Press Release
European Week for Waste Reduction
Shetland Islands Council is getting set to play its part in the third annual European Week for Waste Reduction, which runs from 19 to 27 November.
To mark the event, staff from the Council’s Environment and Energy service will be in the entrance to Tesco from 10.00 to 14.00 on Saturday 26 November. They hope to raise awareness of how small changes can make a big difference to the amount of waste produced in Shetland by promoting reduced packaging as well as providing information on reducing food waste and junk mail.
There will be shopping trolleys with examples of over packaged and reduced packaging goods, leaflets on waste aware gift for Christmas and information on how to stop receiving unwanted mail.
One major campaign being promoted throughout the European Week for Waste Reduction is ‘Love Food Hate Waste’.
Scottish households throw away 566,000 tonnes of food waste every year. Over two thirds of this could have been avoided if it had been more effectively planned, stored and managed. Avoidable food waste costs Scotland nearly £1 billion a year, that’s the equivalent of £430 per household.
SIC staff will be available to give advice on reducing food waste by paying attention to use by and best before dates and storing food correctly. They will also be giving out free recipe packs which offer handy tips on using leftovers.
Everyone who comes along on Saturday will also be able to enter a free prize draw for the chance to win a Komp 800 compost bin.
Allan Wishart, Vice-Chair of the Environment and Transport Committee said: “Shetland Islands Council is committed to improving waste reduction and is delighted to be playing its part in European Week for Waste Reduction.
“We hope our event will inspire staff and locals to make everyday changes that will have a wider impact on the local environment.”
European Week for Waste Reduction, led in Scotland by Zero Waste Scotland, will see local authorities, businesses, charities, community groups, schools and universities across Scotland contributing to the range of events taking place across Europe to promote waste prevention.
For more information on activities taking place during European Week for Waste Reduction, visit: www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/ewwr2011.
