27 June - Rubbish from start to finish
There was another Scrutiny Committee meeting last night chaired as usual by Councillor Melvin Seymour who even if
the Peer Review suggested otherwise has
always done a decent job of keeping ‘Places’ in order as far as I am concerned.
Maybe he is favoured by interesting subject matter or perhaps I don't know what I should be looking out for.
Yesterday’s meeting may have rambled on a bit at times and the only significant
subject on the Agenda was Rubbish. The roll out of the new four bin system -
which is running late - but before that a presentation by local company - no,
international company that has a major presence in Erith and one I had never heard of.
A family owned business called European Metal Recycling Ltd (EMR). They do plastic recycling too but not in Erith.
It’s amazing
what can go on on your doorstep unnoticed.
Commercial Manager Samuel Taylor gave
an illustrated presentation
and a video which showed how they not only processed thousands of tonnes of
metal every day but also found time to support the local community. Their
attempts to interest Bexley’s schools had not yet met with success and the
Committee offered their assistance.
Councillor Davey (Conservative, West Heath) asked about the recycling of batteries and was told that
lithium ion batteries in particular can be dangerous starting fires when in
contact with other metals. Put them in the dedicated recycling bins found in some shops.
Councillor Sally Hinkley (Labour, Belvedere) referred to the all too frequent thefts of catalytic
converters from cars. Could they be easily identified when taken for scrap? The
answer suggested it was not easy as it was known that some unscrupulous scrap
merchants are still “pushing the boundaries” and prepared to break the law and
trade for cash. The phrase “money laundering” was used. Experienced EMR staff monitor potential abuse closely but “we know it is going on”.
It was confirmed that EMR also recycled the rare metals often found in electronic components.
The remainder of the meeting was concerned with the roll out of the eagerly
anticipated - by most residents - new wheelie bins. Unfortunately there has been
a serious hiccup and the first of the new bins will not be delivered to
householders until September. With a 14 week programme of deliveries some should arrive just in time for Christmas.