News
Tuesday 25 March 2008
Armadale residents are wiser about waste
Edinburgh-based sustainable development charity Changeworks has today released the results of its innovative Waste Wise Armadale Project.
And they show that the Armadale residents who received doorstep conversations to help them to reduce their waste threw out 6.1 per cent less compared to last year. This figure is even more remarkable when compared to the control group, who over the same period increased their waste by 10.2 per cent.
The successful partnership between Changeworks and West Lothian Council aimed to decrease the amount of household waste produced in Armadale in one year by promoting the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle message. Taking to the streets to engage directly with the community, The Waste Wise Armadale Project was a unique awareness raising campaign during which 1,331 households had the opportunity to learn about waste prevention - right on their doorstep.
Changeworks Senior Project Manager, Daniel Prince, said: “The Waste Wise Armadale Project was a very exciting concept. Rather than providing waste disposal solutions, our work focused on the very beginning of the process, aiming to minimise the amount of waste created in the first place.
“Working together, Changeworks and West Lothian Council implemented a campaign that reached out to individual householders and inspired them to take action. By going door-to-door to talk about waste prevention initiatives such as real nappies and home composting, the Project helped people to realise how they could reduce household waste easily and created a real buzz throughout the whole community.”
West Lothian Council's Executive Councillor for the Environment, Robert De Bold, added: "We are very pleased with the outcomes achieved by this project. The Waste Wise Armadale Project has helped to raise awareness of the important Reduce, Reuse, Recycle message. It is great to see that, working in partnership, and with the local community, we have enabled people to reduce their household waste by such significant amounts.”
For more information please contact:
Daniel Prince
T: 0131 555 4010
Helen Peacock
T: 0131 555 4010
Notes to editors:
1. The report and independent evaluation are available at: www.changeworks.org.uk/content.php?linkid=353
2. The Waste Wise Armadale Project was delivered by Changeworks in partnership with West Lothian Council and funded by Increase II and SEPA.
3. Changeworks exists to improve quality of life and to protect the environment. We work with passion, integrity and in collaboration to develop and deliver innovative projects and businesses in energy, waste and transport that inspire and empower people and communities to make a difference.
4. CHANGEWORKS Resources for Life Ltd. is a company registered as a charity in Scotland and limited by guarantee. Charity No. SCO15144. Company No. SC103904. Registered Office: 36 Newhaven Road, Edinburgh EH6 5PY. VAT Reg. No. 703521966
