We are one of only two authorities in the country to be shortlisted as finalists in the National Recycling Awards ‘Best Commitment to Health and Safety Practices’ category. The winner will be announced at an industry awards ceremony on 15 November.
The National Recycling Awards recognise the best recycling practices in the country. While many of them focus on technical expertise, such as health and safety, all of the examples help to improve recycling rates and bring real benefits to local communities.
Committed to health and safety
Greenwich has a team of more than a hundred operatives who carry out over 143,000 household waste and recycling collections per week.
To ensure our waste and recycling service runs as smoothly as possible, we have made a real commitment to health and safety awareness among staff. This includes:
- Training through a film which stars Council staff who know exactly what it’s like to work in the waste industry, and more specifically in Greenwich.
- A training and induction booklet for all operational employees.
- A corporate uniform that includes wet weather and hi-visibility gear, and a rucksack to keep it in.
- Regular health and safety monitoring by supervisors.
- A comprehensive review of risk assessments.
- Regular feedback from frontline staff, so that health and safety practices are continually reviewed and updated.
Recycling facilities
Our Reuse and Recycling Centre has been designed in line with Government best practice. It incorporates split-level design to improve the safety and efficiency of the site. This makes it easier and safer for residents to use. The split-level design also keeps residents away from the busy service areas of the site.
The HSE London-wide audit of waste services conducted last year found that Greenwich had the best standards and processes for managing health & safety. For five consecutive years, good practice in waste services has also contributed to the Council achieving the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Gold Medal.
Read more about our recycling services
Nomination is encouraging
Cllr Rajwant Sidhu, Cabinet Member for Greener Greenwich, says: "Providing regular training and a safe environment for staff and residents to dispose of and recycle waste are essential elements of a successful waste management service.
"Knowing that we have some of the best practices in the country is very encouraging and provides a sound foundation to develop the service further. This all helps to achieve our overall aim of continuing to increase recycling rates in Greenwich."
25 October 2006