Stop the rubbish and talk recycling

I highlighted the Tory Council decision to scrap weekly bin collections on this blog HERE.

The Tory Council has decided to do this without any consultation with residents. Without trying to engage the community in what they are doing or want to do. I am sure it is driven entirely by cost, but interestingly they have not (yet) said how much they are saving by doing this. They have said they are saving money on Landfill Tax, but not how much on the operation.

It must be a touchy subject because Gavin Barwell MP has leaped to defend the Tory run Council HERE. Its always nice to see Gavin Barwell defend his two faced Councillor colleagues - to explain why they are two faced, Gavin and his colleagues bought a 4 page advert in the local Croydon Guardian accusing Labour of plans to introduce fortnightly bin collections and promising this would not happen under a Conservative Council. That was in MAY 2010. Yes, just over a year ago!

Personally I think Croydon Council recycling has been a disgrace for years. Why cant you recycle a Tetra Pack in your doorstep recycling?

What we need is a proper discussion about how we up our recycling rates and more importantly bring the community with us in that discussion.

Greenpeace has been at it for years. They make it clear that Councils should achieve an 80% participation rate and an 80% recycling rate of those participating. They published an excellent document back in 2001.

I want to see very high recycling rates in Croydon. I don't think the Council is doing enough to make this happen.

Where are the re-use schemes? The last one (started by the last Labour Council) closed down this year - the Appliance Reuse Centre. I'm told by those who know that the big opportunity is to re use slightly bulky things like building materials. A site exists that would be ideal. The old Waste Transfer Station on Factory Lane. However the Council says that it is being kept for the South West London Waste Partnership as a site suitable for waste processing (anything from recycling centre through to an incinerator).

For that to happen, the Council needs to have the will. The will to bring people together. The will to ask people for ideas and look at towns that have been successful.

In the meantime we will have to put up with the Council behaving like it is a secret society. This take it or leave it approach is simply bullying arrogance. Hardly an example of the listening council.