1. RECYCLE INITIATIVE 2010 Don’t let it all go to waste!

2. About the initiative Now in its third year, the Tidy Towns “Don’t let it go to waste!” Recycle initiative aims to encourage new ways of tackling waste issues at a local level The objective of this initiative is to help individuals and groups to realise what waste they produce, and how they can make changes to reduce, reuse and recycle The initiative is sponsored by 5 organisations which give an overview of producer responsibility in Ireland – Cré, SIMI, WEEE Ireland, Alupro and IFFPG.

3. About the sponsors... Cré Cré is the Composting Association of Ireland. Composting is nature’s way of recycling, by decomposing organic material into a soil-like product (humus). Cré is a non-profit organisation which serves as a forum to promote composting and compost utilisation. Composting decomposes organic material into a soil-like substance called compost. For helpful information on composting and tips on how to get started, log on to www.cre.ie or www.stopfoodwaste.iewww.cre.ie www.stopfoodwaste.ie

4. WEEE Ireland WEEE Ireland is the Irish compliance scheme for electrical and battery recycling, responsible for the collection and treatment of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and waste batteries from approved collection points. WEEE and waste battery recycling is free in civic amenity sites and WEEE Ireland special collection events. Log on to www.recyclefree.ie for more informationwww.recyclefree.ie

5. IFFPG Ltd IFFPG (Irish Farm Films Producers Group) is Ireland’s only government approved silage plastic recycling scheme. IFFPG is an Irish owned “not for profit” company, responsible for recycling for recycling more than 18,000 tonnes of silage plastics waste from over 30,000 farmers nationwide Since 1997, IFFPG has sent over 80,000 tonnes of plastics to licensed recycling facilities to be converted into a range of products such as refuse sacks and garden furniture.

6. The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) is committed to assisting their members in meeting obligations under the Waste Tyres Regulations, Battery Regulations and End of Life Vehicles Regulations. Furthermore, SIMI wish to encourage individuals and groups to actively partake in battery, tyre and end of life vehicle recycling at a local level

7. Alupro Ireland Alupro Ireland (Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation) was founded in 2007 to report, stimulate and promote aluminium packaging recycling in Ireland. Aluminium is a valuable material - community collection projects are a great way to raise funds. Did you know that 75% of the world’s aluminium ever produced is still in circulation? Let’s keep it going!

8. Prize €2,000!

9. Ideas on getting started Produce a recycling map of your area and highlight the recycling facilities currently available to you Assess the usage of these facilities through questionnaires / surveys Is there potential to set up waste management facilities that aren’t currently being made available in your local community?

10. Ideas on getting started Encourage schools in your local area to recycle a range of waste streams Create a recycling information campaign by distributing helpful advice through local media (newspapers, radio stations, parish notes) to spread the word on recycling

11. What the judges are looking for 1. Innovation, enthusiasm and community involvement 2. A plan for future waste management in your locality – produce a basic community waste management plan outlining how the prize money will be used 3. Applications that demonstrate your groups commitment to waste reduction, reuse and recycling

12. Last years winners – Ballynacargy TidyTowns, Co. Westmeath This group teamed up with local businesses to promote reuse and recycling across a range of different waste streams Examples of initiatives demonstrated: Aluminium cans were used as decoration for flower beds in the town Battery retailers were informed of their obligations under the Battery Regulations, and were provided with battery recycling boxes A community composting scheme was set up in the local area

13. Submitting your application When submitting your application, please use the following headings: - The objectives of your project - How your project was organised and promoted - How your project has encouraged participation from the local community - The impact of your project on: - Waste recyclingWaste reduction - Waste preventionWaste awareness - Waste reuse - Attitudes towards waste

14. Further information www.aluproireland.ie www.farmplastics.ie www.recyclefree.ie www.simi.ie www.stopfoodwaste.ie