AQW 18479/22-27

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 20/11/2024
Answered On Date: 28/11/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister whether their Department is implementing any measures to reduce general waste in buildings used by their Department or its arm's-length bodies.

Answer:

The Executive Office (TEO) and its arm’s length bodies take a number of measures to reduce general waste, as follows:

TEO raises awareness through the publication of intranet articles and related briefings.

Where catering is necessary for external events or meetings, care is taken to ensure the minimum amount required is ordered.

Food waste is collected from buildings and repurposed through anaerobic digestion by the NICS contractor into fertilizer or biogas.

Where possible, stationery items will be re-used rather than disposed of.

To reduce waste, plastic water cups have been replaced with recycled paper cups and reusable glassware provided in office kitchens.

Where possible, when items need to be replaced, they are replaced with recycled/sustainable items.

Recycling receptacles are placed throughout buildings to help reduce contamination and to make it easier for the contractor to separate and, where possible, recycle waste.