SITA Isle of Man has received a reward from the European Union for its education work in conjunction with the Department of Local Government and the Environment, which encourages people to reduce, reuse and recycle their waste, and to learn about the island’s energy-from-waste (EfW) facility.
As a member of EMAS – the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme – SITA Isle of Man received the UK award at the annual EMAS awards ceremony, which was held in Portugal and recognises exceptional environmental achievement among members.
To be eligible for EMAS membership, organisations must continually improve their environmental performance and to be considered for a 2007 award they needed to demonstrate that they have worked innovatively to minimise waste production.
SITA Isle of Man received the UK award for its ongoing education work, which aims to reduce the amount of waste produced by Manx residents. This was achieved by organising visits to the site’s education centre which has been jointly and equally funded by SITA Isle of Man and the Department of Local Government and the Environment.
Rita Greenwood, Compliance Manager at SITA Isle of Man said: “We work with the Department of Local Government and the Environment on a number of initiatives to help reduce the amount of waste that’s produced on the island. For example, we took part in a project to encourage schools on the island to enrol as eco-schools and we regularly welcome school groups to the EfW, where we explain more about sustainable waste management and the role of EfW. While Stephanie Gray, Waste Minimisation and Recycling Manager from the Department of Local Government and the Environment visits the schools and gives excellent presentations on waste minimisation and recycling.”
“And it’s not just school visits. SITA Isle of Man regularly hosts tours of the EfW facility for interest groups. This has included Women’s Institute groups, IOM Engineering Society, Zero Waste Mann, and the Photographic Society. This all helps to spread the message that people need to reduce the amount of waste they produce.”
Rita added: “I am very proud of our award. The judges were clearly impressed by our commitment to education, working with the Department of Local Government and the Environment, and the function of the EfW facility. Having EMAS accreditation is a great achievement for SITA Isle of Man and winning this award proves we are leading the way and showing the rest of Europe how to encourage residents to be more sustainable.”
