Whilst campaigning in Ilkeston I spotted this green recycling bag. Very appropriately hanging from an aeriel. Symbolic of the many recycled programmes on T.V., no doubt. But it reminded me of the problems many residents complain of when having to use the green bag system.
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| GREEN BAG FLYING HIGH |
Erewash adopted a system of collecting recyclables in green bags. At the time it seemed the best practicable means. However since dry recyclates can now be separated later a new approach is needed.
In response to numerous public complaints about the bags the Tories policy is to sell residents a blue bin which is effectively a tax on recyclers. Strangely the reduced cost of replacing lost or damaged green bags would have more than paid for the costs of leasing the blue bins. The Council could have leased the bins and given one to every resident free of charge. Outright purchase of the bins would have made even greater gains. With the beneficial side effect of cleaner streets and a more efficient collection operation.
In response to numerous public complaints about the bags the Tories policy is to sell residents a blue bin which is effectively a tax on recyclers. Strangely the reduced cost of replacing lost or damaged green bags would have more than paid for the costs of leasing the blue bins. The Council could have leased the bins and given one to every resident free of charge. Outright purchase of the bins would have made even greater gains. With the beneficial side effect of cleaner streets and a more efficient collection operation.
We could also have given residents the option of using the brown composting bin for dry recyclates all year round. We should also have done more to encourage home composting which would have taken tons of waste away from the waste disposal system altogether. We could have probably pushed Erewash recycling rates over the 50% level where we ought to be by now.
I think a step change is necessary in our recycling policies, following full consultation with the public and a study of other systems elsewhere. Particularly in areas that recycle more than Erewash does. Progress has been too long delayed.
I think a step change is necessary in our recycling policies, following full consultation with the public and a study of other systems elsewhere. Particularly in areas that recycle more than Erewash does. Progress has been too long delayed.
Please don't stop the council issuing the green bags …. now they don't disintegrate in the sunlight or split in the cold they are great for shopping bags :-)
ReplyDeleteJoking apart they are a right pain to put it politely.
After a collection there will be bits of paper, cardboard and plastic bottles strewn all over the road and pavement. The bags themselves are also a danger to pedestrians and road users alike.
They would not be too bad if the collection teams took a little more care and pride in their job. Only the other week we saw a young chap empty a bin and drop some on the road. He just left it but the older guy bent down, picked it up and put it into his bin.
We took part in the survey the council ran regarding the blue bins. We liked the idea of them but not 'renting' them @ £40 each as was suggested then. I do wonder what percentage of the surveyed public actually said they were prepared to pay for a bin 20%, 30%, 45%, 51% ?
Our only concern is that they will become another hazard when they are left 'abandoned' in the middle of the pavement.