PSWMC - Changing the way we work

The campaign has been set up to encourage organisations in the sector to cut their output of waste, which reduces the size of their carbon footprint.  The main focus of the Council’s effort has been to reduce the organisation’s carbon emissions. Central to their efforts has been the engagement of staff and the embedding of sustainable practices as part of their day-to-day work routine. ‘Green Teams’ have been set up in nine main Council buildings and the Council hopes to engage all of its 9000 staff, regardless of their role, in their initiative. Increasing the number of recycling bins, replacing plastic cups with glass ones and promoting cycling to work are among the key changes implemented by the teams. The Teams also identified the need to reduce the number of printers as a priority issue, and the Council’s IT Services has since initiated a rationalisation process that has removed over 160 printers in 4 office buildings to-date.  Their efforts have been a great success in helping to deliver total financial savings of over £1million and CO2 emissions reductions almost 7000 tonnes. 

 Carmarthenshire County Council’s Executive Board – Business Manager, Cllr Pam Palmer  said, “We’re absolutely thrilled to have been selected as the latest Green Star of the campaign. The Green Teams initiative has captured the enthusiasm of staff who have personal commitment to sustainability but haven’t previously had much involvement. This initiative has helped make it a legitimate part of their work. “With such a large number of staff, one of the main barriers could easily have been communication. However, as well as our website and newsletters, we have also utilised the local media and even held an Eco Fairs to raise awareness of this vital issue.”  

The Welsh Assembly Public Sector Waste Minimisation Campaign is being delivered by Envirowise.

Ann Stevenson, Envirowise public sector programme director in Wales, said: “We want to highlight the good work that has been done by people or teams in the public sector to reduce waste and help their organisation save money and resources. There are many who have already changed the way they work to avoid creating waste and reduced environmental impact in the process and Carmarthenshire County Council, is a fantastic example of one of these Green Stars.”