The second European Week for Waste Reduction runs from 20th to 28th November 2010. The idea of the European Week for Waste Reduction is to raise awareness about the waste reduction strategies of EU and Member States, and to encourage behaviour changes to promote more sustainable consumption and production.
Thirty organising authorities across 16 different EU Member States are taking part. In Ireland, over 46 different events are planned all around the country aimed at the general public as well as business and other organisations. These events are designed to highlight the ongoing work being done on waste prevention and resource efficiency in the areas of waste, water and energy.
The following prevention partner organisations have been involved in developing the events: Repak/EPA Packaging Prevention Programme, Green Hospitality Programme, Clean Technology Centre, An Taisce Green Home/Schools, NUI Galway and Green Business along with local authorities in Kilkenny, Carlow, Monaghan, Galway, Cork, Limerick, Clare and Kerry.
Over 46 different events are planned throughout the week at different locations around the country many of which are open to the general public. These range from the release of the 6th Report of the National Waste Prevention Programme by the EPA, to business seminars and public information events in a wide variety of locations. National and local radio advertising is being used to raise awareness in conjunction with regional newspapers. A website at www.ewwr.ie has been set up to provide details of the different events around the country.
In Ireland, the European Week for Waste Reduction is co-ordinated by the EPA-led National Waste Prevention Programme. The European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR) is part of a three year project supported by the Life+ Programme of the European Commission.