Ritchie applauds waste wood recycling initiative in Newry

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA, today praised the innovative 80/20 wood recycling project in Newry.

Under the scheme, waste wood and furniture is collected from homes and businesses in the area and is recycled, repaired and sold to the local community. Income is generated from the charges made from the waste wood collection service and from sales of wood and wood products made by the 80/20 trainees. Fees are also generated from the provision of training and day care places for people with a disability in the area.

The Minister said: "The 80/20 project is an excellent example of a community enterprise which will deliver multiple benefits for the area which it serves. Not only does it offer training opportunities for those who might find it difficult, for whatever reasons, to move into employment, but it also it helps to improve the environment by reusing wood products which might otherwise end up in land fill sites and provides a source of cheap wood products for those who live in the Neighbourhood Renewal area."

The project, which was part funded by the Department for Social Development (DSD) through the Neighbourhood Renewal Investment Fund, was developed through a partnership involving DSD, the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, Business in the Community and the Newry and Mourne Enterprise Agency.

The Minister also met a number of young people from St Mary’s and St Joseph’s High Schools who were visiting the 80/20 project as part of the Work 4 You project. This project, which a joint venture between Newry and Mourne District Council and Newry & Mourne Enterprise Agency has three main themes:

• tackling barriers to employment;
• improving the competences in the workforce and increasing participation; and
• attainment of disadvantaged young people.

The Minister said: “These projects offer encouragement and assistance for those, including young people and people with a disability in the area, hoping to enter the labour market in these current challenging times”

The Minister’s visit concluded with a viewing of the Ardcarne Park environmental improvement scheme which involves the demolition of six derelict properties in the central area of Ardcarne Park and associated environmental improvement works. The demolition of the properties and regrading of the area will be a forerunner to a major scheme planned for the estate in 2009/10.

Notes to Editors:

1. The 80/20 Recycling project was part funded by the Department for Social Development through the Neighbourhood Renewal Investment Fund and was developed through a partnership involving DSD, the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, Business in the Community and the Newry and Mourne Enterprise Agency.

2. The Ardcarne Park project involves the demolition of six derelict properties in the central area of Ardcarne Park and associated environmental improvement works.

3. Since the beginning of January, projects to a total value of over £600,000 have been approved for the Newry Neighbourhood Renewal area. The projects cover a wide range of activities including:

• the provision of sports, music and arts equipment for community groups;
• the provision of environmental improvements in Carnagat and Ardcarne;
• the provision of a new community/education facility at St Malachy’s Primary School, Martin’s Lane;
• the upgrading of the roads and footways in Mourneview Park, Derrybeg, Carnagat, Barcroft & Drumalane the area and;
• the erection of fencing at the Derrybeg football pitch.

4. During the current financial year the Department for Social Development has approved 15 projects at a total value of £1,170,000 in the Newry Neighbourhood Renewal Area. A similar programme of work has been identified for the incoming year.

5. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.