The Vale of Glamorgan Council is calling on all residents to make a difference to their community, the environment and their own finances by taking part in the European Week of Waste Reduction (EWWR) between 20 – 28 November.
Coordinated in Wales by Waste Awareness Wales, the week provides a great opportunity to think carefully about what you buy and throw away and how you can save money and help keep waste away from landfill, which is especially important with Christmas on the way.
EWWR gives schools, community groups, businesses and individuals the opportunity to arrange events such as swap shops, collections of old furniture and information days.
Georgina Taubman of Waste Awareness Wales said: “Here in Wales we now recycle 44 per cent of our rubbish; recycling has become a part of normal life. While it is really important to recycle as much as we can, the best way to protect our planet is to reduce the amount of rubbish we produce in the first place.”
Vale Council Cabinet Member for Visible and Building Services, Cllr Geoff Cox, added: “With Wales recycling more than ever it would be easy to assume that we don’t need to worry about our rubbish. However, thinking carefully about what we buy and producing less waste in the first place is much better than recycling it.”
The council is also encouraging community groups to get involved, either by arranging their own events or just by making sure they don’t waste money on things they don’t need. Those planning an event can contact the council for more information.
Vale Council waste awareness officer Sam Harrison said: “Planning our shopping, repairing things rather than throwing them out and passing unwanted products to people who may find a use for them are not that hard to do. These suggestions can have real benefits for the environment and for household budgets. And don’t forget we can all save money by buying second hand goods as well.”
For more information on reducing, reusing and recycling please visit the recycling pages. To get in touch about an EWWR event you are hosting please email [email protected] or telephone 01446 700111.
