23 September - The bin tax. It could be worse
When
Bexley Council announced that it would
increase
the cost of garden waste collection until us suckers showed some sign of
resistance I immediately cancelled my subscription.
Using materials salvaged from the nearby fly tip I constructed a crude compost
heap and
bought a shredder for not much more than twice the cost of an annual waste
subscription. The picture shows this summer’s ‘harvest’. Amazing how it reduces
in size once chopped up small and the shredder is quite fun to use.
Last week I visited my sister in Hampshire where they also have to pay for a
garden waste bin. I mean that literally. Her Council charges £75 to issue a bin and this
year jacked the collection price up by 60% to £120 for a fortnightly collection.
The other recyclables are collected at four weekly intervals but maybe that is
because there is not much to collect. The only thing allowed into the plastics
bin is bottles. Items must be bottle shaped because the machinery is not
programmed to pick up anything else.
Glass containers are taken
once a month unless they are broken. The Council says that broken glass is far too dangerous.
And as if that is not enough, East Hampshire Council is consulting on closing the local
recycling centre where visits are currently rationed.
Maybe there is an opportunity there for Country Style to show Hampshire how to do things.
£120 a year for garden waste collection!