PSWMC - Changing the way we work

A carbon calculator has been developed which provides detailed information on the CO₂ equivalent savings that certain changes in waste management behavior in the workplace offer.  It also has the added benefit of helping organisations to identify additional ways  to work in a greener way.

The online tool has been provided by the Public Sector Waste Minimisation Campaign in Wales and will be available to all organisations working in the sector – including local authorities, educational establishments and hospitals.Users can download the calculator and input the current quantities of waste generated by their organisation according to materials used, the way they are disposed of and the distance to the disposal facilities.  Using this information, the calculator will display the amount of CO₂ equivalent that will be generated and help identify priority areas where potential reductions can be made.  Gwynedd Local Service Board has been one of the first organisations in Wales to benefit from using the tool.

Gwynedd LSB Carbon Footprint Project Manager Sian Myrddin, said, “Using the carbon calculator we have been able to identify the waste carbon footprint of an organisation, giving us a baseline to start from and allowing us to set targets to work towards. We previously used life cycle analysis tools to establish the amount of waste being generated, but they were much more complicated.

The carbon calculator has simplified the calculation for us.” The Public Sector Waste Minimisation Campaign in Wales, which is run by Envirowise, is intended to promote greater environmental efficiency in public sector organisations large and small throughout Wales. 

Envirowise public sector programme manager Ann Stevenson said: “The carbon calculator is a useful tool which provides an indication of the carbon savings that can be achieved by taking relatively small steps to reduce the amount of waste generated in the workplace.” "Many public sector organisations are already demonstrating their commitment to the environment, and striving to meet the targets set out in the National Waste Strategy for Wales. We would urge others to follow their example and make the necessary steps to reduce their waste too.”