In its Spring magazine the local Authority stated these 3 priorities:

A carbon neutral borough by 2030

Supporting nature and biodiversity

Improving recycling rates

I say, all three will be improved and it will help reduce climate change if recycling is improved!

More from the Spring Mag

Under the heading, ‘Tackling climate change and enhancing our environment’ the local Authority stated it collected 60,592 tonnes of household waste. 22,594 tonnes was recycled and composted. 

New waste, electronic and electrical equipment bins have been installed across the borough.   

(I haven’t got one yet!)

A trial to distribute free recycling bins and a total of 400 free compost bins has begun.    

(I’m waiting for mine)

Newly installed, LED, street lights have reduced electricity consumption – saved 1,300 tons of carbon.

Wind Turbines off Redcar’s coast

(Wind Turbine Generators off the coast produce sustainable electricity. LED lights use less electricity than conventional lights.)

New hydrogen and electric vehicles have been trialled by the council.

Recycling and compost equates to a 37% recycling rate. 

(That is the rate the council wants to improve.) 

THE EXPERIMENT

I am doing an experiment to show my recycling doesn’t need to be collected every two weeks. There are a lot of one and two person households in the borough and if I am right once a month or every six weeks should do. The council will save petrol if the recycling wagons do not run so often or it may decide to look for other streams of recycling.

WHAT CAN COUNCILS DO?

In Thursday’s meeting I mentioned examples of electricity being wasted. By day outdoor lights competing with the sunshine and decorative lights with many more light bulbs than are needed. By night lights, for no reason that I can see, compete with Blackpool Illuminations. It would help if those parties were more thoughtful.