COMPULSORY RECYCLING is set to start throughout the borough of Croydon, saving the council approximately £200,000 a year.
Croydon say sending waste to landfill costs the council around £106 per tonne, compared to just £30 per tonne for processing recyclable materials.
Cabinet member for highways and environmental services, Cllr Phil Thomas, said: “Recycling makes huge savings for the council, and that’s money we can spend on improving services or keeping the council tax rate down. “So we’re asking all residents to co-operate by saving the council money while also helping the environment. “It’s a no brainer.
“The vast majority of households recycle, and they won’t need to change anything they do. “We want to find out if people who aren’t recycling don’t have the required box or don’t understand what they should be doing, and we want to work with them.
“If they then don’t want to cooperate we will fine them and, where necessary, take legal action as a last resort” he added.
Announcing the moves, a Croydon press statement said a dedicated council team is scheduled to kick start the first six months of the scheme by giving advice to residents living in roads that have been identified as priorities.
“The majority of households are already recycling, so the focus will be on the minority who persistently refuse to put their recyclable waste out for collection, even after a 12-week process of personal advice and reminder letters. “An £80 fine would then be considered, with a reduction for early payment. “Court proceedings would be a last resort.
“Initially, blocks of flats and flats above shops will be excluded. “Assisted collections services will continue for residents who have difficulty getting recycling boxes and landfill bins to the kerbside.
“The majority of those who took part in a borough-wide consultation agreed that the council should take necessary action, including potential fines, for those who persistently fail to recycle. ”90 per cent of participants agreed that: ‘We should all recycle to reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill to help reduce costs, freeing up money for other services’.
“Anyone requiring a blue box (for paper and card), a green box (for glass, cans and plastic) or a food waste container, can find online forms and contact email addresses on the environment section of www.croydon.gov.uk or can call the council on 020 8726 6200 and ask to speak to someone about household collections.
(Source: Croydon council press release)
Announcing the moves, a Croydon press statement said a dedicated council team is scheduled to kick start the first six months of the scheme by giving advice to residents living in roads that have been identified as priorities.
“The majority of households are already recycling, so the focus will be on the minority who persistently refuse to put their recyclable waste out for collection, even after a 12-week process of personal advice and reminder letters. “An £80 fine would then be considered, with a reduction for early payment. “Court proceedings would be a last resort.
“Initially, blocks of flats and flats above shops will be excluded. “Assisted collections services will continue for residents who have difficulty getting recycling boxes and landfill bins to the kerbside.
“The majority of those who took part in a borough-wide consultation agreed that the council should take necessary action, including potential fines, for those who persistently fail to recycle. ”90 per cent of participants agreed that: ‘We should all recycle to reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill to help reduce costs, freeing up money for other services’.
“Anyone requiring a blue box (for paper and card), a green box (for glass, cans and plastic) or a food waste container, can find online forms and contact email addresses on the environment section of www.croydon.gov.uk or can call the council on 020 8726 6200 and ask to speak to someone about household collections.
(Source: Croydon council press release)
Further reading: ‘Council caught sending recycling to landfill’ – Croydon Guardian website 17th October 2012.
Tags: Croydon council, Recycling
