News
Monday 11 June 2007
Get Ready For The Waste Wise Armadale Project
Wise up about waste! That’s the message that will be going out to the West Lothian community of Armadale when an exciting new waste prevention project focusing on the town starts next week.
From Monday 18 June The Waste Wise Armadale Project gets underway, with the aim of diverting 200 tonnes of household waste - the weight of one blue whale - from landfill in one year. To illustrate to the community how much waste the average household in Scotland produces each year, a display featuring 1.1 tonnes of rubbish will form part of the Armadale Gala Day parade on Saturday 16 June.
The Waste Wise Armadale Project has been developed by the sustainable development charity Changeworks, in partnership with West Lothian Council, to encourage householders in Armadale to decrease the amount of waste they produce by following the three Rs – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. The challenge for Armadale residents is to get as good at reducing and reusing as they are at recycling.
“Each household in Scotland produces waste equivalent in weight to that of a small family car – and that figure is increasing by up to two per cent a year,” said Ian Smith, Senior Projects Manager at Changeworks. “Although we are getting really good at recycling; and at 30 per cent Armadale’s current rates are better than the national average of 25 per cent, we need to get better at reducing and reusing. That’s what this project aims to do.
“If every household in Armadale decreases its waste by just 1kg a week - the equivalent weight of a couple of boxes of cereal - we can stop more than 200 tonnes of waste from ending up in landfill.”
Every household in Armadale will receive a useful booklet, packed with handy hints and easy actions, to help them play their part in the Project. More than 1,000 households will also receive a ‘doorstep conversation’ with a project worker to discuss various opportunities for waste prevention, based on the household’s values and interests.
“The Waste Wise Armadale Project will really put the spotlight on our community,” added Armadale Community Council Chairman Alec Horne. “I’d like to encourage everyone to get behind it, so Armadale can become a leading light in Scotland on waste prevention, as well as a better place to live. A little bit from everyone is a lot for Armadale.”
For information about The Waste Wise Armadale Project, please contact Changeworks on: 0131 555 4010 or wastewisearmadale.org.uk or visit:www.changeworks.org.uk
WASTE FACTS:
The average household throws away £250 - £400 of edible food per year
70% of household waste ends up in landfill
West Lothian Council collects over 110,000 tonnes of waste each year
Scotland spends c. £250 million a year collecting, processing and disposing of waste
Rotting material in landfill sites produces 40% of the methane generated in the UK
Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, which contributes to global climate change
SIX SIMPLE STEPS TO REDUCE YOUR WASTE:
1. Be a smart shopper:
a. reuse bags or get a ‘bag for life’
b. plan your shopping and buy only what you need
c. choose loose fruit and veggies
d. resist the temptation of Buy One Get One Free offers
2. Reclaim your doorstep – stop unwanted mail
3. Start home composting
4. Change to real nappies
5. Use libraries and Freecycle.org
6. Buy from and donate to charity shops and reuse projects
Contact:
Helen Peacock
Marketing and Communications Manager
Changeworks
T: 0131 555 4010
hpeacock@changeworks.org.uk
Notes to Editors:
1. Changeworks exists to improve quality of life and to protect the environment. We work with passion, integrity and in collaboration to develop and deliver innovative projects and businesses in energy, waste prevention and transport that inspire and empower people and communities to make a difference.
2. CHANGEWORKS Resources for Life Ltd. is a company registered as a charity in Scotland and limited by guarantee. Charity No. SC015144. Company No. SC103904. Registered Office: 36 Newhaven Road, Edinburgh EH6 5PY. VAT Reg. No. 703521966.
