Rising to a recycling challenge

Nov 18 2008 by Francesca Craggs, The Journal

There are many small things we can do to live in a more sustainable fashion. On South Tyneside, green group Groundwork is working on two important projects to help improve all our futures, as Amy Hunt found out

FAMILIES in South Tyneside are being given help to lead a more green lifestyle for the future of the planet.

A million-pound recycling programme has begun in the borough to help local people, as well as businesses, do their bit.

South Tyneside Council and Groundwork South Tyneside and Newcastle are working in partnership to deliver the programme over the next two years.

Through events such as workshops for schoolchildren about recycling, the project aims to raise awareness about the recycling services available in the borough and also to make these easier to use and more accessible for residents and companies.

It is hoped the programme will help bosses reach their target of recycling 50% of all rubbish and cutting the amount going to landfill. Coun Michael Clare, lead member for environment, housing and transport at South Tyneside Council, said: “The programme is intended to underpin existing recycling initiatives, fill in gaps of service provision and educate our community about the issues surrounding waste management and sustainability.

“While satisfaction with our waste and recycling services has improved and we now currently recycle or compost around 28% of our household waste and a small proportion of the other types of waste, it is clear that for us to meet our targets of recycling 50% and reduce the landfill burden, there is a great deal more that needs to be done by everyone.”

More than £1.7m is being invested in the programme through South Tyneside Local Strategic Partnership.

This will be used to fund activities such as developing more personalised services, appointing six green champions to work with local communities and using awareness campaigns to change people’s attitudes and behaviour, working with schools, community groups and residents.

The green champions project is the result of a successful pilot developed in the Rekendyke area of South Shields. The champions will be working in neighbourhoods across the borough alongside residents to help increase recycling rates and participation on services such as Kerb-it.

They will also work with communities on local issues to support schemes relating to wider environmental issues such as graffiti, fly-tipping and fuel poverty.

Andrew Watts, operations director at Groundwork South Tyneside, said: “Recycling needs to be a part of everyday life. Therefore this programme will ensure that recycling is the first and only option open to residents and local businesses.

“This is a challenging programme that will need commitment from all parties.

“The biggest challenge will be sustaining the mindset change of the community to ensure recycling rates continue to rise in line with both the council and Government targets until 2050.

“Groundwork and the council already run a number of successful partnerships, including activities at the award-winning Recycling Village. The new programme will further develop this work.”