Ireland’s Guide to Waste
Ireland’s Guide to Waste
National Waste Awareness Programme
National Waste 2021 Awareness Programme
2020
Introduction
All of the projects were formulated taking the actions and objectives of the Regional Waste Management Action Plan 2015 – 2021 and the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy Ireland’s National Waste Policy 2020 – 2025 into consideration. These projects touched on the following broad areas of the WAP and involved multiple stakeholders: In 2021 the Regional Waste Management Office delivered a highly successful integrated promotional strategy to communicate multiple messages across a variety of platforms including TV, radio, social and digital media. Chapter 6
Chapter 3
The Circular Economy
Chapter 5
Municipal (Household, Commercial) Waste
Empowering households and businesses through better consumer protection
The awareness programme focussed on prevention and recycling placing particular emphasis placed on the reintroduction of soft plastics and food waste prevention and segregation. The commercial sector and householders were the target of this awareness programme. 2021 was once again a difficult year in terms of the Covid 19 Pandemic , nevertheless the awareness programme successfully reached citizens throughout Ireland. The awareness
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Food Waste
Plastic and Packaging Waste
Chapter 10
Chapter 12
Chapter 9
Single Use Plastic
activities carried out are briefly outlined in this document.
Platforms Used
Citizen Engagement
2
Textiles
3
Reintroduction of Soft Plastics to the Household Recycle Bin A national awareness campaign concerning the reintroduction of soft plastics back into the household recycle waste stream was launched
TV
243 MILLION PEOPLE REACHED
in September 2021 and continued until the end of the year. The campaign ran across multiple
Radio
183 MILLION PEOPLE REACHED
4 MILLION IMPRESSIONS
11 MILLION IMPRESSIONS
46% view rate
12.5 THOUSAND visitors to the website
2.4 THOUSAND visitors to the website
platforms and was supported by all relevant stakeholders. A feature of the campaign was the
0.06% CTR
creation of specific reactive assets which were able to respond to the most frequently asked questions and queries.
Social
Youtube
0.21% CTR more than twice the industry standard
Digital
11 MILLION IMPRESSIONS 20 THOUSAND visitors to the website 0.18% CTR strong result!
TOP PERFORMING POST ACROSS FB & INSTAGRAM
TOP PERFORMING POST TWITTER
4
5
Commercial Waste Project This initiative was designed to empower small to medium businesses particularly those involved in retail, hospitality, manufacturing and corporate sectors to further improve how their
1,498
VISITS TO BUSINESS PAGE
waste is managed in order to divert material from the residual bin and increase recycling rates.. The clear language visuals included downloadable posters, bin labels, a brochure, a checklist and 4 short animations. In addition a limited number of printed materials were
876
NEW USERS
made available free of charge.
Promotional activity has taken place through Industry based publications and Digital Advertising such as: • Shelflife • Retail News • Checkout Magazine • Hotel & Catering • Better Business • In Business ISMA and IPRA
6
7
Food Waste
TRADITIONAL MEDIA RADIO
Pilot Project Two – Household Food Waste Separation Roadshow The aim of this pilot was to
distribute 7,000 household packs – each pack contained a 7 litre kitchen caddy with the information about food waste separation printed on it, a roll of 100% compostable caddy liners along with an updated
national roadshow which consisted of 12 events at various types of locations throughout November &
19,1779 PEOPLE REACHED
NEW MEDIA REACH
information leaflet. These packs were distributed via a
137,3000 PEOPLE REACHED
VIDEO
17,6810
ENGAGEMENT
6,014
Pilot P
21,324 VIEWS
roject
Two –
December, VOICE assisted the My
Result House
rt
hold F ood W Roads aste S how: ep
Waste team with the roadshow. Donegal 341
Each event aimed to distribute a
s Repo
minimum of 400 packs and provide interaction with householders, quick demos on using liners, explanations about the importance of food waste separation etc.
Monaghan 420 Cavan 301
Meath 280 Dublin 276 Offaly 120 Laois 420
Limerick 390
Dublin 158
Wicklow 232
Tipperary 356 Wexford 834
Food W aste S
eparat
8
ion Ro
adsho
w
9
ADI – Illegal Dumping/Littering Campaign This campaign ran from June 6th until September 18th across
Digital
radio, digital and social. The
7.3 MILLION IMPRESSIONS
- 19K CLICKS TO SITE - CTR 0.26%
creative material included displays of dumping in urban and rural areas with a call to action #StopIllegalDumping was used with a particular focus on littering at beauty spots and beaches.
Social
1.3 MILLION IMPRESSIONS
- 13.3 MILLION IMPRESSIONS - 16K CLICKS TO SITE - CTR 0.30%
10
Radio
351,816,880 REACHED
Blog
20,644 VIEWS OF BLOG POST
11
My Waste Messaging & Website Enhancements A very successful sustained
Digital
24,570,000 IMPRESSIONS - 37,155 CLICKS - 0.175 CTR
Social
10,091,000 REACH
advertising campaign continued throughout 2021, this covered and highlighted content which is currently on the website. A broad approach allowed social algorithms to target the right audience at the right time providing consistent messaging and helping to retain and increase our My Waste audience .
43,200,000 IMPRESSIONS - 46,307 CLICKS - 0.245 CTR
Redevelopment of mywaste For the launch of the soft plastics campaign mywaste.ie home page was redesigned to place focus on the new rules, the layout of the homepage was streamlined and a new contact form was constructed.
12
13
CCC & Refill
Paint Reuse
Continuing support was maintained
Established, in partnership with the
for the Conscious Cup Campaign
Rediscovery Centre, the Paint Reuse
and Refill to promote diversion from
Network is a membership based
single use.
organisation; a collective of Irish groups and organisations involved in paint reuse with a common vision to reduce paint waste in Ireland. The network encourages and supports paint reuse and redistribution for the benefit of local communities. Conscious Cup Map of Ireland
Refill Map
14
15
GAA Green Clubs
How to carry out a
How to carry out a
Waste Audit
Waste Audit
1
2
Form a Green Team
Hastings McHale Park
comprehensive Green Club toolkit
Identify an audit team from club members and volunteers.
Be careful Assess each bag visually and remove any dangerous objects and weigh bags.
Our club recognises that the facilities used by the Club and its associated events and activities have an impact on the environment and is committed to minimise these aspects over the coming years. As a Club with influence, it is our mission to lead by example and commit to undertaking the following actions:
including - Waste Charter Guidance - Waste Audits Guidance – desktop
Clipboards & audit worksheet
10-20 large clear bin bags
Sort the waste Place the contents of one bag of waste at a time onto the ground sheet. Sort it into the 9 different types of waste shown on the recording sheet - see attached.
9 large plastic containers
Plastic ground sheet for waste
6
Record and weigh Sort waste into receptacles and weigh and record on recording sheet.
01
Bin posters
When finished Dispose of all waste and recyclables in the usual manner.
01
Rigid Plastic
Bin posters
NEED ICON
Metal
Rigid Plastic Glass Soft Plastic
Food Waste
Tetra Pak Other Metal
Tetra Pak
Based on waste audit findings, develop an Action Plan to focus on waste prevention and recycling. For guidance on this use the How-To guides from your Green Club GAA packs: • How to Prevent & Segregate Food Waste • How to Prevent Waste in Your Club
Wast Actio e Mana n Plan geme
nt
(SAMPL
E)
A Waste Waste Management have Audit. The Action committed Action based Plan should Plan o a no-cost,to undertake should be completed set Outlined low-cost in a specific out a list following in the management or high-cost timespan.of actions sample
the basis. practices Action Actions or tasks review Plan can also that the of the that are typical are relevant Club be included to GAAactions associated Clubs activity. with good waste
Action Agree
Establish
Complete Establish
Waste
Green
Charter
Team
Audit
– Desktop
Campaign Funding
Opportunities
Monitoring
Reuse Repair
Initiatives
Initiatives
Procurement
Cleaning
Club Case Successes Study
sectors green of the team member volunteers club in addition from various to interested Undertake quantities a desktop and type study of club waste
/ Challenges &
Community Participation
Person Responsible
Green
frame
Q1 2021
Q1 2021
Q1 2021 Q1 2021
No cost
No cost Low
Q4 2021 Q1 2021 Q2 2021 Q2 2021
cost
No cost No cost Low
Low
Cost
Cost
Cost
No cost
Cummins
Cummins
Reed Team
Reed
Cummins
Team
Time
Mary John Mahony Cummins& John
John Kate Green Kate John
Awareness
Plan
Green
Wider
Action Agree Detail waste and members charter Community with and share club with executives Club
Identify
Waste
Partnerships
Conduct Facility Waste Undertake Audit Waste Establish Mapping Exercise Recycling Waste Segregation Procedure Bin Labeling & Waste Prevention Use Items – Eliminate Communication Single Campaign & Awareness
Litter
Investigate Action
Investigate Investigate Investigate Green
The example above shows that paper, cardboard, food waste and rigid plastic are the largest amount of waste from an audit. What measures do you think could reduce such waste? Is there unnecessary paper waste in offices? Is there a lot of leftover food at events? Answers to these questions can will arrive when you develop a plan.
NEED ICON
Glass
!
Other
SIN
USE!
Guidance on eliminating
Single Use Plastic Bottles
- Elimination of Single Use Cups Guidance - Communication Material Templates – in-house and social media - Branded Commercial Waste
Benchmarking and monitoring ongoing activities;
Eliminating Single Use Plastic Bottles
Ensuring all events and activities are undertaken in an environmentally responsible manner.
Setting and achieving objectives and targets that ensure continual improvement in environmental management.
Becoming a sustainable club and minimising our impact on the environment.
Promoting continual good environmental practices within the club and wider community.
Communicating this policy and relevant environmental procedures to the club community, contractors and suppliers.
Group Clubs Initiatives
Phased Introduction
A phased introduction will allow for the elimination of single use cups over a specific time frame, during which you can outline your communication plans, including how the introduction of delph and the acceptance of reusable cups will be implemented, and the date from which disposable cups will be eliminated.
Outline that your club is working hard to reduce the quantity of plastics used by club members, whilst also ensuring in the interim, that all recyclables are captured in the recycling stream. This will not only highlight what you are doing but may encourage further participation and ideas from others.
Complete Ban
If you are banning single use cups completely, you need to ensure that this message is communicated and your entire club, outlining from what date single use cups are no longer accepted and also outlining what alternative options are available.
Set your plastic campaign launch date and ensure everyone you are targeting knows about it.
Commitment and Communication
Whether you are going for a ‘phased introduction’ or a ‘complete ban’ it is important that volunteers or onsite café managers are on board and committed to making the change. Communicating the changes to all club members is important. When communicating this message, you should also outline the rationale behind eliminating single use cups, in addition to how you intend approach the change. Keep spreading your message as education and awareness is the key to success!
Positive commentary and acceptance will encourage and inspire other club members to participate. It’s important to encourage this and show how everyone can participate and be involved. Having ‘We have saved X Plastic Bottles’ social media content and posters which are updated at as required will further encourage participation.
Inspire Keep spreading your message as education and awareness is the key to success!
Practical advice on reducing plastic bottles
Keep things in check!
As your club is making changes to improve overall environmental performance, it’s important to note that different actions and activities will work better in varying settings. On the next page is a checklist which will help you identify some of the areas you need to consider as you undertake this challenge.
Some other ideas to consider
As your club is making changes to improve overall environmental performance, it’s important to note that different actions and activities will work better in varying settings. Outlined in this guidance document are samples of what can be done, some of which will be more relevant than others depending on situations and circumstances.
Think sponsorship!
Source sponsorship for team reusable bottles local business often support local clubs Think commitment! Ensure that your club policy and charter includes your commitment to eliminating single use.
TIP! Encourage the use of reusable water bottles and highlight some of the many reusable options available (always ensuring EU standard is adhered to).
and reported to Club Officials and Members. Success will come from the combined efforts of all.
- Single Use Plastics Elimination Pilot
Globally it is estimated that 500 billion single use cups are discarded to landfill or incineration every year. That’s one million cups a minute, every hour of every day of every year. These cups are virtually impossible to recycle due to the combination of plastic and paper in their design, and in Ireland we estimate that we dispose of over 22,000 of these non-recyclable cups every hour. When aiming to reduce or eliminate single use cups in your club, you can consider a ‘phased introduction’ or a ‘complete ban’, whichever you think fits your club best.
Create awareness of the prevention activity by communication to club members and community, through the use of signage for your facilities and through social media.
Complete Ban If you are banning plastic bottles completely you need to ensure that this message is communicated to your entire club, setting dates on when plastic bottles are no longer accepted and outlining alternatives. It is particularly important that team trainers, coaches and managers etc. all communicate this message to their teams and indeed lead by example.
Compliance will be regularly evaluated
Eliminating Single Use Cups
Identify a Green Team member who will co-ordinate and liaise with participating teams, particularly in identifying and addressing any issues that arise.
Phased Introduction Identify a team or teams who will lead the challenge in your clubs. Set a ‘plastic savings’ challenge for the team to monitor progress. Consider completing a short case study on your approach, which will allow for other teams to learn from (case study template will be provided).
- Piloted materials with Waste Pilot
Single Use Cups
TIPS!
Options to eliminate plastic bottles in your club are twofold - you can consider a ‘complete ban’ or a ‘phased introduction’, whichever you think fits your club best.
Communication Ensure all relevant club members are aware of the work you are doing. This is an opportunity to communicate the rationale behind the activity in addition to the approach.
Posters
THI
PRE
Think Reduce! Other common plastic items include straws and sachets - which could also be eliminated.
TIP! If you are not going for a complete ban on single use plastic bottles initially, you should also promote recycling, which is also an important environmental activity. By placing information posters and signage at waste stations throughout your facility, you will assist improve waste segregation. It is also important to provide adequate receptacles for recycling to ensure all plastics and other recyclable materials are captured. Downloadable assets are available from mywaste.ie/business.
What is a desktop waste audit?
Number of Bins
When to conduct a desktop waste audit? A desktop waste audit should be conducted at the beginning of your path to sustainability and intermittently thereafter, and should be the only type of waste audit conducted during a Level 1-5 restrictions. The data collected will provide the club with a benchmark against which progress can be measured.
2
Desktop
Data Waste
Number of Bins
Waste
Set target
Share results
Ensure findings are shared with club executives and members.
Monitor
to monitor
date for
progress?
team
members,
you set
trainers,
n?
introductio
promoted? been alternatives cups? reusable delf or using considering ensure e cups, and that compostabl and standard facility 13424 are considering the EN within your contractor. If you meet waste that theycan be disposed by your all cups for composting other? to inspire collected leaders green you identified Have current to share a visual club? you considered Have with wider good situation ion on
Have
Are you
is available
from
.ie
mywaste
Make a start with our Single Use Cups Elimination Checklist on the next page... Further
practice
informat
Single use cups are a common waste item in sport club waste and can be eliminated by some simple planning and management decisions. The following checklist will help you address the elimination of single use cups – whether on a phased basis or by undertaking a complete ban.
DETAILS
How many members use their own reusable cup (estimate % or figure)
Is there a dedicated volunteer to monitor progress?
Have alternatives been promoted? Who is communicating message?
Have parents, guardians, members, team trainers, coaches etc. been briefed?
Have you set date for introduction?
Audit
column
based
___________________ on your
Recyclable Waste kgs
bill i.e.
kg or
Food
lift
Waste kgs
kgs Lift
______
Cost
kgs
TOTALS
4 Plot findings
Plot findings on a chart for posting on your Green Team notice board.
Audits are just the beginning. Improvement comes from implementing actions and consistent monitoring and review.
volunteer
ting message? is communica
cup
Have team trainers, coaches etc been briefed?
Have you identified green leaders to inspire other?
Request data
Set annual target for prevention and recycling.
a dedicated
own reusable
___________________ use relevant
General Waste
Lift
7
kgs
Who
n or
introductio
n Sheet
Please
Size of Bins
kgs
6
Lift
kgs
a phased
Collectio
Collector:
Lift
5
Lift
Cost
klist
on Chec
IST
this initiative?
use their members How many% or figure) (estimate
___________________ Bill Period
Identify an audit team from club members and volunteers.
Food Waste kgs
CHECKL is leading
considering Are you ban? complete
Are you considering a phased introduction or complete ban?
Is there a dedicated volunteer to monitor progress?
Have you a plan for non-compliance?
3
Complete data sheet template Request annual waste data from your club treasurer or waste collector. Data should include quantities of recyclable, food and general waste collected. It is recommended that figures are based on 2019 data due to the absence of completed data for 2020.
kgs
Recyclable Waste kgs
Use Cups
Eliminati
Who
Is there
Some waste service providers may provide a specific collection service for segregated compostable beverage cups. Check with your provider. This option is preferred to the use of disposable cups, however the use of a reusable cup is the best option and should always be promoted.
CHECKLIST
Have you set dates for the complete ban to commence?
THE WASTE AUDIT CAN BE REPEATED PERIODICALLY AS AN EFFECTIVE TOOL TO MONITOR AND EVALUATE OF MONITORING AND EVALUATION YOUR CLUBS JOURNEY
Audit Tasks
Form an Audit Team
General Waste Lift
Desktop waste audits are a great way of getting a baseline of where your club is at and what goals are realistic in terms of waste prevention and recycling.
1
Size of Bins
Single
simple by some be eliminated the elimination and can you address ban. help club waste g a complete sport checklist will item in undertakin waste The followingbasis or by common phased are a nt decisions. on a DETAILS use cupsmanageme – whether Single and cups planningof single use
Who is leading this initiative?
How many members have their own reusable bottle? (estimate % or figure)
Please use relevant column based on your bill i.e. kg or lift
Bill Period
DETAILS
Who is involved - teams, whole club etc.?
Waste Collector: _______________________________________________________________
A desktop waste audit is a method of conducting an assessment of the waste produced at your club, by reviewing waste bills and invoices supplied by your Waste Contractor, to determine the overall quantities of waste generated, in addition to identifying the quantities of waste segregated for recycling. This will allow you to determine how much waste you send for both recycling and general waste disposal.
!
Using a reusable cup will prevent waste and have a positive impact on our environment.
Elimination Checklist
Elimination Checklist
CHECKLIST
Data Collection Sheet
TE
ION
Single Use Cups
Single Use Plastics
some simple planning and management decisions. The following checklist will help you address the elimination of single use bottles – whether on a phased basis or by undertaking a complete ban.
Desktop Waste Audit
WA S
NT
Have
TIP! Communicate ‘good practice’ messages within the club and work towards this being the norm.
Desktop Waste Audit
NK
VE
guardians, parents, briefed? Have etc. been coaches
Make a start with our Single Use Plastics Elimination Checklist the next page... Single use plastic bottles are aon common waste item in sport club waste and can be eliminated by
- Videos/Testimonials
How to carry out a
01
Soft Plastic 01
Guidance on eliminating
Improve segregation opportunities and increase the level of recycling;
Identified in General Stream
ce reduGLE
- Waste Segregation Guidance Reducing the amount of waste generated, with a particular emphasis on single use items.
kgs Identified in General Stream
Paper Cardboard Food Waste
• How to Segregate & Recycle Waste
and actual
Guidance
Identified in Recycling Stream
Date:_____________________
Paper
Managing waste and developing waste prevention and recycling initiatives within the club and aiming to achievement of 0% to landfill throughout 2021 by:
- Elimination of Single Use Plastics
kgs Identified in Recycling Stream
Overall Quantity KG
_____________________
Bin posters
For example, if quantities of Single Use Plastics & general waste are high, and if recycling rates are low, significant improvements can be made.
3. Develop an action plan Balance the survey Carry out the audit on a selection of waste. Auditing 25% will give a good indication - 1 in 4 bags. Choose how many bags to audit and ensure you have a good representation of all areas from the organisation, i.e. offices, pitches, changing rooms, canteen etc.
Label each bag This will ensure that you can identify the area the waste originated from.
Total of Overall Number of Bags Collected for Audit:
2. Identify any problem areas for improvement Bin posters
Following the review calculate based on findings the daily, weekly and annual projected waste totals and chart in both kgs and % for general and recyclable waste. See recording sheet.
Request data Request annual waste data from your waste collector, including quantities of recyclable, food & general waste.
4
Collect waste in clear bags Set up your waste collection for the audit by using clear bags for all waste streams in the entire facility, including where applicable, grounds, changing rooms, offices, canteen etc
Data analysis from audit
3
Risk assessment Carry out a risk assessment of the activity
5
__________________
Cardboard
THE WASTE AUDIT CAN BE REPEATED PERIODICALLY AS AN EFFECTIVE TOOL TO MONITOR AND EVALUATE OF MONITORING AND EVALUATION YOUR CLUBS JOURNEY.
kg %
coordinated the development of a
Who is communicating message to entire club community?
Have alternatives been promoted?
Have you a notice board to update club members?
Are you considering using delf or reusable cups?
Have you considered a visual to share current situation with wider club?
8
Quantifying Single Use Plastic Bottles - Desktop Exercise This exercise will allow clubs to quantify the amount of single use plastic bottles that can be potentially eliminated – calculations can be based on individuals, teams, by age etc.
Conduct a full waste audit Undertake a full waste audit when Level 1-5 restrictions have been lifted.
TOTALS
16
Weighing Scales
1. Calculate totals
expert partners, the RWMOs have
Assessing contents of bins for audit
Audit Preparation
Water; Travel & Transport. As
01
Total Number of Bags Used for Audit:
Materials
A waste audit should be conducted at the beginning of your pathway to sustainability and intermittently thereafter. The data collected will highlight the current situation and will provide the club with a benchmark against which progress can be measured.
Waste Management Charter
Individual protection gloves & masks
When to conduct a waste audit
Energy; Waste; Biodiversity;
01
Ensure you have the following materials to conduct audit:
A waste audit is a method of conducting an assessment of the waste produced at your club, by assessing the overall quantities of waste generated, identifying the different types of waste (paper, plastic, food etc.) and their quantities. An audit will give your club an opportunity to compare recycling and disposal rates and will highlight opportunities for improvement. Waste audits are a great way of getting a baseline of where your club is and what goals are realistic in terms of waste prevention and recycling.
is focusing on five thematic areas,
Data Collection Sheet Bin posters
Equipment Checklist
What is a waste audit
The GAA Green Club Programme
Waste Audit Bin posters
Number of club members / players
How many training sessions /matches (engagements)
1
Assumption of 1 bottle per person per engagement
If you are considering compostable cups, ensure that they meet the EN 13424 standard and that all cups can be disposed within your facility and collected for composting by your waste contractor. Have you identified green leaders to inspire other?
Have you considered a visual to share current situation with wider club? Total amount of waste plastic bottles
Further information on good practice is available from mywaste.ie
17
Ireland’s Guide to Waste
National Waste Awareness Programme
2020