People think recycling is good for the environment but the sad truth is that it hasn’t been because the government has always required local authorities to collect as much recycling as possible with absolutely no reference to environmental impact. Maximum tonnage at minimum cost – it’s not a recipe for saving the planet. That’s why I pushed for an energy audit of the commingled recycling system when I was elected in 2006.
The audit proved that commingling is bad for the environment. To cite just one example – when paper and glass are crushed up together in the back of a ‘recycling truck’ they are impossible to separate. The paper becomes so contaminated with glass fragments that no British papermaker can use it.
The consultants who did the audit suggested some sensible solutions for improving the system which we’re now taking forward. More than two-thirds of our recycling is paper and cardboard. If we separate this from the other recyclables (plastic, metal, glass), then it can go direct to a paper reprocessor. They’ll even pay us for it which has got to be better than paying someone to take it away which is what we’re doing at the moment!
We’ll also be asking residents to put their glass in the on-street bottle banks wherever possible as this is by far the most environmentally friendly thing you can do with it. Add in a general food waste collection across the borough following on from the successful trial in Hampstead and north Belsize, and a collection of all kinds of plastic as soon as we can find a recycling facility that can cope with more than just plastic bottles, and I think you have a recipe for a good recycling system comprising the following four elements: 1) paper & card; 2) plastic, metals and glass (but only if you really can’t take your glass to the on-street bottle banks); 3) food waste; 4) general waste.
When the new system comes in next year I think most residents should be able to recycle about 60-70% of their waste. In our household we recycle about 95% of our waste, but that’s because we actively try not to buy anything that comes in packaging that can’t be recycled. That’s what I call stage three. Stage one was about getting people to recycle. Stage two is about making our recycling systems environmentally friendly. That’s where we are now.
Stage three is about changing mindsets so that people think about minimising waste at the point of purchase and complain vigorously to retailers when there’s too much packaging or packing that can’t be recycled. I’m delighted that the Budgens in Belsize Park has installed recycling bins next to the tills and is promising to get heavy with suppliers if customers feel they’re getting too much packaging. I tried to get Tesco to do this but they refused. In Germany customers have a legal right to leave excess packaging at the till and the retailer has a legal duty to recycle it.
It’s taken a long time but I’m delighted we are now going to change Camden’s recycling system for the better. Even if the government gives us no incentives to do the right thing I think we owe it to residents and to the planet to make our recycling as environmentally friendly as possible and that’s what we’re doing.
Never thought so deeply, will try to follow up in some aspects you discussed here.
ReplyDeleteThanks.