Green Slough residents say recycling is important to them
Slough’s residents have had their say on the future of recycling in the borough, and the good news is that 97 per cent say that recycling is important to them.
In a recent consultation conducted by Slough Borough Council, 750 residents responded to a range of new options for recycling and waste collection in the town.
In May 2007, the government announced that all local authorities must recycle 40 per cent of their waste by 2010. The current black box scheme has helped to increase Slough’s household recycling to 22 per cent, but staying with this existing system will not improve recycling rates any further. It also doesn’t allow for the recycling of plastic bottles.
The Slough council’s cabinet have made a commitment to residents that they will not look at options which include alternative weekly collections of residual waste (i.e waste that needs to go to landfill), and that this will continue to be collected weekly.
What our residents said:
* 76 per cent would prefer a wheeled bin for recycling plastic bottles, to be collected fortnightly
* 91 per cent said the collection of plastic bottles at the kerbside was important to them. A similar number felt they could accommodate an additional wheeled bin for recycling, providing a range of sizes were offered
* 82 per cent would be prepared to separate more material for recycling in the future
* 53 per cent said they would separate food waste for recycling if the service was provided and 81 per cent said that food waste collections should take place weekly
As well as asking about domestic waste and recycling collections, the consultation also asked residents for their views on whether the council should introduce penalty charges for people who don’t recycle. 42 per cent said the council should introduce penalties such as fines for residents who persistently refuse to recycle, however 30 per cent disagreed with this.
Opinions were also mixed about introducing a policy to reduce the size of refuse bins to encourage people to recycle more, with 49 per cent disagreeing and 42 per cent agreeing.
The majority of respondents (64 per cent) said the council should consider introducing a permit scheme for Slough residents at Chalvey Waste and Recycling Centre to monitor and control excessive tipping, illegal tipping of trade waste and tipping by people from outside the local area.
Denise Alder, director of the Slough green and built environment, said: “This consultation has been really useful in finding out what residents’ priorities are for recycling in the borough. I would like to thank all those who took the time to send in their views.
“It is obvious that residents are keen to recycle and want to do more to improve our recycling levels in the future.”
Cllr John Edwards, commissioner for public protection, said: “We are committed to making Slough cleaner, safer and greener, and improving recycling is a top priority for the council.
“We will be now looking at the options in line with what residents have said they want and will come up with a scheme that will maximise recycling across the borough.
“In the meantime, I would like to say to the residents who continue to recycle through the black box and green waste schemes, keep up the good work.”
The response to the consultation will be considered as part of the budget setting process for 2008.
Slough Borough Council