Tipperary firm Ryans Cleaning has delivered its own winning performance at the London Olympics having cleaned up more than 550 tonnes of waste left in Hyde Park and Victoria Park, where more than a million visitors passed through over the two-week spectacular. During the course of the two weeks, Ryans employed more than 3,600 staff to meet the demands of the operation, using 63,000 refuse sacks and 5,400 pairs of gloves in the process.

Pat Ryan, managing director of Ryans Cleaning, says: “The preparations for this event started back in September. We had to devise a logistical plan of how to move waste in the heart of London during these high volume weeks. We also had to mobilise our people and make sure they had transport to arrive on site on time each day to do the job.”

He adds: “The venues were open each day from 11am to midnight, and it was our job to ensure the parks were clean and maintained during the day and when the visitors left it was down to our night cleaning team to return the venues to their tip-top condition. It was a great team effort.”

The BT London Live event at Hyde Parkf and Victoria Park featured giant screens, music, games and entertainment for the Olympic crowds.

During the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations, 300 of the Ryans Cleaning team provided services at Battersea Park, Victoria Park and sections of Hyde Park and it is estimated that the team gathered between 70 and 90 tonnes of rubbish.

With a turnover in excess of £4 million, Ryans Cleaning employs more than 70 people full-time and 150 seasonal staff serving the requirements of fixed venues, international events, tradeshows and exhibitions as well as commercial, office and industrial cleaning premises in the UK and Ireland.

Following the Silver award received by The Ritz-Carlton, Powerscourt in 2010, a Gold Standard recognition was this year awarded to the hotel by the Green Hospitality Awards on account of the improvements made by the hotel and the Environmental Action Plan focusing on energy, waste and water management.

Environmental upgrades at the hotel include increasing recycling rates by more than 50% from 37% to 75%. The engineering team has focused on radically reducing energy usage through investing in the upgrading of the Building Management System. Light bulbs in guest rooms and public areas were changed to LED from incandescent making the hotel 75% LED/low energy lighting. A tree management plan was put in place to reforest the grounds to native Irish trees such as Ash and Oak and improve the biodiversity of the hotel’s grounds. Sub-metering the entire hotel also allowed better control of where all the energy is being consumed, identifying opportunities to reduce and measure it more accurately

Guests are involved more when they are asked to join in the environmental pledge, towel and linen re-use programs and offering Green Meetings packages to conferencing guests. Furthermore the hotel has been successful in sustainable food sourcing by having at least 8 food items sourced locally and all of the culinary and restaurant teams are fully aware which food items these are in order to be able to communicate this to guests. Single portion packaged items have been removed from the buffet thus reducing unnecessary packaging and raw materials.

‘Greening Irish Hospitality’ is the focus and aim of the Green Hospitality Awards(GHA) which are now recognised as one of the most successful programmes in Europe. This is a voluntary programme that demonstrates leadership in environmental management within the hospitality sector.

The Government has published a discussion document for public consultation concerning the development of a new national waste policy. The Programme for Government commits to putting in place a national waste policy that will adhere to the EU waste hierarchy and deliver a coherent approach to waste management, minimising the waste going to landfill and maximising resource recovery.

The discussion document now being published has been prepared against that background. It is designed to promote discussion and debate and to provide an opportunity for all interested parties to input into the development of a policy framework that will shape our approach to waste management for the next decade and beyond. It is important that the new policy is informed by a broad range of interests.

“In addition to receiving the essential perspectives of analysts of waste policy and the waste industry itself, I am anxious also to receive the views of the public and those businesses and other organisations which are customers of waste services,” comments Phil Hogan TD, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. “The discussion document is not prescriptive – instead it sets out a range of possible policy initiatives and issues for wider consideration and presents a real opportunity for interested parties to contribute to shaping a new national waste policy.”

The consultation period will close on Friday 30 September 2011 and it is intended that the finalised policy will be completed by end-2011. The discussion document is available on the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government website – www.environ.ie/en/Publications/Environment/Waste/WasteManagement/FileDownLoad,27540,en.pdf.

The amount of waste from Scottish homes and businesses being landfilled has dropped by almost 36% in the past five years, with the amount of waste generated falling and waste recycling increasing.  Between 2005 and 2009, the total amount of waste generated fell by 22%, according to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) in its annual Waste Data Digest.

During the same period, the total amount of controlled waste landfilled in Scotland dropped from 7.3 million tonnes in 2005 to 4.7 million tonnes in 2009. The amount of biodegradable waste landfilled fell by 26%, and waste treated by waste management sites in Scotland rose by 30% over the past five years. The amount of household waste recycled and composted grew by 45% between 2005 and 2009.

“The conclusions from these latest figures are very encouraging and show that, as a nation, we are producing less waste, recycling more and landfilling less – all of which is good news for protecting the environment,” says Martin Marsden, head of Environmental Quality at SEPA. “There are still challenges ahead and we must all accept that new services, facilities and, most importantly, changes to our lifestyles will be needed if we are to further prevent, reuse and recycle our waste in Scotland. We will be working with the Scottish Government and Zero Waste Scotland, the waste management industry and Scottish local authorities to help make that happen.”

The Environment Section of Clare County Council has announced details of its annual environmental inspection plan which sets out a planned work programme aimed at maintaining and enhancing County Clare’s natural environment. The Plan sets out the inspection criteria for environmental inspections across all of the environment work areas including water, waste, air quality, noise and agriculture. It also sets the targets for undertaking inspections of regulated facilities and the method for dealing with complaints, enforcement actions and prosecutions.

The Plan has been submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency, which defines the schedule of inspections which will be undertaken during 2011.

In 2010, over 3,600 inspections were carried out by waste enforcement staff of Clare County Council covering, among other things, investigation of waste and litter complaints, inspections of permitted waste facilities, visits to tyre outlets and vehicle checkpoints to monitor movement of waste.

A similar level of activity is taking place under the 2011 environmental inspection plan with a particular focus on unauthorised sites used for disposal of end-of-life or scrap vehicles, proper recycling of organic waste by households and businesses and the appropriate management and collection of waste tyres.

GMIT Castlebar is the first Institute of Technology campus in Ireland to be awarded a Green Flag. The award follows three years of diligent work undertaken by students and staff since commencing the Green-Campus Programme in 2008.

The Green-Campus Programme is an international environmental education and award scheme that promotes long term, whole college action for the environment.

The Green-Campus Programme, operated in Ireland by An Taisce, on behalf of the Foundation for Environmental Education has seen GMIT Castlebar establish an environmental committee and make substantial changes in waste, energy and water management.. Some notable achievements include: a 60% reduction in paper use, and diversion of a minimum of 12 tonnes of waste from landfill through recycling and composting. An estimated 72 tonnes per year of CO2 are being saved through improved energy initiatives and water conservation measures are saving almost 1,000 litres of water per day.

The staff and students benefit the local and wider community by recycling printer cartridges and mobile phones to raise money for Concern and the Jack and Jill Foundation. They also conduct regular litter collections and members of the campus Kayak Club carry out clean-ups on the Castlebar River.

CAPTION:

Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD and Charles Stanley-Smith, chairman of An Taisce raise the Green Flag at the GMIT Campus in Castlebar with students and staff.

Businesses can cut energy, waste and water costs by up to 50% below the Irish average by implementing efficient environmental strategies, according to the Green Hospitality Programme (GHP). The GHP is calling on businesses to be more aware of the opportunities available to them if they ‘go green’.

The GHP, an Irish certification programme designed for the tourism and hospitality industry which awards businesses who meet prescribed environmental criteria, is highlighting the many benefits of good environmental practice to Irish businesses through a series of free workshops around the country in 2011. The next stage in the workshop series will take place in Dublin and Cork, and the GHP is inviting interested hospitality businesses to attend to find out how easy it is to become more environmentally friendly and reduce costs as a result.

The upcoming workshops in Dublin and Cork will include a special Energy Master Class on the following topics: ‘Buying Energy Smartly’, ‘Power Optimisation’ ‘21st Century Lighting for Hospitality Businesses’. There will also be two general workshops on in each location – one for certified GHP members and one for new members or interested parties who want to learn more about the certification process. All Green Hospitality members are encouraged to attend one of the workshops in order to keep informed of developments in environmental management and developments in the GHP.

“Our hotel and guesthouse members have made savings of up to €2,000 per bedroom annually by being environmentally proactive. This can make a significant difference to businesses looking to compete in these challenging times,” points out said James Hogan, director of GHP. “By adopting the green criteria, they are not only having a positive impact on their bottom line, but also they are also achieving an internationally recognised environmental certification, becoming legally compliant and tapping into a whole new market both in Ireland and abroad which is demanding environmentally friendly businesses”

Upcoming Green Hospitality Workshops:

* 20th April, International Airport Hotel, Cork.

* 4th May, Stillorgan Park Hotel, Dublin.

The workshops are free of charge and open to anyone who might be interested. For more information or to register your attendance for a workshop, email info@ghaward.ie or phone Mary Hilliard on 021-435 4688. Alternatively visit www.greenhospitality.ie.

The number of groups from around Ireland and Northern Ireland participating in the ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2011 has increased by 40% compared to last year. To mark this increased interest, and give even more young people the chance to get involved in what is set to be Ireland’s biggest ever celebration of Eco-Action, ECO-UNESCO is keeping registration open until December 22nd and groups have until February 22nd 2011 to get their projects in.

The ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards recognise and reward the achievements of young people in environmental protection and are open to any group of young people, aged 10-18, who want to take action on key environmental issues such as climate change, energy, waste, biodiversity, transport and more.

Teachers and youth leaders can register groups of 2-25 young people at www.ecounesco.ie or by contacting ECO-UNESCO at +353 1 6625491, yea@ecounesco.ie.

The European Environment Agency (EEA) has launched its fourth Environment State and Outlook report (SOER 2010). This report provides an overview of the state of Europe’s environment, how and why it is changing, and what we are doing about it.

The Environmental Protection Agency provided Ireland’s input into the SOER 2010 analysis through the EPA’s Environment in Focus website. Environment in Focus provides accessible, up-to-date environmental indicators and analysis arranged under seven themes – climate change, air, water, waste, land, nature and socio-economics.

Dr Mary Kelly, EPA director general.

Dr Mary Kelly, EPA director general, comments: “The EPA welcomes the publication of the EEA SOER 2010 report. Many of the issues highlighted by the EEA as challenges for the European environment are also issues in Ireland, as demonstrated by the analysis provided to the EEA through Environment in Focus.”

The EEA report states that a fully integrated approach to transforming Europe to a resource-efficient green economy can result, not only in a healthy environment, but also in a boost to prosperity and social cohesion.

“We support the EEA findings that the transition to a genuinely green economy has substantial benefits, not only for the environment, but also for the economy and society as a whole,” agrees Dr Kelly. “It would give us an opportunity to ensure that economic growth, when it returns, is sustainable. This is an important consideration, particularly in these difficult economic times.”

The report confirms that environmental policy, and actions in related areas, in the European Union and neighbouring countries have delivered substantial environmental improvements. Yet many challenges remain. There are increasing demands on natural resources to feed, clothe, house and transport people. Increased understanding of the links between climate change, biodiversity, resource use and people’s health all point to growing pressures on land, rivers and seas.

The EEA calls for increased resource efficiency and environmental protection, a better understanding of the value of the environment in monetary terms and a reflection of this in market prices – for example through environmental taxes. The Environment State and Outlook report 2010 encourages a greater understanding of the state of the environment and its future outlook and calls for an increased engagement of the public in developing environmental policy.

The Environment State and Outlook report – SOER2010 is available on the EEA website at www.eea.europa.eu/soer/synthesis/synthesis.

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.

Castlemartyr Resort in East Cork has received an environmental award from Green Hospitality Ireland, the only Irish developed environmental certification standard for the hospitality sector. Following an audit from the Green Hospitality Programme in May 2010, Castlemartyr gained the award for its sterling green credentials. This means recognition of the hotel’s innovative efforts in introducing an environmental action plan focusing on energy, waste, and water management, as well as developing strong environmental practices right across the resort.

Green-aware activities underway at Castlemartyr include recycling of newspapers, plastics and bottles, energy conservation both at front and back of the hotel, using local suppliers to reduce travel costs and minimising food waste. Andrew Phelan, general manager of Castlemartyr Resort says: “One of our objectives here at Castlemartyr is to progress our environmental efforts to be as carbon neutral as we can, and our award recognises this”.

Students from Castlemartyr National School were recently involved in the annual Autumn bulb planting programme. Management at Castlemartyr resort invited local schoolchildren from third and fourth classes in Scoil Iosaf to get involved in an array of outdoor activities, from bulb planting, to seed growing and even the creation of a vegetable garden as part of Castlemartyr’s Resort Environmental Programme.

This Autumn, Castlemarytr Resort is carrying out a series of works on the grounds, including collecting seeds, propagating cuttings, germinating and growing seeds in the poly tunnel, as well as planting more trees, shrubs and bulbs, kindly supplied by Dundrum Nurseries in County Tipperary.

The Basel Action Network (BAN), the global environmental waste watchdog group which first exposed the dumping of waste from electronic and electrical equipment (WEEE) from developed countries to China and West Africa, has brought its electronic recyclers certification to Europe. Redemtech EU, of Cranleigh, Surrey, has become the first electronics recycler outside of the United States to be e-Stewards Certified. Three more European facilities are in queue to be certified in the next months.

E-Stewards is a globally accredited, third-party audited certification program that ensures customers that recyclers do not deposit toxic electronic waste in landfills or export it to developing countries – illegal under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive – and that the facility operates in accordance with all applicable local and international laws.

To become a certified e-Stewards Recycler, Redemtech met BAN’s e-Stewards Standard and independent audits to that standard by an ANAB-accredited certifying body. Redemtech was among the first companies to receive the e-Stewards certification when BAN launched the program in the US in April 2010. Redemtech currently operates four e-Stewards certified facilities in the US.

Electronics recycling in the United States.

“Despite it being blatantly illegal, far too much toxic WEEE is being exported to developing countries,” says BAN’s Jim Puckett. “E-Stewards Certification is critical to fight against illicit e-waste exports and provides customers of WEEE recyclers, both large and small, with concrete accountability in the form of third-party audits. Certified e-Stewards Recyclers, like Redemtech EU, have proven systems in place to ensure customers that they do not have to rely on trust when it comes to choosing a recycler.”

The new e-Stewards Certification is currently available in all 41 OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation), EU (European Union) and EFTA (European Free Trade Association) countries. Companies and institutions that agree to make best efforts to always use e-Stewards recyclers, can be designated as e-Stewards Enterprises. Currently Samsung, Capital One, Premier Farnell, Bank of America and Wells Fargo Banks are among the already designated e-Stewards Enterprises.

The e-Stewards Standard has been endorsed by the Environmental Justice Foundation in the UK and the European Environmental Bureau, Greenpeace USA, the Sierra Club, and the Natural Resources Defense Council among more than 60 other environmental organizations. For more information about the e-Stewards Initiative visit: www.e-Stewards.org.