News
Gwynedd Council wastes no time in recycling
10 March 2009
Gwynedd County Council has wasted no time in reducing the amount it throws away - thanks to a grant enabling them to purchase a cardboard baler.
The Welsh Assembly Government’s Resource Efficiency Equipment Fund, managed by Envirowise, has been made available to help public sector organisations buy equipment that will assist them in reducing their use of resources, and/or reusing and recycling them.
Gwynedd County Council used the grant of just over £3000 to buy the baler to help it increase its recycling rates and reduce waste disposal costs. In the first five months the baler saved almost six tonnes of cardboard from going to landfill.
Mr Gwyn Morris-Jones, Head of Highways and Municipal Service, said: “Gwynedd County Council is fully committed to minimising the impact it has on the environment. The grant has helped us increase our cardboard recycling rate and led us to look at ways we can extend our recycling facilities at other office locations.
In addition, the council is developing a recycling centre in Caernarfon, which will be able to receive and process the cardboard, as well as deal with plastics.
Ann Stevenson, Envirowise public sector programme manager in Wales, said: “The grant is helping public sector organisations in Wales achieve great results in reducing waste which in turn also helps them save money by cutting down on how much they need to spend on waste disposal.
‘‘Gwynedd County Council is a fantastic example of an organisation that is doing this. Their example should inspire other organisations to change the way they work to reduce their environmental impact and avoid creating unnecessary waste.’’
Welsh public sector organisation wishing to apply for a grant can do so by applying on-line at:
http://walespublicsector.envirowise.gov.uk/ <http://walespublicsector.envirowise.gov.uk/>
Ann added, "We welcome all applications, large or small, and they will be judged on their individual merits. All applicants will also have had to complete a waste production survey, which will give us useful information going forward. Information on the survey can be found at http://walespublicsector.envirowise.gov.uk/welcome-to-wales-public-sector-waste-production-survey/ <http://walespublicsector.envirowise.gov.uk/welcome-to-wales-public-sector-waste-production-survey/>
In addition to this public sector initiative, Envirowise also helps businesses in Wales to become more sustainable in their use of resources.
