Dear Shepway DC,
While I am generally in favour of initiatives to improve recycling provided they have a sound economics basis, there are some observations I’d like to make on the new recycling scheme:
The new purple lidded bins are not very practical for glass, because – unless you have incredibly long arms – you cannot place glass gently in them, with a high risk that the glass will break, especially once several jars or bottles are already in there.
Second, buying compostable bags is quite expensive. These are about 12p each, which if you use 2-3 a week means a spend of maybe £15-£18 over a year, simply thrown away. Your alternative suggestion of using newspaper results in a need for more washing.
Thirdly, we are required to wash containers. I agree washing is necessary to prevent smell, flies/maggots and mould/bacteria forming. The new food waste bins also need thorough washing every 2 weeks or so if they are not to become smelly. Individual washing using hot water, detergent and perhaps other cleaning chemicals is not especially “green” or economic. Bulk washing – if there were a way of doing it – would be far more economically and environmentally sound.
None of this of course takes into account the increased time spent by householders in going about their recycling duties, and the resultant “opportunity cost” loss. On the other side of the equation, one needs of course to look at the increasing cost of landfill – something which up to recently has been regarded almost as a non-cost.
I note in France that recycling is done via locally placed bulk bins, most usually arranged so there is a bank of all 4 types of recycling bin together – sometimes with additional bins for shoes and clothing. Households place their plastic, metal and cartons in a bin liner for recycling, which they then place in a bulk bin ready to be collected by the refuse / recycling contractor. Glass and paper/cardboard are placed in a different bulk bins. Finally, refuse for landfill goes in a fourth type of bulk bin. The bins for container recycling and landfill refuse are all large wheeled bins that can be picked up and emptied by a cart with a power lift.
I would be interested to know if you have any guidelines on the economics of recycling from end to end and if there are any particular models that you follow?
Regards,
MG  
Folkestone
17 Jul 11

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