European campaign has important message
The European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR) 21 - 29 Nov 2009.
The European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR) has kicked off with Oxfordshire councils keen to spread the message to adults and children alike. Across Oxfordshire primary school children will find out how home composting is a great way to reduce the amount of waste they throw in the bin and will run their own experiments by making mini-composters. EWWR is a three year project supported by the European Commission and this year runs from the 21st to the 29th November. The idea of the week is to promote sustainable waste reduction actions across Europe encouraging all Europeans to change their behaviour around consumption and production.
Alan MacNaughton works on the Oxfordshire Waste Partnership (OWP) funded Wild Waste Show, he says: “It’s important to teach children the increasing problem we have with waste and engage with them in an interesting way. I’ll be working with some of Oxfordshire’s Master Composter volunteers and getting children to rummage in the compost bin seeking out the mini-beasts. It’s not just a favourite with the kids: I love getting my hands dirty too!”
It seems the waste reduction message is hitting home with adults too. Yet again Oxford is one of the best places in the country for throwing less away. Recently released figures from DEFRA (the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) for 2008/09 show that not only has Oxford City Council maintained its position as having the lowest household waste arising per head in the South East, it has jumped from fifth last year to third nationwide.
Cllr John Tanner is chair of OWP and also the Board Member for a Cleaner, Greener Oxford. He says: “It’s important to recycle, but much more important not to produce the rubbish in the first place. By promoting composting and encouraging people to throw less food away through the Love Food Hate Waste campaign we are committed to driving down the amount of waste we send to landfill. What’s really great news is to see that Oxford is one of the leading authorities in the UK: well done to all our residents!”
Alan MacNaughton and the Wild Waste Show visited two schools with Master Composters during the EWWR – New Hinksey Primary in Oxford on the 24th, and Grove Church of England on the 26th.
During 2008/09 Oxford City Council collected 298.77kg per head compared with 313.25kg the previous year.
Updated waste management figures were released earlier this month and show municipal waste statistics for all English local authorities. Details can be found on the DEFRA website.
The EWWR follows increasing emphasis placed on preventing waste under the revised Waste Framework Directive, which sets the ground rules for waste across Europe and is due to be implemented into UK law by December 12, 2010. All EU Member States, including the UK, will be required to work on preventing waste. More details on EWWR.
