michele Posted May 24, 2007 Share Posted May 24, 2007 What do people think about this extra charge on people to cut down on waste. This is good I think except that the ordinry man honest man in the street will abide by the rules. What is going to happen once people realise the amount of money that they are being charged are they then going to take it to work with them to put in the works skip /bin are they going to dump it in our streets I wonder (^) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howie Posted May 24, 2007 Share Posted May 24, 2007 First place to start cutting down on waste is with manufacturers and suppliers. The wife recently had one book delivered from Amazon that came in a large cardboard box complete with yards of bubble wrap and a dozen or so promotional leaflets. Together with the usual things you buy from supermarkets etc. or the mountain of junk mail piled behind the front door every morning, its becoming almost impossible to keep to our quota of recycling bags as stipulated by the council. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliveH Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 Agreed on the packaging - I read somewhere that there was a call for people to unpack the item in the shops - just taking he item home - and leaving the packaging with the supermarket to deal with. We bought new toothbrushes for the caravan (well not FOR the caravan but for US to use when we are in the caravan!) and not only was the packaging excessive but it was impossible to open with fingers. In the end we had to take sturdy kitchen knives to the plastic. Now someone has the problem of what to do with a useless chunk of strong clear plastic that I expect took a great deal of energy to make and as most plastic is oil based probably took a fair chunk of that resource. What are we doing accepting such wasteful practices in the first place? If we did manage to "dump" excess packaging back to the retail distribution network we in our homes would not have so much waste to deal with. If we all had our own bags/boxes whatever and gave back the plastic trays our mushrooms/tomatoes etc. at the point of sale to Tescos Sainsburys Asda Morrisons etc. I reckon I would cut my household waste volume by about a third. It would take a fair bit of effort on my part as I would have to organise myself far better - after all it is so easy to just throw away the old container and buy neatly packaged new fruit and veg that then packs neatly in the fridge. But if there was an incentive - I would make that effort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forester Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 What about blocks of flats there is no recycling at all here in Manchester that i know of, they are building them higher & higher with no thought of waste disposal. & having to pay for getting rid of rubbish, what about the poll tax dont we already pay! this goverment answer to everything is tax tax tax us all so they can pay them selfs bigger wages, look at the road tax & then the roads do you think that it will be money well spent? What part of WE ARE GOING TO RIP YOU OFF dont people understand.I.M.H.O it will only cause trouble ie putting your rubbish in other peopls bins FLY TIPPING; but then what do you expect with this sleasy goverment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliveH Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 Always has been a total lack of joined up thinking with this Government. A classic example is the HIP's (Home Information Packs) - now bear in mind that the idea was to make house selling more simple and secure! And what do we have? - a deeply flawed system that just adds another layer of cost and bureaucracy and which was so cumbersome originally that it has already been watered down so as to now be ENTIRELY USELESS! - But when you see the effort that has to go into producing one of these silly reports those of us that want to cut down on waste just despair! The printed paperwork and forms (Packaging!) within a HIP is substantial. As well as that we will now have another tier of people in cars driving about, vistiting homes that are to be put on the market and writing a report that nobody wants, is almost entirely useless, and if the house takes more than a few months to sell is as relevant as last months Newspapers. And now due to administrative inertia linked to a "How the hell did we get ourselves into this mess?" reflection by Government - Ruth Kelly was seen squirming at the despatch box whilst she announced a delay to August and that HIP's will only apply to house of 4 bedrooms and above. So does this mean that dear Ms Kelly believes that those of us buying 1, 2 or 3 bedroom homes do not require the WONDERFUL protection that her HIP's provide? What a lost opportunity when all they had to do was to alter the Law to follow the Scottish model where once a sale had been agreed it was binding. As for what to do if the council restrict how much and the type of rubbish they will take - I saw a clip on the news last night of residents going out and throwing there own rubbish on the "Dust-Cart" whilst the poor refuse collectors just stood back and let them! Now this, to me seemed a classic case of the majority letting the numptys know what they wanted. Interestingly as well - at the recent local elections there were quite a few upsets where local people had voted on their local issues rather than follow "normal" party lines. In a number of cases it seems that fortnightly collections were unpopular and the guy that said he felt weekly collections were better got the votes! When we have indistinguishable politicians and indistinguishable political parties - I see that voting for a good local independent as the way to go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michele Posted May 25, 2007 Author Share Posted May 25, 2007 Well, Have to agree chaps alittle worried about things like nappies and extra stuff that I buy for the kids . The dustbin men wont even come to the front door and collect my rubbish . I have forgotten on a few occassions usually because I,m busy doing something with one of the children . When I phoned the local council they said sorry not our fault . I said well I have disabled children in the household . She said so would you like to be put on the Disabilty list ? I said yes please . ok she said you have a partner I said yes my HUsband she said ok NO CAN DO?. sorry why's that because he should put the rubbish out for you! ....Oh I see I bought these black bins the big ones at a cost of 140 and when I tried to use them to keep the rubbish away from the foxes at night apparently we are not allowed as the dustbin men might cut themselfs?????I,m loosing the plot I bought the bins so that they could go straight on the lorry saving the dustbin men handling my rubbish So back to hubby who sometimes leaves at 4 in the morning ...So We work We are married and we dont buck the system and what do we get for it aload of Rubbish ...........Oh and once again I have forgot to put out the rubbish which I have to lift out of the £140 worth of Black bins that I bought because they dont supply.... Madness Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliveH Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 Yep! Total madness Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Chapman Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 When the Government bought in Landfill Taxation they were warned by the Waste Management Industry that there would be a substantial increase in fly tipping. This is exactly what has happened. Why? Simply because waste disposal or correct waste management is an add on business cost. Increase the cost and the less scrupulous dispose of waste by the cheapest (free?) method which is fly tipping. The largest percentage of waste comes from industry especially extraction and mining. If the government is serious about re-cycling why not encourage industry to operate more sensible waste management? The additional charges for disposal of domestic waste, which we pay for in council tax anyway, will lead to avoidance of the charge by fly tipping or simply putting waste in someone else's bin leading to arguments, more inspection and control, more cleaning up, more cost, more staff, increased Council Tax etc., etc. Simple question. How much of the recycled waste is actually used against just being landfilled anyway? Ask your local council, you may be surprised by the answer. Regards, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliveH Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 How true Mike We recently changed our garden around and had some old but perfectly sound patio slabs that we no longer needed as well as some top soil Having seen a top soil container and slabs/tiles etc neatly lined up at my local re-cycling centre (on the Ringwood Verwood Road in Dorset) I enquired about taking them their and was told that only 6 patio slabs at a time would be acceptable and the topsoil would only be accepted in a bag that would fit in a small car boot. Total numpty nonsence once again - they are just not serious about it are they! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliveH Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 Meant to add:- So rather than being able to take it all there on a trailer that we have in one go - they wanted me to make about 10 separate trips! Obviously they are not bothered about the supposed CO2 emission problem and Global Warming! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randonneur Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 Over here we seem to have got the recyling thing more undercontrol. In the Charente we are issued with yellow bags for recycling use which are picked up every two weeks and bottles/jars are taken to the bottle bank. The normal household waste is picked up every week. In nearby Dordogne their recycling is split into newspapers/paper (once a month), bottles/jars (every two weeks), household waste (every week). Whenever you want to take anything to the Tip (Dechetterie) everything is split up and the Managers of these places are very observant, making sure items go into the right containers. These Dechetteries are spotless as the Managers are very proud of how they keep their recycling places spotlessly clean. Twice a year we receive leaflets of the details of the recycling efforts in our Departement, how much has been recycled how much was waste, how much it cost etc. It seems as though anything that hasn't had food in it is ok for recycling, except unusually for the plastic wrapping around packs of water etc., You can put milk cartons in as well, and as long as the little triangular symbol is on the packing it is ok to recycle. It seems to work here. I have now noticed that if you buy any electrical item you have to pay a very small amount, less than 1 euro, for future recycling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thai Bry Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 Hi All JUNK MAIL!!!! - Here's a good idea for you all to try. On any mail that has a returns pre-paid envelope, then do the following. Take your name and address off the letters and return everything else in the envelope. We always save some pre-paid envelopes, and take turns in who should get their fair share of every other company's junk mail back! After all their paying for the postage in the fist place, seems a waste just to throw it away. Save some junk mail up and then put it into an envelope, don't worry about any extra postage cost, because the return address has to foot that bill as well. Just a small man getting back at the establishment. Thai Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michele Posted May 25, 2007 Author Share Posted May 25, 2007 Thats it I,m going to try the Junk Mail one and send it back to them! Brilliant idea. As for the extra charge re what rubbish you have got well I shall start sending rubbish to the next door neighbour whom only has one bag! Nuts they are going to get it one way or the other..This is just another way of taxing us to death.. Dad got two tickets yesterday he drove down a road that he has used for 40 odd years not knowing that it has now been turned into a one way street. I ask you how is a pensioner supposed to pay that £50 each One at 11.28 and one at 1145 He ttok took the bus to go and havea look and low and behold there is a tiny sign so he poppped into the local cafe and said how long has this been one way 2 weeks said the bloke so dad said where is the camera Oh there isnt one its a bloke who sits out there in his car ...he's gone to lunch now but he will be back soon they said. Dad waited and right enough he came back 17 cars went down it the wrong way! £50 ago not bad a he's worth his weight in gold that chap pays his own wages I wonder how many times over! Beggars belief If we could join Martin & Sylvia we would be off like a shot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forester Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 Thai Bry - 2007-05-25 9:59 AM Hi All JUNK MAIL!!!! - Here's a good idea for you all to try. On any mail that has a returns pre-paid envelope, then do the following. Take your name and address off the letters and return everything else in the envelope. We always save some pre-paid envelopes, and take turns in who should get their fair share of every other company's junk mail back! After all their paying for the postage in the fist place, seems a waste just to throw it away. Save some junk mail up and then put it into an envelope, don't worry about any extra postage cost, because the return address has to foot that bill as well. Just a small man getting back at the establishment. Thai I have been doing that for years still get it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thai Bry Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 Forester Really naughty this BUTTTTTTTTT Put someone else's name - maybe a sworn enemy's name- on the letter and send it back to the mail company!! Not got that idea from me As Sarge Shultz in Hogan's heroes used to say ! "I KNOW NUSSINK" Thai Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forester Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 Thai Bry - 2007-05-25 1:42 PM Forester Really naughty this BUTTTTTTTTT Put someone else's name - maybe a sworn enemy's name- on the letter and send it back to the mail company!! Not got that idea from me As Sarge Shultz in Hogan's heroes used to say ! "I KNOW NUSSINK" Thai any one know micheles address!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Chapman Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 Hello Clive, The previous system at Council transfer stations and waste tips was to charge Trade Vehicles such as vans and pick-ups and not charge for waste being bought in by private individuals even by trailer except where the load was excessive or specialised. The amazing thing about your paving slabs and top soil is that both of these waste types are recyclable or even saleable. Landfill sites would often purchase top soil to cap the site and hoggin is used to prepare/maintain the access roads. It seems that joined up thinking is far from the thoughts of Local Councils and Government. Regards, Mike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliveH Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 Yes I knew that Mike! Even the council chap I phoned said that it should be OK but when I spoke to the "jobsworth" at the site - he said the above! So the slabs are stored at the farm where I store the caravan and will probably be broken up and used as hardcore and the topsoil went on the muck heap! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vic Posted May 29, 2007 Share Posted May 29, 2007 Such a difficult topic. Most of us like to think that we are careful about our waste, but are we? If the DVD or TV or Video machine breaks down, do we get it repaired? I doubt it. These items are so cheap that we simply replace them and dump the old ones. There is an outcry now about councils who only collect rubbish on a fortnightly basis. I have no problem with this. My local council has been doing this for around ten years or more. Dead easy, one week normal household rubbish, the next week, recycelable stuff. As for charging those who produce more rubbish, I think that this may be quite fair. OK, this may hit the larger families, but why not? I may get slated here, but one of the largest problems we have is disposable nappies. I've dragged up four kids, all using the ancient terry nappies. Use a liner which is disposed of, then wash the nappy, easy peasy. Or, is the parent of today too busy to do this? I doubt it. Another area of waste is the plastic bag given away free in the supermarket. You can buy a strong shopping bag in most shopping outlets so why not charge say, 50p for every plastic bag? That may just encourage shoppers to take their own bags. So, where do we go from here? The producers have to do their bit by cutting down on packageing, the consumer can quite rightly unpack their purchases in the store, leaving the problem there, but at the end of the day, we all have to accept some resonsibilty. We are all guilty of producing the mass of rubbish. Now let's take the problem on our own shoulders and not rely on others to sort it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzy Posted May 30, 2007 Share Posted May 30, 2007 If I were certain that the LAs were doing their part, i.e. not sending my carefully sorted trash to the landfill tip rather than recycling plant, I would not worry so much about being charged. If people get charged but see that the LA isn't pulling their weight then fly-tipping will become worse! I sort as much as possible, even to the point of tearing plastic windows from envelopes and recycling the paper bit. All kitchen roll/tissues that are used around the house go into our compost, with vegie peelings etc. that the chooks can't eat. We have a half-flush loo, don't run our water when teeth cleaning and have noticed that we have saved water compsumption since March. I do bath every evening and we run a dishwasher and clothes washer: I hung onto my twin-tub so that I could use the spin water on our garden until the machine broke down :-(. Having suffered repeated rain storms this weekend I don't think we need wash fruit/veg into a bucket this week ;-) but it surprises me how much water we do use, probably around a gallon! As much cardboard is used under the chooks perch or put into the recycling bin. Our LA is quite good as the greenbin waste gets pulped into compost which is sold on at the 'tip' for gardening. Don't forget to FREECYCLE! before putting things into the bin, it's surprising what folks will take off your hands for free! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjphillips Posted June 4, 2007 Share Posted June 4, 2007 I made an observation about recycling last week but posted to the wrong place so I'll briefly repeat it because I expect it was missed by most.I always wash tins ,ali cans & plactics which are separate from bottles & glass.Paper & light cardboard is neatly bundled as requested by the local council here in S lincs.When the dustcart called every thing was chucked in the same wagon & crushed down.When I phoned on an earlier occassion to query how on earth it was possible to separate it after being crushed up together I was told that it was sorted at the depot.I think it's just one big con,we're being taken for a ride!!!!!!!!!! >:-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliveH Posted June 5, 2007 Share Posted June 5, 2007 I am not sure if that is any better than what happens here tho' (lol) We have to put paper tins etc in a clear bag and the rest in a pink bag. Garden waste in a green bag. Then three different trucks come and collect it whereas we had just one before. So the cost of recycling for us is three times what it was! Don't get me wrong - I want to do it - but the economics af what happens now is stupid :-( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzy Posted June 5, 2007 Share Posted June 5, 2007 ANYTHING can be offered on FREECYCLE! and it's surprising what people will take off your hands for nought! So try those slabs 'new owner collects' .... ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliveH Posted June 5, 2007 Share Posted June 5, 2007 Thanks Lizzy I will have a look. Thankfully - I was able to give them all to a firm of builders who were working near where I live. They were well pleased to have them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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