European Week for Waste Reduction
Northern Ireland takes action to reduce waste
Around 250 organisations in Northern Ireland, including businesses, schools, councils, charities and retailers, signed up to take 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.
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 activitiestook place throughout Northern Ireland this year. All 26 local councils took part and made changes within both their own offices and throughout their council areas. Twenty one schools also took up the challenge and looked 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."
Keep an eye out for the winners of the Northern Ireland Awards in each Project Developer category, which will be announced in January 2012.
For further information on the week visit: www.ewwr.eu, follow us on www.facebook.com/rethinkwasteni or email ewwr2011@wrap.org.uk.
If you would like to see how Northern Ireland got on in EWWR 2011, please click here for a short presentation.
