FLUORESCENT lighting could be the latest thing to be recycled in the island. The Environment Department is looking at ways to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill as it investigates the final strategy.

Locally-born Jan Dockerill, who spent 25 years in the UK working for Encams as its regional communication and campaigns officer, was recently appointed as the new recycling officer.

‘I think there’s enormous goodwill here for recycling. Guernsey residents have enormous pride in the island, how it looks and is cared for,’ she said.

‘I think sometimes there’s uncertainty about how to do it, not just on the domestic side, but commercially, and that’s why I want to lend a helping hand.’

She added that it was a case of ‘touching hearts and minds’.

‘Trying to get the message over, not in a dictatorial way. No one is looking at householders and seeing what they are doing with their kitchen waste, but I hope people will want to do the right thing.’

She added that principles applied at home translated to the work place.

‘My message to the commercial sector is get involved as much as you can. The Environment Department is working to get hold of more modern technology so we can help in various aspects, things like fluorescent tubes. We’re looking at recycling them on-island which we’ve not been able to do. It’s something we hope to be able to offer.’

The department recently launched its composting awareness campaign – kits are being made available through garden centres for £15, half their normal retail price.

She hoped people would carry on composting irrespective of the final solution upon which the States decided for solid waste.

‘But what we have got to worry about is what is going to landfill now. We need to extend its life as much as possible. Composting in a way may not seem like much, but multiply it by 40,000 householders, plus the gardens, and that’s a considerable amount to keep out of landfill.’