Recycling push for town hall staff

A huge drive to cut down on the amount of waste being sent to landfill sites from Manchester Town Hall is being launched this week.

The Big Recycle project, aimed at encouraging all 2,000 workers in the building and its adjoining extension to recycle everyday office items such as paper, toner cartridges and coffee jars, kicks off on Wednesday, April 2.

Staff will also be urged to reduce the amount of equipment they use, for example by reading e-mails on their computer screens rather than printing them out and by using mugs rather than disposable plastic cups.

The Big Recycle will later be rolled out to the City Council's other offices and depots across Manchester.

Manchester City Council is currently holding a consultation into recycling, with 1,000s of residents being asked how they think services can be improved.

But the City Council is keen to lead by example, and wants to turn its own administration buildings into recycling centres of excellence.

The project follows the Big Turn-off event, in which town hall staff were encouraged to save electricity at the complex.

The event, part of a year-long campaign to cut electricity use, took place on the night of Tuesday, March 11, with staff arriving at work the following morning to find a postcard bearing a smiley face placed on their desk if their computer had been turned off, or a grumpy face if it had been left on stand-by overnight. Just over half of the desks visited were left with a smile.

Councillor Eddy Newman, Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services, said: "We want to lead by example, and we believe this will send out a message to other big organisations about the importance of recycling.

"The City Council's staff are already keen on recycling, so we know they'll be eager to get on board with this project, and spread the message to their colleagues."

Manchester City Council launched Challenge Manchester - 100 Days to a cleaner, greener city 2008 on February 14 at Manchester Town Hall.

The campaign will run until 24 May 2008, featuring 100 days of intense activity all over Manchester with the first 50 days focussing on green issues - primarily waste minimisation, recycling and climate change - and the next 50 days focussing on community clean-ups, local environmental improvements and planting schemes.

The council will also be asking residents and businesses about what they want the council to do to help them minimise waste and recycle more.

Challenge Manchester began in 2004 with "Challenge Manchester: 100 Days to a Clean City", and in its fifth successful year the campaign returns to its core aim to "clean up" the city.

More information about Challenge Manchester and how you can participate appears on our website http://www.challengemanchester.co.uk/ . You can also e-mail campaigns.team@notes.manchester.gov.uk or telephone 0161 954 9000.

Media contact:

Conrad Astley, tel: 0161 234 4027