Press Releases for 2004

Rubbish collection every two weeks can work

18th March 2004

Canterbury District Greens support the Council's suggestion of bi-weekly rubbish collection. As part of a strategy to reduce waste and encourage re-use and recycling, it is the next logical step from current levels of household waste recycling (1). However, some households are going to need flexibility on the part of the Council and a very wide variety of doorstep recycling options will be needed. Geoff Meaden comments:

"Councils in southern England are strapped for cash as a result of Government transfers to poorer northern regions. For economic reasons, councils are bound to consider rubbish collection every two weeks. This can be good in employment and environmental terms if more items are re-used and recycled. However, some households, such as flats and homes with no back access or space for bins, may find dealing with waste storage difficult. The needs of the very elderly must be considered. Our council must show flexibility with some households in order to make sure everyone is able to deal with their rubbish effectively.

"Doorstep recycling will have to include material suitable for compost, which can be sold as fertiliser to the public when it is rotted down. Bones from meat will need to be collected as storage over two weeks in the summer is a potential health hazard. Used cooking oil should be collected and used to manufacture bio-diesel, which reduces air pollution from vehicles by up to 80%. This is not a 'mission impossible.' We have the nearby example of Wye in Kent where such collections do take place. The Wye area in consequence has a recycling rate of about 72%, the highest in the country, and several local jobs are sustained by recycling and re-use. Green Party research suggests over 50,000 jobs could be created by improving recycling and re-use policies nationwide." ENDS c299 words

FURTHER INFORMATION: Dr Geoff Meaden, 01227 456806 or 01227 767700. Contact address 33 St Stephens Road, Canterbury. Dr Meaden is a Senior Lecturer in Geography at Canterbury Christchurch College.

Notes: 1. Canterbury City Council has reached a figure of 30% recycling of household waste, which is the best level in Kent.

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