http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/BathNES/media ... llenge.htm
People across Bath and North East Somerset are being challenged to go for a week without throwing anything away.
Bath & North East Somerset Council has declared October 23 – 29 Zero Waste Week and is challenging residents to see if it is possible to produce no black bag rubbish for seven days.
That means you only use things that you can reuse, recycle or compost, and avoid using anything that you would normally throw away, either by choosing an alternative or by avoiding it altogether.
In 2001, Bath & North East Somerset Council became the first local authority in the UK to adopt a Zero Waste pledge. Its long-term vision is to eliminate waste altogether, rather than simply manage it.
Pioneered in New Zealand, Zero Waste is a radical but simple approach to waste. It means that nothing gets thrown away in the dustbin - so we only use things we can reuse, recycle or compost. As well as reducing the damage that we do to our environment, we could also help save ourselves money.
Sarah Raban, Waste Campaigns Officer for Bath & North East Somerset Council, explained that if you make enough changes, it is possible to produce absolutely no waste – but the aim of this challenge is to see how close you can get.
Circumstances are different for everyone and even if you don’t quite manage to achieve Zero Waste, you’ll find you can have a dramatic effect on the amount you throw away.
Zero Waste Week is designed to be fun – but it has a serious message, too. By really thinking about what we buy, eat and drink for a week, and trying to only use things that can be reused, recycled or composted, it is possible to substantially reduce the amount of rubbish produced which is good for the environment.
The Council is producing an information pack for people wishing to take part. To get your copy, please contact us at councilconnect@bathnes.gov.uk or by phone on 01225 39 40 41. We will send you a guidance sheet and report form to keep a record of what you do during the week - then all you have to do is take part.
Green boxes at the ready for Zero Waste Week
Issued by: Bath and North East Somerset Press Office, tel 01225 477827 or 477283, email: pressoffice@bathnes.gov.uk
