Programme: Carlow
WHO Theme: Outdoor Spaces and Buildings
Cost: 10000+
Status: Completed
Description
Carlow County Council launched an innovative project to provide increased recycling opportunities for everyone in our community by introducing their universal access facility at Powerstown Civic Amenity Site. This addition to the recycling area ensures that everyone in our community, no matter what age or ability, can now play their part and recycle a wide range of household items. Staff at Powerstown Civic Amenity site recognised many of the existing facilities were not designed to offer everybody in our community an opportunity to recycle and to provide a facility that was accessible to Age Friendly. They established that facilities such as bottle banks and paper banks were too high for wheelchair users, children and some of the older members of our community. Following consultation and informative contributions from relevant organisations such as the Age Friendly, IWA, Irish council for the blind and County Carlow Universal Access Movement, this team designed a facility that is safe, suitable and centrally placed for everyone to use.
Aim of Initiative
This project breaks down barriers to recycling for people of all ages and abilities
providing functional, accessible and appealing ways to recycle.
Objectives were exceeded in delivering a project that was operationally effective in attracting significant increases in recycling in the civic amenity site.
Carlow County Council wanted to ensure that all residents, regardless of their location, socioeconomic status, age or physical abilities, have equal and convenient access to recycling facilities and services. The initiative seeks to promote inclusivity and environmental sustainability by removing barriers and providing the necessary infrastructure and resources for individuals to effectively recycle their waste.
The key objective is to increase recycling rates and divert recyclable materials from ending up in landfills or being improperly disposed of. By expanding access to recycling, the initiative aims to encourage responsible waste management practices, reduce the environmental impact of waste, conserve resources, and contribute to the overall transition towards a more circular economy.
In addition to improving recycling infrastructure and access, the initiative may also include educational campaigns and community engagement activities to raise awareness about the importance of recycling, proper waste separation, and the environmental benefits associated with recycling. By fostering a culture of recycling and behavior change, the initiative seeks to establish long-term habits and sustainable waste management practices within the community.
Ultimately, the aim of the Recycling Access for All Initiative is to create a more inclusive, environmentally conscious, and waste-free community by ensuring that every resident has the opportunity to participate in recycling efforts and contribute to a cleaner and greener future.
Who is it aimed at
Age Friendly, people with mobility issues and children.
3 Steps critical to success
- During the journey to establish barriers to use of recycling facilities, 4 distinct demographics emerged as having difficulties with
current facilities in our county:
• People with limited mobility i.e., wheelchair users
• People with intellectual challenges.
• Older persons/Age Friendly
• Children - The facility was designed to create a safe and inclusive environment for people of all ages and abilities to recycle their waste and be part of the county’s waste management system. The facility was equipped with a range of features to make it as accessible as possible including: low-level access points, lowered bins and infographics. The facility has been a great success and has encouraged more people to get involved in recycling their waste.
- The target sector benefitted through the provision of a resource that is:
• Functional: Practical for users in terms of reach, visibility, instruction and use.
• Accessible: Accessible in terms of location, parking, H&S.
• Appealing: Moving away from the stark colours of traditional facilities, the resource presents a colourful addition to the space
that would encourage use but also be cognisant of the needs of those with sensory issues i.e. to assist people with autism
3 Challenges in Planning / Delivery
- Infrastructure limitations: One of the primary challenges was the limited existing infrastructure for recycling in the area. Powerstown Civic Amenity Site lacked the necessary easier access to recycling facilities, collection points, or appropriate waste management infrastructure to accommodate the initiative. This necessitated significant planning and investment in building or upgrading infrastructure. This project was the first of its kind in Ireland, and Carlow County Council are proud to be the first local authority to roll out this innovative solution to make recycling easier and more accessible for everyone in our community. Most recycling bottle bank openings are (banks are 1.7m high) at a height of between 1.2m to 1.5m to allow the max capacity to be utilised which ignores the users that cannot reach that height. Our receptical openings are at a height of 600mm with a tray, which opens the access to wheelchair users, people with mobility issues, age friendly and children.
- Stakeholder coordination: Coordinating various stakeholders, including local authorities, waste management companies, community organizations, and residents, may have presented coordination challenges. Ensuring effective communication, collaboration, and alignment of goals and responsibilities among stakeholders were essential to the success of the initiative.
- Monitoring and evaluation: Establishing a system to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the Recycling Access for All Initiative was challenging. Developing metrics, collecting data, and analyzing the impact of the initiative on waste diversion rates and community participation required careful planning and implementation of monitoring mechanisms.
3 Outcomes / Benefits
- • Using a collaborative approach, design and build Irelands first of a kind recycling facility with universal access.
• Increase recycling rates throughout the County by ensuring social inclusion.
• Increase awareness of extensive recycling options to a wider audience.
• Enhance working relationships with stakeholders and community in our County by considering their needs and
implementing changes to support their endeavours.
• Improve facilities at Powerstown to enhance school visits and create an experience that children will enjoy, encouraging their
families to return. - • Support & enhance local and national Litter and waste policies:
• Waste management Act 2001 (As amended)
• Litter Pollution Act 1997 (As amended) Carlow County Council
• Litter Management Plan (2021-2023)
• Support the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
• SDG 9. Innovation & Infrastructure,
• SDG 10. Reduced inequalities,
• SDG12. Responsible Consumption & Production,
• SDG13, Climate Action,
• SDG 17 Partnership for the Goals. - These aims and objectives were exceeded in delivering an innovative project that was operationally effective as it attracted a significant increase in people recycling and visiting the civic amenity site. It encourages the circular economy of recycling and makes communities aware of the options available saving money and the environment from illegal dumping while also encouraging social inclusion.