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Survey highlights Wales Public Sector commitment to waste reduction
2 February 2010
A survey of public sector organisations in Wales has shown that despite the financial savings that can be made from effective waste management, over half said the cost of implementing the necessary changes was the main barrier to their plans to cut waste.
Over 50% of the organisations that completed the Waste Production Survey cited the high costs of purchasing recycling equipment and the training of staff as the greatest obstacles to waste minimisation. A lack of local recycling facilities and a shortage of waste collection companies were also high on the list.
The on-line survey was carried out by Envirowise who manage the Public Sector Waste Minimisation Campaign on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government. The aim of the survey was to find out how public sector organisations acquire, use and dispose of materials and build a clearer picture of the sector’s ecological footprint.
Ann Stevenson, Envirowise public sector programme manager in Wales, said: “Limited resources and increased financial constraints are barriers for many Welsh public sector organisations in reducing waste and this survey plays an important role in providing us with a deeper understanding of this.
“It also provides an invaluable insight into the good work that’s going on to reduce waste and into those areas where further improvements are required. The findings help with the implementation of an effective waste minimisation programme and will aid the development of future waste policies and strategies of the Welsh Assembly Government.”
The survey also showed that although 45% of waste is recycled, it is estimated that an extra 50,000 tonnes of paper, card, metal, food waste, plastic and wood could be diverted away from landfill if they were effectively segregated.
Ann added, “There is help available to achieve this and the Public Sector Waste Minimisation Campaign can offer advice, tools and support to organisations looking at in house waste reduction. We also manage a capital grant scheme which offers financial assistance across the sector.”
