The Gateshead Tidy Business Awards
Zoe McManus, Zoe's Cafe, Birtley
Businesses in Gateshead have pledged to help make the town cleaner and greener as part of our awards scheme.
Over 80 businesses in Birtley, Wrekenton and Low Fell have signed up to the Gateshead Tidy Business Awards scheme by promising to keep their shop front's spic and span and deal with all of their waste in a responsible way.
The Tidy Business Awards Scheme was launched in the South of the borough in 2007 and is being gradually extended right across Gateshead. The awards are to encourage everyone in Gateshead to take a pride in and take ownership of their town.
Christine Ridley and Michaela Robson, Martha's Pantry, Wrekenton High Street
Martha's Pantry on Wrekenton High Street is one of the businesses that are taking part in the scheme. Staff will ensure that litter, packaging and cigarette ends don't end up causing a nuisance outside of the shop and make sure that their rubbish does not block lanes until a registered carrier takes it away.
Michaela Robson from Martha's said: "Besides the fact that we all want to make sure we do our bit for the environment, making sure that the area around the shop is clean, tidy and inviting is pure and simple good business sense. Encouraging everyone to take a pride in the area can only be a good thing, for ourselves and all of the other businesses in the area."
Martha's already has already earned a bronze from the Tidy Business Awards scheme and is now working towards silver and eventually gold recognition by improving the amount of rubbish they recycle and keeping the area around their premises even cleaner.
So if you are a 'tidy' business and an example to others then Gateshead Council would like to award you for your efforts and help support you to make Gateshead a cleaner, greener and safer place. We support you in the following ways.
You will get:
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help to explore new ways to recycle waste;
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support to find the right organisations to take away your rubbish responsibly; and
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the chance to make a real difference to the environment.
We will give:
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free advice and support;
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help to monitor your progress; and
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free publicity opportunities as we tell people about these awards.
Depending on how 'tidy' you are - you will be awarded a Bronze, Silver or Gold Award certificate that you can display in your premises. You will also receive a window sticker to show your customers and competitors that you're supporting the scheme, and a poster encouraging your customers to be responsible about their litter.
Bronze Award
To achieve a Bronze Award, you need to:
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Inspect your shop frontage regularly and make sure it is free from litter, packaging and cigarette ends – it’s your responsibility to keep this area clean;
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Sign a Trade Refuse Agreement with a responsible private contractor who holds a Waste Carriers Certificate of Registration;
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Put rubbish out for collection at a time allocated by Gateshead Council or contractor, and not before;
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Be responsible and keep all rubbish secure in suitable containers. Never put out loose rubbish for collection;
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Have enough suitable space for waste storage between collections.
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Clear up waste spillages immediately;
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Make sure all waste disposal documentation is kept for inspection, for a minimum of two years;
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Educate your customers and reduce waste at the same time – ask your customers if they need a bag, instead of automatically handing one out and ask them to dispose of your packaging responsibly;
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Display anti-littering posters inside your business premises.
These are part of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 Duty of Care legislation|, which you must meet by law.
Silver Award
To achieve a Silver Award you need to have achieved a Bronze Award and be able to:
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Recycle as much of your rubbish as possible;
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For shops with trolleys, operate a trolley pick up service, or be part of an existing one;
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Clean shop frontage, remove graffiti and fly-posting.
Gold Award
To achieve a Gold Award, you need to have achieved a Bronze and Silver Award and be able to do the following:
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Keep premises and surrounding public areas clean and tidy, even if the rubbish is not yours;
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Support neighbourhood community activities such as taking part in or sponsoring community clean-ups.
You can download practical guidance on what is your duty under "Waste Management, The Duty of Care, A Code of Practice|"
How to join
Call Atif Bilal (the project co-ordinator) on 0191 433 7414 or register your interest online|.