Projects
Wales Event Recycling Project
New Wales Event Recycling Guide is now available! To request your copy please contact Ruth Llewellyn, 029 20647950
The number of events working with the Project continues to grow and 2008 promises to be even busier than last year. The Royal Welsh Show’s recycling schemes in particular will now cover the whole Showground and more services are being offered to the traders and caterers.
If you have any questions or comments about the Wales Event Recycling Project please contact Ruth Llewellyn, the Events Recycling Officer, 02920 649750.
Background
The Wales Event Recycling Project is a Welsh Assembly Government funded project which began in July 2006. The Project and Project Officer Post are hosted by Cylch, the Wales Community Recycling Network. The Projects main objective is to support and advise event organisers, local authorities and community sector partners in implementing ‘best practice’ systems in event recycling systems in Wales
The key Project partner is Waste Awareness Wales who co-ordinate the Recycle for Wales/ Ailgylchu dros Gymru campaign and are responsible for producing all promotional branded items for the Project.
As all promotional items use the National branding it delivers a consistent recycling message across Wales, regardless of where the event is held.
The Project is able to provide practical advice and support to event organisers on how to implement successful event recycling schemes as well as infrastructure items. The items available include:
Bins – large and small
Labels for bins indicating which materials to place in which bin
Flags – to be used with the recycling bins to indicate the location of the recycling bins
Large promotional signs which can be placed around the event sign promoting the fact there are recycling schemes in operation
Since the Project started, over forty-events across Wales have received assistance including large events such as the Royal Welsh Show, International, Urdd and National Eisteddfods, Local Authority organised events and a range of smaller events.
Events
The Royal Welsh Agricultural Show
2008 was the third year the Project has worked with the Royal Welsh Show implementing recycling schemes. This year the schemes were expanding to cover more of Showground as well as additional recycling collections available to traders and caterers.
An important factor in the waste management plan is the stipulation that all caterers must use biodegradable food packaging. This was collected along with food waste and composted.
The recycling services available at the Show are:
- Recycling bins at ten locations, including the catering and picnic areas as well as individual sets of bins around the show rings.
- Collections from trade and catering stands of glass, cans, plastic bottles, cardboard, food waste and food packaging.
- Recycling schemes at three caravan sites for plastic bottles, plastic bags and paper.
An important part of the success of event recycling is ensuring the public are aware of the recycling facilities and understand how to use them. There will again be Recycling Wardens present on each show day in the recycling areas to talk to the public and educate them on the recycling facilities present at the show.
The evaluation report on the recycling schemes at the Show will be available shortly.
The Llangollen International Music Eisteddfod
Implementing recycling schemes at the Llangollen International Music Eisteddfod continues to develop, The schemes in 2008 were based on the schemes in 2007 with improvements to collections and expansion into more areas of the event, i.e. back of house caterers.
Other Events
The Wales Event Recycling Project is now working with a number of organisations and event organisers to include recycling at more Welsh events. These include a number of Local Authorities and community groups implementing recycling schemes at a variety of events for example, County Shows, music festivals, Balloon festivals and Garden Shows.
Small Event Recycling Project – SERP
The main aims and objectives of SERP are to increase volunteering, waste minimisation and recycling, and raise awareness of recycling at events in Wales. Funding from SERP can be applied for to implement recycling at small events. SERP funding has been obtained from Environment Wales.
Most small events are organised and run by local volunteers and so they will be a vital part of any successful recycling scheme. A key part of the criteria for support by SERP will be the need to illustrate local community benefit by using local volunteers and working alongside existing community recycling groups.
Organisers that are successful in registering with the Project will receive structured expertise in terms of planning recycling at events, and use of a support kit. This will include promotional materials, signage and bins with the National ‘Recycle for Wales’ branding. If you are interested in applying for funding from SERP please contact Ruth Llewellyn, the Events Recycling Officer, 02920 649750.
Page last updated: 11th Sept 2008
