise both of them and most recycling’. Local authorities soon began packaging2009/10 to help74,958 consumers 89,283recycle √ of you will be well aware that the to adopt it. more2010/11 materials, 70,283more 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 Reusing

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

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What can I reuse?

Get used to Reusing 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 • only make donations when the shop is you are raising money for good causes and hand-made costumes which can be reused. 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

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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

For more information visit North West joins www.rethinkwasteni.org or like us on facebook Europe for Waste www.facebook.com/rethinkwasteni Reduction

The North West and the rest of 374 actions being undertaken! and learn that items which appear to be Northern Ireland joined with 20 ‘unwanted’ and ‘useless’ may in fact serve 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 12 www.northwestwaste.org.uk

Local projects put North West on Euro map

Two North West projects IEC also distributed reusable water have won an award for their bottles and waste-free lunch information 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 consequences of what this type of The Minister for the Environment, Alex Attwood, with Cross and were also distributed, via shops and schools, 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 13 www.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 14 www.northwestwaste.org.uk Talking technology

It is a familiar message but one Until now the most common method of Councillor Evelyne Robinson, NWRWMG that is definitely worth repeating. dealing with unrecyclable waste has been chairman, said: 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 management effort. households throughout the North West are 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 “The technologies employed at the environmental impact of waste and ensure new waste facilities will bring the the area increasing and the overall amount 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, and ensure we avoid potentially an unwanted by-product. 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 since it was launched at the start because it cannot be recycled or composted evaluating those proposals. 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 FURTHER RESIDUAL that by 2020 the amount of material being WASTE IN TREATMENT sent to landfill must be reduced to just 35% of 1995 levels. NWRWMG is also seeking to raise recycling and composting rates MECHANICAL RECYCLABLE throughout the region from the current level 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

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visit: www.recyclenow.com/compost

visit: www.recyclenow.com/compost www.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 management, why not have a go is called Energy ….. ? seeking to reuse 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 at the NWRWMG’s website. The councils? ……..? completed crossword can be 8 The current recycling logo is called ‘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 Good luck! awareness of ways to reduce waste is called 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 page 16