Environmental performance has topped the agenda at Banbridge District Council, following the implementation of sustainable development and sustainable procurement policies.

The council said it had recognised Northern Ireland's substantial contribution to the UK's overall ecological footprint and decided to take action.

Director of Environmental Services at the council, David Lindsay, said: "Here we would need three planets to sustain our current lifestyle. Learning how to live in a more sustainable way is important to the protection of our planet for future generations."

He said, since March last year, the duty has fallen on local authorities to promote sustainable development in their businesses activities, as well as promoting environmental policies when possible.

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"As a leading local authority in the area of sustainable waste management, these policies complement the sustainable way in which we have been managing our facilities and delivering our services for many years now," said Mr Lindsay.

"For example, in March 2006 we achieved the internationally recognised ISO 14001 Environmental Management Standard for introducing many green practices and policies into the running of the Civic Building and two departments, Technical Services and Environmental Health.

"All council departments and facilities will be accredited to this standard within next few months. Opened last April, our expanded community-recycling centre is a showcase of sustainability with its range of eco-friendly features.

"As these examples demonstrate, we are committed to being an exemplar for sustainable development and doing our bit to help future generations grow up in a greener and cleaner environment," added the Environmental Services Director.

The sustainable procurement policy promotes good practice in the purchasing of a wide range of products, including chemicals, electrical goods, food, furniture, paper, printing equipment, stationery, timber and vehicles.

The sustainable development policy promotes good practice in ensuring all council-led projects, services and activities achieve a better balance between economic growth, environmental protection and social progress without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

(PR/JM)