Bacardi International Limited, Island Glass and Tops Ltd. are partnering with the Ministry of Works and Engineering's Waste Management Section on recycling and waste reduction initiatives in the workplace.

Bacardi began its green initiative by introducing TAG (tin, aluminium and glass) recycling at their global headquarters on Pitts Bay Road. They have also installed a compost bin on their premises that has significantly reduced food waste from their kitchen and staff dining area and will produce a finished compost product that can be used in their landscaping scheme.

Staff members have joined the green initiative by bringing their worn-out electronic items or E-Waste in to a common collection point for recycling. Norma Thomson, event coordinator and green spokesperson for Bacardi, says that they've only just begun to go green and are evaluating energy saving technologies to help cut costs while helping the environment.

Tops Ltd. has joined with Waste Management in a recycling programme for old copiers, fax machines, toner cartridges and other E-Waste. Customer demand has helped to propel Tops Ltd's green initiatives which, in turn, will help other customers go green. Tops has also initiated TAG recycling and will be reviewing other green initiatives to help cut costs and create a better working environment for its staff.

Island Glass has partnered with Waste Management on recycling aluminium window and door frames. This initiative will keep valuable metal recyclables out of the waste stream while saving Island Glass tipping fees at the Airport Waste Management Facility.

Green initiatives in the workplace help companies to cut operating expenses and help human health and the environment while encouraging employees to do the same at home. It is important for all consumers to divert recyclable tin, aluminium and glass, and electronic or E-Waste components from the incinerator where they comprise hazardous waste due to heavy metals contents such as lead, nickel, lithium and cadmium, all of which can pollute the environment and threaten human health.

When recycled properly, the metals can be put back into circulation, decreasing the need for new metal mining. Cans recycled in Bermuda are turned into new cans and can be on retail shelves once again within three months of shipment to the US.

Bermuda's E-Waste recycler, located in Philadelphia, PA, meets all EPA and regulatory standards for safe recycling. Plant workers operate in a clean, risk-free environment. All E-Waste components are shredded and precious metals are recovered for recycling into new consumer goods, ensuring that E-Waste shipped from Bermuda does not become landfill in other countries.

To learn more about Bermuda's recycling programmes, please consult the "What Goes Where" listing in the BTC phone book or visit www.wastemanagement.gov.bm. For specific questions e-mail recycle@gov.bm.

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Submitted by the Department of Waste Management