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RUBBISH POLL SAYS KEEP STATUS QUO!

Keep the existing waste collection arrangements, that's the majority view in the latest on-line poll run by the Havering Residents' Association (haveringra.org.uk).

Residents were asked if households should be charged on a ‘pay-as –you-throw' basis or retain the existing arrangements. Of the 215 responses 55% wanted to keep the existing arrangements.

Website editor and author of the poll, Cllr Clarence Barrett (Cranham, RA) said: “There has been much national debate recently over the best and most efficient way of charging for waste collection. Whilst the majority in our poll favoured retaining the existing arrangement, I believe we need to look at the creation of waste in a far broader context.

“For example, whilst Christmas is a truly magical time of the year, the waste that is created does not disappear by magic.

“Over the coming festive period we will get through an estimated 1 billion cards, 8 million Christmas trees, 500 million aluminium drinks cans and 125,000 tonnes of plastic packaging. Much of which will end up in landfill.

“We can all consider ways of reducing waste, such as using e.mail, buying recycled cards and turning real trees into compost.

“However, the waste that is produced by excessive packaging is something that really needs to be tackled. Quite often the cost of producing fancy packaging exceeds the cost of the contents. This is an issue that the government, consumers, retailers and manufacturers need to broach jointly in order to cut down on the mountains of waste produced.”

8.12.07