Letter to the Editor - Recycling (Reigate Liberal Democrats)

Reigate Liberal Democrats <info@reigatelibdems.org.uk>

Letter to the Editor - Recycling

October 30, 2003 12:00 AM
By Jane Kulka in Surrey Mirror

I read with interest and a certain amount of dismay, last weeks letter from Cllr. Kay, the Executive Member for Rubbish on the Council.

Interest, because he read the informative Liberal Democrat FOCUS leaflet, which we make available to as many residents in the Borough as possible.

Dismay, because he didn't bother to research the facts before committing himself to print.

In the mid nineties, when the Conservatives lost control of the Council, the level of recycling was about 7%. The subsequent Liberal Democrat - Labour Administration introduced doorstep recycling in October of 1997, amid some ridiculous Conservative Councillor objections. The local Conservative Manifesto for the May 1998 elections promised to 'restore back door refuse collections'. They actually promised to do away with the recycling from home scheme.

In the intervening six months we more than doubled the recycling rate to almost 15%. Within a year, it was up to over 19%. The Conservatives then took over control of the Council and despite having had over 4 years in which to improve on this rate, they have only managed a paltry 2% extra.

Contrary to Cllr. Kays comments, the Liberal Democrats are very positive about recycling. Last year the Liberal Democrats organised a petition to establish the level of public demand for the recycling of plastic waste. It received enormous support. The Council tried a short pilot in the north of the Borough and asked those taking part if they would like it to continue. Over 90% said they would. Earlier this year, we suggested a co-operative strategy with other Councils to enable the effective recycling of garden waste. We now have a short term trial consisting of a refuse lorry visiting different locations on a Sunday of each week.

All the evidence shows that recycling is much more effective when its done at the doorstep. This Conservative Administration appears to have no intention of introducing Borough wide 'Doorstep Collections' to include glass, green garden waste and plastics.

Liberal Democrats say "We must recycle More From Our Door".

Jane Kulka

Former Reigate & Banstead Borough Councillor