Meet the three Rs of rubbish... reducing, reusing and recycling
Last updated 11:49, Friday, 26 September 2008
Resource Cumbria is the county’s waste partnership between the seven local authorities – the six districts and boroughs and the county council.
It aims to make a world of difference by providing a modern approach to municipal waste management that contributes to a sustainable Cumbria.
We are responsible for dealing with all of the county’s household rubbish – and more than 260,000 tonnes were created in Cumbria last year.
However, the organisation doesn’t just collect and dispose of rubbish.
It strives to manage waste in the most effective and sustainable way in order to minimise its effect on Cumbria, and even use it as a resource from which the county can recover as much value as possible.
Resource Cumbria’s aim is to move away from the traditional reliance on burying waste in landfill sites: big holes in the ground.
Not only is the space in these holes running out, Cumbria is facing fines from the European Union if they continue to be used.
Future strategy will focus on alternative methods of waste disposal while continuing to reduce our waste levels as much as possible.
Collectively, Resource Cumbria is responsible for 13 Household Waste Recycling Centres, more than 400 Recycle Points and the kerbside recycling services to about 160,000 households in Cumbria.
The people of Cumbria are doing their bit by using these services.
Of the 260,000 tonnes of household rubbish collected last year, almost 40 per cent was recycled or composted – that’s more than 100,000 tonnes of rubbish that was diverted from the landfill sites.
That’s a phenomenal achievement especially when it is considered how much the county has improved.
Just three short years ago, Cumbria only recycled 25 per cent of the waste it produced – and produced around 100,000 tonnes more waste than it does today.
As well as providing the facilities that people need to recycle, Resource Cumbria also works hard encouraging them to practice what is called the three Rs of rubbish – reducing, reusing and recycling.
There are lots of things people can do to reduce the amount of waste they create as well as recycling, and many of these practices are not only great for the environment but great for the pocket too.
Each month Going Green will help people become more waste aware but for those who can’t wait, they can visit the website at www.recycleforcumbria.org.
I’d like to thank the people of Cumbria sincerely for their sterling efforts in helping the county get to where it is today.
And while 40 per cent is a fantastic recycling rate, we don’t just want to stop there – we believe we can get it even higher.
Our pledge to you is that we will continue to improve recycling services and work tirelessly to help Cumbria create as little waste as possible.
Together we can reduce, reuse and recycle even more for Cumbria.
by Graham Harrison, head of waste management at Cumbria County Council
