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2/08/2004
 The
Welsh Consumer Council has praised the effectiveness of the Centre for
Alternative Technology and local regeneration group ecodyfi in
helping the community take on environmental values.
This coincides with the publication of a new ecodyfi leaflet
pointing out where and how people can recycle their unwanted materials.
Jennie Bibbings, Senior Policy Officer at the Welsh Consumer Council,
said:
"We carried out some consumer research in Machynlleth in 2003 and we
were struck by the fact that most of the local residents we interviewed
were very clued-up about things like recycling, saving energy, and solar
panels.
" The residents we spoke to said this was largely down to community-based
initiatives such as ecodyfi and the Centre for Alternative Technology,
and the practical examples of sustainable living which they had introduced
to the community.
"The UK Government should be looking to places like Machynlleth
for best practice on how to encourage more widespread change."
New leaflet
To reinforce this, and to show people how easy recycling is nowadays,
ecodyfi has published a new leaflet.
It contains some of the information from its "Rubbish Resistance" website
www.ecodyfi.org.uk/waste.
The leaflet has "9 quick and easy ways to reduce your rubbish" and is
available from Ty Bro Ddyfi at 52 Maengwyn Street and from the Machynlleth
Spar shop.
ecodyfi's Tom O'Kane pointed out that recycling is no longer just
for greenies.
"Now that farmers are bringing their scrap to the Potters Recycling
Site and most Machynlleth residents are using the Council's collection
service we can see that recycling is the norm", he said.
Further information:
Tom O'Kane, ecodyfi
Waste Minimisation Officer 01654 703965
Andy Rowland, ecodyfi
Manager 01654 703965
The WCC Press release is below:
30th July 2004
Welsh Consumer Council calls on UK Government to look to Wales for best
practice
The UK Government should look to the Welsh town of Machynlleth to learn
lessons on how communities can take on environmental values, says the
Welsh Consumer Council.
The latest Defra-funded research has shown that the best way to encourage
people to live environmentally-friendly lifestyles is to bring about change
in communities.
Most people do not change their behaviour after watching government information
adverts on TV - but they do learn from watching their friends and neighbours.
In its response to Defra's consultation on its Sustainable Development
strategy, which ends tomorrow, the Welsh Consumer Council said:
"Communication can only support other initiatives which show people,
rather than just tell them, what sustainability means in practical terms.
Government should look to best practice from community initiatives, such
as those in the Welsh community of Machynlleth."
Jennie Bibbings, Senior Policy Officer at the Welsh Consumer Council,
said:
"We carried out some consumer research in Machynlleth in 2003 and we
were struck by the fact that most of the local residents we interviewed
were very clued-up about things like recycling, saving energy, and solar
panels.
"The residents we spoke to said this was largely down to community-based
initiatives such as ecodyfi and the Centre for Alternative Technology,
and the practical examples of sustainable living which they had introduced
to the community.
"The UK Government should be looking to places like Machynlleth
for best practice on how to encourage more widespread change."
ENDS
Notes to editors
1. Details of the Defra-funded research studies can be found at www.sustainable-development.gov.uk/publications/publications.htm.
2. The Welsh Consumer Council's full response to the consultation can
be found at www.wales-consumer.org.uk.
3. ecodyfi is the local regeneration organisation for the Dyfi
Valley, where Machynlleth is situated. The Centre for Alternative Technology,
Europe's leading Eco-Centre, is based in Machynlleth.
4. Defra is the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Contact
For further information please contact Jennie Bibbings 029 2025 5454
(office); 07887 948279 (mobile).
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