Writing the book, Recycle Angel, I taught myself about recycling and know it helps to save resources. In the story Freddy runs the recycling business that his granddad set up. Driving an environmentally friendly E-van, with zero emissions, he makes a living collecting recycling and selling it.
Researching recycling I learned about climate change and when the book was published I decided to collect information and write about it in my blog. To read what I found about local training, wind turbines, solar farms, hydrogen driven vehicles, hydrogen production as well as anything else you can look back in my blog. Keeping an eye on local activity I was disappointed to find a few local authorities propose to build a new Waste to Energy (WtE) plant. I describe a WtE plant in the book. It is an incinerator that creates carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming and climate change. I wrote to UK Without Incineration Network (UKWIN)** and received this reply: ‘The good news is that it is not too late for the Councils to call a halt to their procurement of an incinerator!’
I did the boring research and discovered why the councils provide a fortnightly service. Of course they want to give the best service and get the best ‘recycling rate,’ which is the percentage of household waste sent for reuse, recycling or composting. But the service is fortnightly because councils are constrained by a guidance document ‘Waste collection services: guidance for local authorities’, published 23, July, 2021*. It states that dry recyclables are low health risk yet it specifies waste, including recyclables, should be collected at least fortnightly.
While Freddy drives an E-van the Council uses diesel lorries that run on diesel, emit nitrogen oxides (NOx), non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC), carbon dioxide (CO2) and put Particulate Matter (PM) in the air. They contribute to climate change and harm the environment. I looked for a solution, something that will stop the emissions or at best reduce them.
Electric or hydrogen powered bin lorries did not present themselves, nor did a tram-like service with overhead power lines. The best alternative appeared to be reduce collection frequency.
Current legislation requires councils to collect recycling at least fortnightly. Changing the legislation so that collections can be made every four weeks would halve the problem.
Customers pay handsomely through council tax to have their recycling collected. Councils are required do collections at least every two weeks, to save resources. If customers knew how damaging those collections are would they choose to save resources or the Planet? I say tell them that reducing collections will benefit everyone. Councils will use less diesel. It will cost less, reduce effects on solar warming and climate change, be better for the environment and good for everyone.
Changing recycling collections to up to six weeks would look like this!
It can take six weeks to fill my recycling bin! Mine and many other people’s does not need to be emptied every two weeks. I would like to see the legislation changed!
FROM EMPTY TO FULL IN 6 WEEKS
A small non-scientific survey among friends and acquaintances showed different attitudes to recycling. Some are committed to putting out their almost empty bin every two weeks, on the day set by the council, and others wait until the bin is nearly full before putting it out. Most people have a paper caddy in their bin. Paper is recycling and does not have to be separated from the other recycling! The Redcar and Cleveland Operations Manager for waste and recycling… and Guisborough Town Mayor both assured me I don’t need one so I don’t have one. Without it there is 240 litres of empty space and as you can see I filled my bin to the top. It took six weeks!
I have petitioned a few local authorities and others to ask their views about changing the guidance from two weeks to six and waiting for a response. Below is a redacted email I sent to one. I have asked them to write to the local MP to get new legislation.
I would be pleased if all readers contacted their MP to support the request for new legislation to make the change. Ask government to change the requirement in ‘Waste collection services: guidance for local authorities’ from fortnightly to up to six weeks so that councils can do the logistics, change collection periods to get the best improvement they can.
Dear …
I understand you will attend the … to speak about your work and the Council’s climate action plans. Would you please comment on a suggestion I have for (your) County Council and other local authorities to cut spending on diesel and reduce carbon emissions.
I am aware that recycling saves resources and it is very important to dedicate time to educate customers to give them confidence in the process.
In accordance with the document, Waste collection services: guidance for local authorities* published 23, July, 2021, which states that dry recyclables are low health risk yet it specifies waste, including recyclables, should be collected at least fortnightly councils collect household recycling at least every two weeks. Changing collections from fortnightly to every four weeks, for example, would potentially halve diesel usage, costs and related carbon dioxide emissions. Greater savings would be possible if the period between collections is increased further. The savings would be measurable.
I know … County Council has identified that transport accounts for 34% of UK emissions and have plans to reduce car travel and thinking about electric bin lorries when the current fleet needs replacing. You have the ambition to do everything you can to reduce the council’s carbon footprint. In your vision and ambitions you recognise that to achieve your aims you will need government support and legislation. Legislation to change household collections from fortnightly to up to six weeks will need government support!
I realise new legislation is needed quickly and a request to create it needs support so I have done a small non-scientific survey. I asked friends and acquaintances how long it takes them to fill their recycling bin? A number of them do not fill theirs in two weeks so only put them out for collection when it is necessary. A number are committed to putting out their almost empty bin every two weeks on the day set by the council. The answers to my question depended on various factors and ranged from two weeks to five. However, it is significant that many of those I consulted have a paper caddy. I estimate a caddy takes up almost a third of the space in the bin. The Redcar and Cleveland Operations Manager for waste and recycling… and Guisborough Town Mayor assured me I don’t need one so I don’t have one. Without it there is 240 litres of empty space and with good management, compacting recyclables, it can take up to six weeks to fill my bin. Mine does not have to be emptied every two weeks!
I believe that with all paper caddies removed from recycling bins and legislation in place to change collections from fortnightly to six weeks authorities will be best placed to reduce diesel usage, lower spending and reduce CO2 emissions.
If you choose the Planet please support the request for new legislation to change household recycling collections from fortnightly to six weeks please will you write to your MP. The sooner the legislation is in place the sooner savings can be made. THANK YOU.
**Ref: https://ukwin.org.uk 08.06.2022
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