Action Plan

The Action plan has a number of targeted actions such as:

• The mandatory use of recycled paper (with 100% Post consumer waste content) throughout DOE for office printers and photocopiers by end of 2004.
• All paper used by the Department for external publications to be derived from at least 70% post consumer waste by 2006.
• A 10% reduction in paper use per year over the next 5 years.
• All DOE occupied buildings to have recycling plans in place by the end of 2005.
• Waste management awareness campaigns to be carried out during 2004-05.

The Action Plan is at the early stages of implementation, but it is reported that already the Department is beginning to see positive outcomes in terms of resource savings. Some sites using pilot contracts for increased recycling have demonstrated significant financial savings. This outcome is a result of the sites involved sending less waste to be landfilled by the local authority. Further savings will arise in years to come as landfill tax rises.