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Pledge 4 Plastics features in EU Waste Reduction Week events

Councils across the UK are gearing up to participate in the sixth annual European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR) which will see waste reduction initiatives carried out in over 25 countries across the continent.

The Week will run from November 22 to 30 2014 and is designed to raise awareness of waste reduction strategies and policies of the European Union. It is also intended to encourage local authorities and businesses to introduce sustainable waste reduction schemes.

The week runs from November 22 to 29
The week runs from November 22 to 29

EWWR was launched in 2009 by the European Commissions Life+ Programme (see letsrecycle.com story). It was conceived as a means of emphasising the importance of waste reduction as part of the Waste Framework Directive which was published in 2008.

The waste reduction week was originally set to run for only three years as the funding ended in June 2012. However, owing to past success it was renewed under the patronage of then European Commissioner for the Environment, Janez Potocnik.

Pledge 4 Plastics

Councils taking part in the initiative this year include Cherwell council, which is using the week to promote the Pledge 4 Plastics campaign, through a series of roadshows.

Pledge 4 Plastics is a government-backed campaign led by the plastics recycling body Recoup which aims to increase the amount of plastic packaging that is recycling in the UK. The initiative has been supported by a cross industry partnership including local authorities, retailers, brands and recycling companies (see letsrecycle.com story).

Members of Cherwell’s green team will hold evening events in Banbury, Bicester and Kidlington to promote the initiative and discuss householder’s waste, recycling and energy issues.

Cllr Tony Ilott, the council’s lead member for clean and green, said: “Residents who come along and pledge to recycle more plastic items will be given a host of recycling freebies and goodies including a food caddy and free liners. There is a lot of confusion surrounding which plastics can and can’t be recycled so this will be a chance for residents to ask officers directly and obtain a better understanding of the little steps they can take to reduce their carbon footprint.

“Residents who come along and pledge to recycle more plastic items will be given a host of recycling freebies and goodies including a food caddy and free liners. There is a lot of confusion surrounding which plastics can and can’t be recycled so this will be a chance for residents to ask officers directly and obtain a better understanding of the little steps they can take to reduce their carbon footprint.”

Elsewhere, in Belfast, the city council is hosting a fashion weekend to coincide with the Waste Reduction Week, which will feature 30 stalls selling crafts, art and fashion. Workshops promoting the use of recycled materials will be facilitated by local designers and artists. Participants will work on four creative installations using items such as scrap metal, porcelain, clothing rags and vintage material.

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