Recycling
initiative shows the way
Foodland’s recycling initiative
at the beginning of the month has raised a lot of awareness so
far according to the company’s financial controller. “It
was a great success. It was positive in that the older people
were the ones that really got behind the whole thing,” says
Kerry O’Meara of the 4 December event.Residents were
asked to bring used plastic bottles to Foodland to be sent to
New Zealand for recycling. O’Meara adds the event was organised
to raise public awareness about recycling.
Foodland now has two baling machines
to pack the cardboard and plastic bottles for recycling. O’Meara
says there are containers behind the Foodland supermarket for
the collection of cardboard and plastic bottles. He says people
wanting to drop off cardboard boxes can do so as long as they
are flattened. Plastic PET bottles should be washed and the lids
removed.
He says paper is also being accepted
for recycling and can be dropped off in boxes.The Foodland initiative
was set up to help reduce rubbish burning and to start recycling
the large amount of waste products that come with imported goods.“We’re
businesses and that’s where we tend to create the waste
products.”In future O’Meara says they will
be working in partnership with the government to continue various
projects under the initiative.“If we
can get the thing going, then they are willing to offer their
support.”
Part of the recycling project involves
the establishment of a new website that will be used as a focal
point for businesses, schools, government and environmental groups
to outline their projects. O’Meara says they have already
approached schools about having students working on recycling
projects and creating a page on the website. The chamber of commerce,
he says, and other businesses have also shown interest.Plans for
the new year include a community-wide initiative which proposes
drawing on the support of government departments and businesses
to help the recycling effort.
A recycling initiative in schools
is also on the cards says O’Meara, with rewards as an incentive
to start their own waste collections.Next year the project is
expected to expand to include the collection of whiteware and
electrical components. In the meantime Foodland is talking with
New Zealand recycling companies to see what they are willing to
recycle. Foodland’s overseas suppliers are also looking
into how they can help with the recycling effort.
O’Meara says the issue of
recycling was raised at the national environment forum held at
the beginning of the month. He says the issue of what people are
going to do for their environment tomorrow is very important.
O’Meara says the Foodland initiative has been set up to
show people can do something for their environment and says other
groups will no doubt start their own projects as a result.
Helen Greig, reporter for Cook
Islands News
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