Wexford Waste Awareness Week to highlight supports available to the People of Wexford in the fight against waste.
• Wexford Waste Awareness Week will take place from December 7 - 11, 2020.
• Environmental Award Winners also to be announced during this week.
There has been a 7% decrease in the amount of waste going to landfill in Wexford in the three year period between 2016 and 2019, and while 79% of households in Wexford avail of a waste collection service, just one third of these householders use a three bin service.
Wexford County Council believes that while progress is being made locally when it comes to waste management, there is still room for significant improvement.
Providing information and tips that will help the Model County reduce its waste production is just one of the driving forces behind Wexford Waste Awareness Week, which begins on Monday next December 7, 2020.
The five day virtual event organised by Wexford County Council, in association with the Southern Regional Waste Management Planning Office, will highlight the role of the county’s s four Household Recycling Centres, inform citizens on what they can do to correctly dispose of their waste, and will provide up-to-date information on reusing, reducing and recycling.
During the inaugural Wexford Waste Awareness Week, Wexford County Council will also unveil the winners of this year’s Wexford County Council Environmental Awards. These annual awards recognise the voluntary groups, community organisations and schools that work towards a cleaner Wexford and greener environment.
Wexford County Council Acting Director of Services, Housing, Community, Libraries, Arts, Emergency Services, Environment & Climate Change Carolyne Godkin, explained that Wexford Waste Awareness Week is not just about highlighting and celebrating what groups and householders are doing to minimise their waste, the week will also outline areas for improvement and offer advice on how best to achieve these goals.
“The majority of Wexford’s citizens are already involved in some form of waste segregation and recycling. A total of 79% of households in Wexford avail of a waste collection service, a 7% increase in the three year period 2016 -2019,” she said.
“An average of 11.29 kgs of WEE per person is collected in Wexford and in 2018, 18 tonnes of waste mineral oils and filters were collected at Household Recycling Centres in Wexford.”
Ms Godkin added, “There is no doubt that since the introduction of the Regional Waste Management Plan 2015 the rates of recycling and waste segregation in Wexford has improved significantly, but we still have a way to go if we are to reach EU recycling targets. I am confident that there is a willingness among the community to improve our carbon footprint, and Wexford County Council is eager to provide information and supports as we work together to manage our waste. Wexford County Council is delighted therefore to host Waste Awareness Week, with the support of the Southern Regional Waste Management Planning Office.
Cliona Connolly Environmental Education Officer with Wexford County Council is encouraged by people’s willingness to learn more and do more when it comes to reduce, reuse and recycle.
“Even since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have observed some changes in the county’s recycling patterns. Wexford County Council for example has recorded a 24% increase in the amount of glass collected during the first eight months of the year when compared to the same time last year. During the pandemic we also expanded our bring bank network by adding four new sites Glenbrien, Bellefield Enniscorthy, Island Road Enniscorthy and The Gap Gorey.
Ms Connolly added, “During Wexford Waste Awareness Week we will encourage people to improve their waste management even further through some clear advice and easy to follow tips.”
Through a series of online videos, a social media campaign, local radio and leaflets, Wexford County Council will provide information, tips and fun facts each day, relating to different topics of interest or concern, including:
Monday, December 7: Food Waste
Tuesday, December 8: Greener Cleaning/Hazardous waste
Wednesday, December 9: Textiles
Thursday, December 10: Recycling in Wexford and Keep Wexford Beautiful Campaign
Friday, December 11: Household recycling Centres & Bring Bank Network (Recycling Infrastructure)
Launching Wexford Waste Awareness Week, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council Cllr, Ger Carthy said, “I urge everyone to join this virtual event and follow Wexford County Council on Twitter for all the content and highlights associated with Waste Awareness Week. This platforms, along with mywaste.ie will continue to be a resource for the people of Wexford, helping them to stay informed about the county’s waste management plans and our progression in this area, long after this week’s events are over.”
Phillipa King, Regional Waste Coordinator, Southern Regional Waste Management Planning Office, explained that events like Waste Awareness Week play a key role as the region prepares for the next Waste Management Plan.
“The Regional Waste Management Plans efficiently and collectively represent and protect the obligations of the Local Authority Sector under the Waste Management Act. The Regional Waste Management Offices ensure the three headline targets of the plans are met; 1% reduction in the quantity of household waste per annum; a recycling target of 50% for Municipal Waste; and reduce to 0% direct disposal of residual waste to landfill. To achieve these goals the Regional Waste Management Offices liaise with and co-ordinate the activities of a wide range of stakeholders, including the local authorities and the public, to ensure delivery of the headline targets and to ensure all the objectives and policy actions of the plan are met.”