Waste Reduction Week Activities Lined Up For Limerick

Nov. 15, 2012 - PRLog -- Local events include information and awareness sessions on food waste prevention, a furniture upcycling programme at County Hall, Dooradoyle, and an environmental awareness video project in relation to hazardous household waste and alternative cleaning products.

National events for Ireland are being co-ordinated by the EPA and regionally for Limerick Clare Kerry by the Regional Waste Management Office (RWMO).

RWMO staff will be holding information and awareness sessions at various locations throughout Limerick aimed at encouraging food waste prevention through smart shopping. Almost one third of all food purchased in Limerick is never eaten and is thrown out after reaching its use-by date. It is estimated that this costs the average Limerick household up to €700 per year and for some households the cost of wasted food can be as high as €1000 per annum.  Information and awareness sessions will be held at Tesco, Newcastle West (Thursday, 22 November, 1.30 to 3.30pm), Dooley’s Supervalu, Newcastle West (Thursday, 22 November, 11-1pm), and Supervalu, Castleconnell (Saturday, 24 November, 4-6pm).

Elsewhere, an exhibition showcasing the results a unique furniture upcycling training programme, organised by West Limerick Resources and involving 10 adults, will take place as part of EWWR in the Atrium at County Hall, Dooradoyle. All the furniture that is now available for sale was salvaged from the Mungret Recycling Centre.

Meanwhile, residents of Castletroy View in Limerick City will be concluding their involvement in a research project with the RWMO and Limerick City’s Environment section about how many and what type of chemicals people use in their home. The results of this project are being disseminated as part of EWWR and will be available on www.managewaste.ie from Tuesday next (20 November, 2012).

Pauline McDonogh, Local Authority Prevention Demonstration (LAPD) Programme Coordinator, RWMO, explained that eliminating or preventing waste makes good environmental and financial sense.

She continued: “522kg of municipal waste is generated on average per person in the European Union. Household waste also has doubled in weight in 40 years and has been growing steadily at a rate of 1-2%.  If waste is not created it does not have to be treated and disposed of, which is much better for the local and global environment, better for climate change, and better financially for householders, businesses and other organisations.”  

Ms. McDonogh indicated that many of the messages being promoted as part of EWWR are also contained in the RWMO’s eGuide to Waste Prevention, an online manual hosted on www.managewaste.ie.

10 Waste Prevention tips for European Week for Waste Reduction:
1.    Never shop without making a list
2.    Avoid special offers on perishable goods
3.    Where possible buy fruit & veg loose to reduce packaging, buying loose also reduces food waste as you buy exactly what you need.
4.    Avoid disposable wipes for cleaning or personal hygiene & remember if you must use these items never flush them, dispose of them in the bin.
5.    Invest in rechargeable batteries; they will save you money in the long run.
6.    Always print double sided at home and at work
7.    Always bring a reusable bag when going shopping not just to the supermarket
8.    Dilute household cleaning products to make them last longer and check out www.managewaste.ie for environmentally friendly alternatives.
9.    Buying takeaway coffee for a journey? Then bring your own reusable mug.
10.    Put a “No Junk Mail” sticker on your letterbox.

EWRR is a LIFE+ project and is supported by the European Commission and coordinated nationally by the EPA. Further information is available from the project website www.ewwr.eu. Information of events taking place in Limerick is available from www.managewaste.ie.

-ENDS-

Note to Editor:
-    Interviewees are available on request. Please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy PR on 086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com