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Targets D1-D5: Waste

  • Last modified date:
    8 February 2007
Part D of the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate ("the Framework"), was published in mid 2004. It takes account of the the Government's Waste Strategy published in 2000, and the priorities adopted for a waste hierarchy:

The Department has recently relet its Cleaning and Waste collection contract.  The contractors are required to implement a policy of continuous improvement in their waste management procedures.  This process has already started, and plans are being implemented to reduce the quantities of waste arising, and also to increase the proportion of our waste that is recycled.  Currently  all paper, cans, glass and fluorescent tubes discarded from our London buildings are sent for recycling, and we also have arangements to recycle printer and toner cartridges, and IT equipment.  In 2003/4 over 68% of the total waste produced on our London estate was recovered.

All staff with access to the DH intranet site can view information on how to minimise their waste, both at work and at home.  Staff awareness events have also been held. The Department has an ongoing campaign to reduce the quantity of e-mails being sent, and the proportion of e-mails being printed out. The Department also has a policy that all new printers should have the facility to print double sided.

  • waste reduction, reuse, recycling and composting,
  • energy recovery with heat and power,
  • landfill with energy recovery,
  • landfill.

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