ECO

It's easy being green

by Carol Holbein and Sheila Stewart

Businesses across Perth and Kinross are proving it's easy being green by reducing, reusing and recycling their waste and to help them Perth & Kinross Council's Commercial Waste Team are continuing to provide services, advice and support. Here are just some of the things that have been happening.

The recycling services for cans, cardboard, green waste, glass and paper continue to be a success with, on average, over 200 tonnes of material recycled each Month.

Due to a surplus of mixed glass in Scotland pubs, clubs and restaurants in Perth centre will trial a new separate glass collection service, starting in July. Separating glass by colour promotes closed loop recycling as it is easier to recycle into new glass bottles and jars. Internal storage bins, colour coded labels and staff education and awareness are being provided by Perth & Kinross Council to help businesses with this change. Following an evaluation of the trial it may be rolled out to the rest of Perth and Kinross.

On the 15th March a seminar sponsored by Envirowise was held in Perth. This joint venture between Perthshire Chamber of Commerce and Perth & Kinross Council was held to raise awareness of the many environmental issues which businesses will have to deal with in the near future; presentations were given by SEPA, Shore Recycling, Perth & Kinross Council and Perthshire Housing Association. At this event a new DVD was previewed that gives an overview of waste in Perth and Kinross and includes existing customers speaking about their 'green' experiences.

Perth & Kinross Council Commercial Waste Team attended the 8th Perthshire Business Fair in May, giving advice about minimising the amount of waste produced and identifying waste streams which can be reduced, reused or recycled.

The Council Commercial Waste Team continues to update and expand their website. You can now find case studies from various businesses, tips on how to manage your waste, information on all services and downloadable posters.