Tackling waste (From Witney Gazette)

Tackling waste

9:00am Wednesday 19th April 2006 in Witney

HUNDREDS of businesses are ready to recycle and reduce waste to save money and the environment.

Nearly 300 firms have requested a Waste Reduction Pack after Oxfordshire County Council launched the initiative two months ago. Designed to help small and medium sized companies to look at their waste and think of ways to reduce the amount they produce from recycling to reusing, or by communicating better with their suppliers.

Government targets for reducing landfill means the tax on rubbish sent to such sites has gone up by £3 per tonne every year a cost which is passed onto businesses.

Council officers hope the pack, which was developed in partnership with the South East of England Development Agency (SEEDA), will boost the economy by lowering firms' costs, as well as benefit the environment.

Councillor Roger Belson, cabinet member for Sustainable Development, said: "The current success of this pack highlights our commitment as a county to waste reduction."

Businesses can request a waste pack by calling 08450504550, by emailing waste.management@oxfordshire.gov.uk, or by visiting the waste website at www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/commercialwaste.