Launch of Event Recycling Guide

A guide designed to help event organisers implement successful recycling schemes at their events has been launched at this year’s Royal Welsh Agricultural Show by the Welsh Assembly Government Minister for the Environment, Sustainability and Housing, Jane Davidson.

This second edition of the ‘Wales Event Recycling Guide’ has been produced by the Wales Event Recycling Project – a joint Cylch (Wales Community Recycling Network) and Waste Awareness Wales initiative, supported and funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.

This year’s Royal Welsh Agricultural Show has become the most waste-aware yet with recycling points covering more areas of the showground and a team of 40 recycling wardens will be on-hand to help visitors with any questions.

All corporate caterers at the Show have been offered recycling collections for glass, cans, plastic bottles, cardboard and food waste, and cardboard will be collected from trade stands. In addition, caterers will be using biodegradable packaging for serving food and drink which will be collected and composted along with any food waste.

Last year, despite the terrible weather, there was a 77 per cent increase in the amount collected for recycling and composting during the Show.  With the expansion of visitors’ recycling facilities, and new systems in place for collecting from caterers and traders, it is anticipated there will be an even greater increase this year.

Welsh Assembly Government Minister for the Environment, Sustainability and Housing, Jane Davidson, said:

"The new Wales Event Recycling Guide is an excellent resource for events organisers to ensure they are doing their bit by reducing and recycling waste.

"It’s encouraging to see that the organisers of such a large scale and prestigious event as the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show are taking the recommendations of the Guide on board.  However, no matter what the size of the event, it’s important that organisers make recycling a priority and make it as easy as possible for people to recycle at the event."

David Walters, Chief Executive of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, added:

"Recycling is at the top of the waste management agenda for us.  The Wales Event Recycling Guide is a user-friendly document with practical advice and information on how to instigate a successful event recycling schemes as part of an integrated waste management plan.  This second edition of the guide includes the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show as a case study of a Welsh event that has implemented event recycling."

Click here to download Events Recycling Guide