Town and gown allies in war on waste
Posted on 22 August 2005
Under the terms of a new £1m five-year contract, the University will be charged for the amount of waste it produces and will receive cash back for its recyclable rubbish. If successful, the principles of the scheme could be rolled out to other business clients across the city.
Geoff Derham, the Council's waste manager, explained: "We used to charge the University for the number of bins we collected, whether they were full or not. Both the Council and the University are keen to reduce the amount of waste that York sends to landfill, in line with the targets set by the Government. By encouraging the University staff to think before they put everyday items in the bin, we hope to reduce waste and reward recycling."
The University is committed to playing a full part in helping the Council to meet its Government targets on waste management
Tim Bird
Tim Bird, the University's Acting Director of Facilities Management, said: "This is an exciting development. The University is committed to playing a full part in helping the Council to meet its Government targets on waste management."
The Council's refuse teams, equipped with the latest waste collection lorries, will weigh each bin before recycling or disposal of its contents. The detailed results will enable the University to encourage departments to reduce their rubbish and recycle more of their waste.
As an added incentive, the University will receive £5 from Yorwaste, for every tonne of waste it recycles. The funding will be used to support University environmental projects.
John Miller, Yorwaste's Recycling and External Affairs Manager said: "More and more organisations like the University are starting to appreciate that recycling their waste benefits the environment and also saves money. Yorwaste are best placed to offer sustainable outlets and markets for recyclable waste in the York and North Yorkshire area and we are delighted to be working in partnership with City of York Council's Waste Collection team and the University of York".
Daily waste collections will serve the 3,000 staff and 10,700 students at the University. Additional recycling containers will also be provided by Yorwaste, making it easier and quicker to recycle.
Notes to editors:
- The Council's executive member for commercial services is Councillor Charles Hall on 01904 760618
- The Council's shadow executive member for commercial services is Councillor Ken King on 01904 783024
- The leader of the Green group is Councillor Andrew D'Agorne on 01904 633526.
- The Council's Independent member is Councillor Janet Hopton on 01904 794433. For further information please contact: Claire Johnston, Media and publications officer, Tel: 01904 551068, Fax: 01904 551064, Mob/out of hours: 07767318082, Email: claire.johnston@york.gov.uk
- Photo Opportunity You are invited to send a reporter/photographer to Heslington Hall, University of York, at 11am Wednesday 24 August. The photo will involve one of the new waste collection vehicles with members of the University and council waste teams.