‘No waste In Braddan’….it sounds like a tall order, doesn’t it? But that’s the ambitious title of a new initiative launched on 15th September 2014 by Braddan Parish Commissioners in conjunction with Zero Waste Mann. Read on to find out how they plan to make the Parish an example of good practice in upping recycling rates to improve both the environmental and the financial picture for residents.
Did you know that your recycling actually earns money for the Parish? Good quality recycling; i.e. plastic, metal and paper which has been collected, cleaned and sorted, is actually a saleable commodity these days. Where once these things would have gone to landfill, creating a slew of environmental headaches for future generations, they’re now a source of valuable income to local authorities in much of the developed world.
And the Isle of Man’s no exception; for years now, both commercial and domestic residents have been encouraged to engage their brains before binning things – and to identify those which could be recycled and live to be used another day.
The forward-thinking Commissioners in Braddan are very much alive to this issue, being one of the small number of parishes which offers kerbside collections. Fortnightly collections take place in both Braddan and Douglas, and allow householders to recycle their paper, glass bottles and jars, food and drinks cans, aerosols, aluminium foil and plastic bottles, from the convenience of their homes. Meanwhile, collections of paper, brown cardboard and green waste take place in Malew.
Not content with having set up their kerbside collections scheme, Braddan Commissioners have teamed up with the folks at waste reduction enthusiasts Zero Waste Mann, a local charity, to encourage their parishioners to up their efforts. The aim being to make Braddan into a shining example of what can be done to conserve and recycle our resources and keep our Island rubbish free.
The team has a packed year of events in mind and a number of announcements will be made in the coming months. The scheme itself launches on Monday 15th September with a launch event at 2pm at the Commissioners’ offices in Union Mills. Following this, Zero Waste Mann are working with the Commissioners’ staff to plan film evenings, school visits, discussion evenings and a family challenge – “Slim Your Bin”, where a small number of households will be invited to assess their recycling performance at the outset and then see how big a change they can make, just by putting some new habits into practice. It promises to be an interesting event!
It’s not just domestic waste that the Commissioners are targeting: they’re keen to engage with the business community, to find ways in which cost-effective waste recycling can be put into practice (and where it’s already happening, to share tips with other organisations).
Commissioners’ Chairman, Andrew Jessopp said; “We’re really optimistic we can help people bring about significant changes in the coming year. The pay-offs are multiple; less waste cluttering our landscape and bins, more money for the Parish through profitable recycling and reduced incineration charges, and increasing pride in our local environment. Plus there’s the added benefit of, we hope, some fun – the Zero Waste Mann team aim to get people talking to one another, and to start some friendly competition in a number of locations. We think Braddan’s the best Parish on the Island in a number of respects, and we aim to keep it that way!”
Keep an eye on this website and our Facebook Page for details of forthcoming events.
The first event we have planned is a film night at the Memorial Hall on Friday 26 September; doors open at 7pm for a 7.15 start. We’ll be showing a short film called “The Story of Stuff”. More details to follow. Keep an eye on our Events calendar for future events.
CONTACTS FOR MORE INFORMATION
Moira Radcliffe (moira@braddan.im), Deputy Clerk and Finance Officer to the Commissioners at Braddan Commissioners’ offices, or
Muriel Garland (murielgarland@wm.im), Chair of Zero Waste Mann
