More Information needed on New Recycling Scheme

4.47.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 23rd Oct 2008

Lib Dems have pressed for action on plastic bottle recycling

Lib Dem councillors sent out a strong message to the council's Environment Committee meeting on Wednesday 22nd October that local residents need clear and detailed information on the new recycling regime.

The new system will be phased in from February 2009 but Cllrs Morris, Buxton and Pavey all felt that residents were still unclear about collection of food waste, exactly what materials can go in to the current "paper" collection and what kind of plastic bottles will be collected. Comments from residents who had responded to the survey in Borough Insight and a second survey from those registered in the Citizens Panel made it obvious that publicity needed to continue. Cllr Morris said "too great a number of respondents to these surveys felt their wheelie bins would be full or overfull after two weeks and I cannot believe this will be the case once all the recyclables are being collected. The message isn't getting across about how little waste should actually be left in the green wheelie bin once the new collections start."

There were also comments from survey respondents who were opposed to food waste collection or felt the system just wouldn't work. Council officers confirmed that they would be prepared to talk personally to older residents or those living in flats who were concerned about storing food waste.

"We did ask for information about the council making biodegradable food bags available for older folk so they could wrap food waste securely in a bag until it is collected. I think a lot of the time residents are just concerned how to deal with it so that it doesn't smell and become a problem and bags would help". added Cllr Morris.

If you would like more information on the scheme which begins in February contact Cllr Morris, Pavey or Buxton who are your representatives on the Environment Committee.