Letter - refuse collection

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 9th Aug 2004

Dear Editor,

The news that South Hams Council is to introduce fortnightly rubbish collection using wheely bins collected from the front gate is another instance of the public suffering cuts in services.

No one can argue with the need for more recycling or to pick up garden waste, but do we really have to have our festering rubbish hanging around for two weeks, particularly in a hot summer? We will be expected to put cooked and uncooked kitchen waste including meat and fish scraps directly into the bin wrapped only in newspaper. The potential for disease is enormous. These will then be composted in a new site assessed by the State Veterinary Service as being safe. Remember foot and mouth!

We are also told that only rubbish put in the bins will be collected - you have a party, generate extra waste and what do you do with it? Will this lead to an increase in that other obnoxious pollutant - the domestic bonfire?

Roadside collection is supposed to save money. I have lived in the South Hams for 25 years in 4 different areas and have always put the bins out! Indeed if you drive along any street on 'bin day' you will find the pavements festooned with bins and bags awaiting collection. Is this saving really there?

The Council is driven by the desirable need to meet Government recycling targets and reduce landfill, but do we have to reduce customer and environmental standards as well?

Yours sincerely,

M.J.H. Treleaven