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Environmental issues
 'Clare waste is committed to the highest possible environmental and operational standards. The company has a duty both legally and morally to ensure that its operations are carried out with the minimum of negative environmental impacts. This is a duty Clare Waste is determined to meet'. As indicated by the above environmental policy statement, Clare Waste regards environmental protection as an integral part of its business and endeavours to conduct all of its activities in a manner that protects the environment. For this reason, Clare Waste has a documented Environmental Management System (EMS) in place in each of its waste management facilities |
Why recycle?
- To help the environment: Recycling creates lower energy costs, reduces emissions into the atmosphere and to water and reduces the amount of waste going to landfill sites. For example, for every tonne of paper used for recycling, 17 trees are spared, 31,500 litres of water are saved and 4200 KWh less electricity is used.
- To protect wildlife habitats: As the demand for paper has increased, more timber has been needed to meet the demand for wood pulp. Old forests have been replaced by managed plantations, usually of conifers, in some cases meaning the loss of valuable wildlife habitats and ecosystems. The use of recycled paper helps to protect wildlife habitats.
- To reduce the demand for natural raw materials and extend their life cycles. For example, recycling plastic allows for conservation of non-renewable fossil fuels. Plastic production uses 8% of the world's oil production. Also, for every tonne of recycled glass used, 1.2 tonnes of raw materials are preserved.
- To reduce the need for landfill space: We are running out of room in our landfill sites and yet we are disposing of more waste now than ever before. Research from the Environmental Protection Agency shows that between 2001 and 2004 the amount of municipal waste produced (household and commercial) increased by 12%.
Recycling reduces the need for landfill space and avoids problems associated with landfill disposal. For example, textiles present particular problems in landfill as synthetic (man-made fibres) products will not decompose, while woollen garments do decompose and produce methane, which contributes to global warming. - To encourage us to take personal responsibility for the waste we create. Recycling helps us to become more aware of environmental issues and to take steps to improve waste management.
Preparing Materials for Recycling
| Item | Preparation before Recycling |
|---|---|
| Paper / Newspaper / Magazines / Junk Mail | It is helpful to take out staples |
| Light Cardboard | Flatten |
| Heavy duty cardboard | Flatten, remove any polystyrene |
| Aluminium Cans | Rinse out and crush |
| Steel Cans | Wash out, ensure there is no food left ? there is no need to remove paper |
| Plastic Bottles | Remove caps/corks. Rinse out and crush ? there is no need to remove paper |
| Beverage Cartons e.g. Tetrapak | Take off plastic lid, rinse out and flatten |
| Glass Bottles & Jars | Remove caps. Rinse out ? there is no need to remove paper. Glass banks do not accept drinking glasses, pyrex or sheet glass |
| Soft Plastic Packaging | Ensure it is not contaminated with food |
| Textiles | No preparation needed |
| Household Hazardous Waste | Ensure it is still labelled |
| Green Waste | Remove any soil, litter or branches from palm trees which get jammed in shredder |
| Timber | Remove nails or other such items. |
| Electrical Equipment | No preparation needed |
| Batteries (domestic & car) | No preparation needed |
| IT Computer Equipment | No preparation needed |
| Brown Goods ? Televisions, Radios, Video players | No preparation needed |
| White Goods ? Fridges, Freezers, Washing Machines, Cookers, Tumble Dyers | No preparation needed |
If in doubt leave it out!
Waste that isn't properly segregated can be very difficult to recycle so don't contaminate a waste stream with the wrong type of waste!