Managing Waste within Council Facilities
Support The European Week for Waste Reduction. Information available from http://www.wasteawarescotland.org.uk/html/ewwr.asp
Council Offices have blue wheelie bins for the recycling of paper, cardboard, cans, tetrapak and plastics.
Other items that can be recycled include:
- Ink Cartridges: These are either returned to the supplier or can be sent to Redeem for the benefit of local charities.
- Batteries: Departments are encouraged to use rechargeable batteries and where that is not possible, to send them to Waste Services at Kilncraigs for disposal.
- Confidential Waste Containers: These are located at Lime Tree House and Greenfield. This material is shredded and then recycled.
- Computer and other Electronic Equipment: The amount of equipment in offices has been reduced through the introduction of efficient multi functional devices that photocopy, scan and fax. Any end-of-life electronic equipment including mobile phones are disposed of in-line with the Waste Electronic Equipment Regulations.
A number of council sections also have systems in place to manage their waste:
- Schools and nurseries - Good use is made of blue bins with paper, cans, tetrapak, plastics and cardboard all potentially being recycled. Many also have compost bins, allowing them to dispose of fruit waste, tea bags etc. For more information visit the schools recycling web page.
- Catering Services - They have reduced the amount of general waste bin space rented as a result of centralising much of their operation to Class Cuisine in Sauchie and making good use of bulk purchasing.
- Kelliebank Depot - Skips are available for metal, wood, rubble and cardboard. This ensures waste from council organised repairs is recycled as efficiently as possible.
- Land Services - All green waste is deposited at either Glenochil Nursery or Forthbank Recycling Centre for composting.
- Libraries - Books that are no longer required are first sold locally. Any left are then given to Alloa Community Enterprises who then pass all usable ones onto a not for profit organisation who can sell them on to wider markets before recycling the rest.
- Roads - All tarmac from road repairs is reworked for building into new roads.
- Street lighting - All lamps are recycled through specialist companies.
- Procurement - Policies are being put in place to purchase responsibly. Paper with 100% recycled content is used wherever possible.
As well as recycling, all staff are encouraged to minimise waste:
- Monitor resource use particularly for paper and printing.
- Cancel multiple subscriptions in favour of a section subscription
- Re-use A4 envelopes as internal circulation envelopes and encourage the use of old single sided documents for notes. Discourage the use of post-it pads.
- Use the councils internal information exchange (Coin before disposing of equipment, to determine whether other sections can make use of it.
- Ensure that specifications for new equipment also include the taking away of any packaging.
- Conserve paper by reducing margin sizes on documents where possible.
- Ensure your default is switched to duplex printing.
- Have a scrap paper tray for old single sided documents that can be used for sending notes rather than use post-it notes.
- Print only when necessary.
- Share and store documents electronically.
- Read on screen as much as possible.
- Return any unused equipment and stationery.
- Use your own cup or glass when using water dispensers or taking coffee and tea away from catering points.
The future
As a council we will continue to monitor developments in waste disposal, refining our service accordingly to meet future waste diversion targets that will also deliver value for money to the tax payer.
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Contact information
For further information about this page please contact:
Waste Services
Kilncraigs, Greenside Street, Alloa, FK10 1EB
Tel: 01259 450000
Email: wasteservices@clacks.gov.uk
Or use the on-line contact form
