I have sent requests to various organisations, including local authorities to support this petition. The Councils chosen so far have climate change emergencies in place so it seemed appropriate to ask them. I have had no responses yet but it is early days.
My request is based on information contained in the 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.
I explained: By collecting recycling less often local authorities would use less diesel and save money. They would also reduce carbon emissions and help reduce climate change. Changing collections, for example, from fortnightly to once every four weeks will potentially halve associated costs and carbon emissions. Increasing the time to six weeks would make an even bigger saving. The value will be measurable.
To support my petition I have consulted friends and acquaintances, asked how long it takes them to fill their recycling bin? A number of them do not fill them in two weeks so 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.
I discovered that many people have a paper caddy that I estimate takes up almost a third of the bin space. The local Operations Manager for waste and recycling… and the 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 all recyclables, it can take up to six weeks to fill my bin. Mine does not have to be emptied every two weeks! I suggest all customers should be told they do not need a paper caddy and this subject should be researched further. Based on my findings I say Councils should be able to arrange collections in streets, areas and towns less often, use less diesel, emit less carbon and help reduce climate change.
Recycling is a very important issue so I hope that among other things time will be dedicated to educating customers about what is recyclable and giving them confidence in the process.
I would like everyone to sign a petition asking for legislation to allow local authorities to increase the time between recycling collections from two weeks to six.
Together we can transform the future.
PETITION
TO HELP LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO CUT SPENDING ON DIESEL AND REDUCE CARBON EMISSIONS I/WE SUPPORT THE PETITION TO CREATE LEGISLATION TO INCREASE THE TIME ALLOWED BETWEEN COLLECTIONS OF HOUSEHOLD RECYCLING FROM TWO WEEKS TO SIX.
NAME and DATE
Oil fuels war. We’re taking action.
Greenpeace activists have stopped a tanker carrying £30m of Russian diesel from docking in the UK.
Activists stop Russian tanker carrying an estimated £30million of fossil fuels
Oil and gas fuels war. And the war in Ukraine is no exception. The government promised to block Russian-owned ships coming into the UK, but Putin’s oil and gas is still getting through. So we showed them how it’s done.
Greenpeace aim to show the government it’s time to commit: reduce single plastic use by 50% by 2025. Everyone, including schools, can join in so if you don’t mind counting your plastic waste for a week and want to be part of it check out the website. I have signed up at thebigplasticcount.com
BBC Newsround explains simply that petrol and diesel are fossil fuels. When used they give off carbon dioxide (CO2). It is a greenhouse gas which is harmful to the environment. It causes global warming. In the government’s 10-point plan to tackle climate change the sale of new petrol and diesel cars will be banned after 2030.
When you’re heading for a crash you instinctively put your foot on the brake. You don’t expect to have to wait 10 years to stop!
Local authorities vehicles, which do not appear to be included in the 10-year plan, use fossil fuels. Authorities can prioritise the waste collection services if there is unexpected pressure on resources.
I don’t know if they consider fuel one of those resources. If they do I hope they will look at ways to reduce usage because it has an adverse effect on the environment, climate change and authority spending.
In the publication, ‘Waste collection services: guidance for local authorities’, recycling is considered low health risk and collections may be weekly or fortnightly.
To reduce fuel consumption I suggest ALL local authorities should commence fortnightly collections as soon as possible and the government should begin research immediately to establish the interval between collections can be extended. Researchers may discover it is possible to extend the period to 3 weeks or more.
The publication states that if local authorities consider changing to fortnightly collections they must consider collecting recycling materials waste paper, metal, plastic and glass by separate collection.
A change like that might have a significant, favourable effect on recycling. Customers find it easier, the reprocessor may find quality improves and over-all the results could be positive. I have seen the 2018/2019 record of recycling rates of 345 local authorities. They range from 14.1% to 64.8%. I would hope that rates could be improved, more material baled and fit for recycling.
The publication states that if local authorities consider changing to fortnightly collections they must consider collecting recycling materials waste paper, metal, plastic and glass by separate collection.
Careful collection of those materials could ensure more recycling presented to reprocessors will be of better quality. A higher percentage of material will be fit for baling and reuse.
The publication shows that if changes are to be made contracts between authorities and reprocessors will need to be reviewed.
Conclusion
Those who are concerned for the environment, climate change and authority spending should find the suggestions in this document interesting. If these suggestions become recommendations and are acted on by government and local authorities the impact on the environment, climate change and spending will be significant.
Although the three objectives set out do not directly affect Ukraine, reductions in fuel consumption may help. Also, more thought could be given to green projects and training.
References 16.05.2022
Reference: https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/54985070
Reference: https://www.letsrecycle.com
Reference: https://thebigplasticcount.com
Reference: https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/russian-diesel-tanker-action/
When quoting this please refer to: https://www.recycleangel.co.uk THANK YOU.
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