Topic: Recycling - Council Meeting

[Mart]

Handy for me, chuck it there.

Could we not operate a swapshop to reunite lids and boxes.

I have 2 boxes and three lids, I'll swap my lid for a box.

Oh dear, that's not going to work is it?

None of this is really radical though is it, we are still footling about, in the words of General Marshall we are fighting the problem.

Householders do more and more recycling, though to what extent seems somewhat elastic, more and more containers are produced to recycle into, more and more wagons are despatched to collect said containers (and hurl them gaily into the air by way of celebration) more and more tips are required to process all this recycled gubbins.

Why isn't the same energy and arseache being inflicted on the source of the waste?

Mmmm?

[kohima]

If you go up edison road in Dorcan est, ther is a large area, whee a unit used to be, it is up for let at the moment, but if the council bought this, it could be turned into a waste depot like the one at Newbury, which is drive in and out, ..

[Alex]

Why isn't the same energy and arseache being inflicted on the source of the waste?

Yes- why isn't it? Think we all know the answer but it is the obvious solution and always has been.

As for Dorcan as a possible other site- not unless the flooding problem which has always been there  is resolved. ( The original Roman site of Swindon was in Dorcan and according to records flooding was an issue then too).

[Justin Tomlinson]

Why does Waterside only achieve 61% when Hills at Purton achieve 79%?  Quite a difference considering the cost in terms of landfill etc.

Is this a case to employ Hills to manage our Waste Management?

Have you noted these questions for your Committee Justin?

Yes - before the meeting, I will re-read all the postings to gather a summary of all the questions.

I will also arrange for answers for all. 

[kecl]

Here are a few questions for you Justin -

What is the life expectancy of wheelie bins?

How many have been replaced since they were brought in?

What happens to the old one, how are they recycled? 

I ask because ours lasted for just over 2 years and was taken away yesterday to be replaced because it was damaged – presumably during emptying.
 They had a problem with it before Xmas as well, when the lifting gear threw the whole bin into the back of the lorry  It took ‘em a good 10 minutes to retrieve it.

[Richard Shaw]

Justin,

Thank you, I look forward to your replies, but meanwhile here are two more questions.

1.   Why does the Council provide just one recycling bin to each address?

2.   Why do the recycling men leave anything not fitting into the recycling bin?

[AndyH]

Justin, an area I think the borough council also needs to encourage more within the community is “Junk Swap” days.

Easy to organise, one person’s junk is another’s treasure. At the end of the day, anything left over is JUNK and carted off to the tip. (I’m sure the tip transport costs could be recovered by a small one off entrance charge)

Whenever I’ve been down the recycling centre I am amazed at the amount of things people throw into the skips that are perfectly usable but are being thrown out just because the item is being upgraded or people fancy something new.  To be honest the waste makes me quite angry…..

If there was a regular “Junk Swap” day it may help to reduce the unnecessary throughput at the recycling centre and many items would really become “RECYCLED”

[Muggins]

Andy, some of the things left over at the end of Junk days , is not junk, just that no one wanted it that particular day, so it needs something else afterwards.

I could never understand why the borough does not have it's own reclaimation yard.

[Richard Shaw]

Andy, some of the things left over at the end of Junk days , is not junk, just that no one wanted it that particular day, so it needs something else afterwards.

I could never understand why the borough does not have it's own reclaimation yard.

Muggins,

I am sorry but that is too obvious for the genii that populate our Council!!

[Muggins]

And it's not like I haven't mentioned it at appropriate meetings over the years!   i.e. they didn't have to come up with the idea themselves.

[kecl]

1.   Why does the Council provide just one recycling bin to each address?

Everyone has at least two don't they (unless you live in flats)?

One was given out when fortnightly recycling was started and another one was delivered along with the wheelie bins when recycling went weekly and wheelies fortnightly

[Tobes]

The answer is for the amount of waste to be cut at the source (packaging, re-using etc) - this is where the Government (of whatever colour) has to take a lead and force the producers / retailers to do it.  This has to go beyond more than just the plastic bags from supermarkets.

This is a real hobby horse of mine!

Well said that man!!! 

(...And please note - TS can be something of a crucible: Whilst ideas get melted, fingers and egos can also be singed. I'd just like to congratulate Justin for putting his head in the lion's mouth - to mix my metaphors! Because we're essentially self-regulating here, too many local politicians are literally too afraid to indulge in honest, open and passionate debate. It doesn't matter whether we neccessarily agree with everything Justin says - I'd like to acknowledge his engagement and input - exactly what I'd hope for from a local politician)

[AndyH]

And it's not like I haven't mentioned it at appropriate meetings over the years!   i.e. they didn't have to come up with the idea themselves.

We both have, but deaf ears are all that has met this solution.

Its not a new idea by any means but it is something that will work, give people, particularly those on limited incomes, a chance to get something they may need for free, reduces the throughput at the recycling centre (and ease’s the queues) and creates a more community responsible attitude. 

Andy, some of the things left over at the end of Junk days , is not junk, just that no one wanted it that particular day, so it needs something else afterwards.

I could never understand why the borough does not have it's own reclaimation yard.

Totally agree with you on this Muggins, and some more REAL jobs created into the bargain and maybe even some youth training on how to refurbish things that do need a little bit of TLC 

100% agree, I queued for 50 minutes the other week on a Sunday.

Justin I’m surprised you didn’t look at the waterside recycling centre web cam before you left home… 

http://www.swindon.gov.uk/environment/streetsmart-wasteandrecycling/streetsmart-householdwasterecyclingcentre/hwrcwebcam.htm

[Richard Shaw]

1.   Why does the Council provide just one recycling bin to each address?

Everyone has at least two don't they (unless you live in flats)?

One was given out when fortnightly recycling was started and another one was delivered along with the wheelie bins when recycling went weekly and wheelies fortnightly

Well kecl I have only ever had one and as I sort everything as I go and into black bags I have yet use the existing one.  Probably the only one in the road that is undamaged!!

[Alex]

Justin, an area I think the borough council also needs to encourage more within the community is “Junk Swap” days.

Easy to organise, one person’s junk is another’s treasure. At the end of the day, anything left over is JUNK and carted off to the tip. (I’m sure the tip transport costs could be recovered by a small one off entrance charge)

Whenever I’ve been down the recycling centre I am amazed at the amount of things people throw into the skips that are perfectly usable but are being thrown out just because the item is being upgraded or people fancy something new.  To be honest the waste makes me quite angry…..

If there was a regular “Junk Swap” day it may help to reduce the unnecessary throughput at the recycling centre and many items would really become “RECYCLED”

For those not aware of it there is a local Swindon Freecycle group on Yahoo- where whatever you don't want you simply list and it is published and emailed to members. (Easy to join)

From those who apply to have it ( for free) you decide on the one you wish to receive it- and they come and get it.  You can also advertise for things you want- again for free.

I use it frequently and its really good- even though nothing to do with SBC and obviously takes a little more effort but you'd be surprised what is on there- house clearance items, new as well as old items. Being on-line it takes less room and resource to manage.

[Alligator]

I've used freecycle on a number of occasions and would certainly recommend it.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/swindon_freecycle/

[AndyH]

Yes free cycle is a great way to get free stuff and get rid of stuff you don’t want but as you said Alex takes a bit more effort.

Of course I support anything that helps people recycle and get free stuff they need at minimum or zero cost.

But there’s nothing like viewing an item up close to decide if its really the item you want though.

Also with freecycle applying for the item doesn’t always mean you get it. With “Junk Swap” it’s first come first served.

Both have a proper place in a modern recycling society

[Simon]

For those not aware of it there is a local Swindon Freecycle group on Yahoo- where whatever you don't want you simply list and it is published and emailed to members. (Easy to join)

From those who apply to have it ( for free) you decide on the one you wish to receive it- and they come and get it.  You can also advertise for things you want- again for free.

I use it frequently and its really good- even though nothing to do with SBC and obviously takes a little more effort but you'd be surprised what is on there- house clearance items, new as well as old items. Being on-line it takes less room and resource to manage.

I've used freecycle too. Amongst other things I've had people come round to take off my hands a rather rubbish wardrobe and a washing machine which had stopped working in a rather final way. The latter by a man who turned up in a van full of washing machines, I guess he had a plan to fix them and sell them on, and good luck to him 

[DaveWood]

As many different things as possible is always good.

I do like FC though for it's sheer strength of numbers, meaning most things will find a home.

I had some chap come round and pick up a broken lamp from me.  He had the same lamp, broken in a different way and managed to salvage a working lamp out of it.

[Simon]

The answer is for the amount of waste to be cut at the source (packaging, re-using etc) - this is where the Government (of whatever colour) has to take a lead and force the producers / retailers to do it.  This has to go beyond more than just the plastic bags from supermarkets.

This is a real hobby horse of mine!

Well said that man!!! 

(...And please note - TS can be something of a crucible: Whilst ideas get melted, fingers and egos can also be singed. I'd just like to congratulate Justin for putting his head in the lion's mouth - to mix my metaphors! Because we're essentially self-regulating here, too many local politicians are literally too afraid to indulge in honest, open and passionate debate. It doesn't matter whether we neccessarily agree with everything Justin says - I'd like to acknowledge his engagement and input - exactly what I'd hope for from a local politician)