REDUCED SPENDING IS BETTER FOR EVERYONE
Today, May 23rd, 2022, I WILL OUTLINE WHERE I BELIEVE SAVINGS CAN BE MADE!
WASTE COLLECTION SERVICES publication
The publication: The Waste collection services: guidance for local authorities is a non-statutory guidance to help local authorities … basically says Authorities should collect dry recyclables weekly or can prioritise the waste collection services if there is unexpected pressure on resources. It considers them to be low priority. That means there will be minimal or no disruption if the services are suspended. It states they are minimal or no risk to human health and should be collected weekly or changed to fortnightly.
There is unexpected pressure! There is a climate emergency and war in ukraine. The government wants to reduce oil imports from Russia and has a 10-point plan to tackle climate change!
The government’s 10-point plan to tackle climate change
BBC Newsround, explains simply that petrol and diesel are fossil fuels. When used they give off carbon dioxide (CO2). It is a greenhouse gas which is harmful to the environment. It causes global warming. In the government’s 10-point plan to tackle climate change the sale of new petrol and diesel cars will be banned after 2030.
It is easy to joke, ‘When heading for a crash you instinctively put your foot on the brake. You don’t expect to have to wait 10 years to stop!‘ However the situation is not funny. I would like the government to cover all types of vehicle and make the restrictions sooner!
REDUCING OIL IMPORTS AND REDUCED SPENDING IS GOOD
I believe local authorities can help if they reduce spending on diesel. Vehicles that are diesel driven produce the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide (CO2), which is known to increase global warming and increase climate change. Local Authorities that have numerous diesel powered vehicles use considerable amounts of diesel. Reducing diesel consumption will reduce carbon emissions, help reduce climate change, be good for the environment and authority spending.
For the first time in nearly a hundred years there is war on our doorstep. The government wants to reduce oil imports from Russia. We are not asked to fight, but Ukraine says we can help stop it if we stop buying Russian oil! Do you want to stop it. If saving money on oil products, such as diesel, would save lives would you encourage your local authority to use less?
RECYCLE ANGEL
In 2019 a number of small businesses owners told me problems they had with recycling. I wanted to help them and had conversations with the local authority recycling management. Our conversations ended with no useful conclusion but I learned they have problems too. Determined to help them and their customers I wrote the novel, Recycle Angel. In it I look at problems from the point of view of customers and recycling management. The story gives a basic appreciation of recycling from the kitchen to sales and setting up a novel recycling business. In 2019 recycling needed improvement. Today the need for improvement is even more important. With no financial interest, other than reducing council tax hikes, I say give recycling respect but use a different approach to collecting it. An approach which will cut diesel emissions and spending. Where possible reducing spending is good for everyone.
A SIMPLE WAY TO SAVE
The waste collection services guidance gives authorities the option to collect recycling weekly or fortnightly. That gives the option to extend the time between recycling collections from one week to two. Authorities that collect recycling every two week will use half the amount of diesel as those that collect it every week. Extending the time between collections makes a saving. Every extension is significant. The greater the time between collections the greater is the saving. The government should carry out research and determine the longest acceptable time between collections. In light of the climate emergency, the war in Ukraine and the possibility of reducing council tax hikes, the government the authorities and customers must decide what can be done.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS RECOMMENDED IN THE PUBLICATION
The publication states that if local authorities consider changing to fortnightly collections they must consider collecting recycling materials waste paper, metal, plastic and glass by separate collection. It also states that if changes are to be made contracts between authorities and reprocessors they will need to be reviewed.
explanation
Any change to collections would have to be agreed between authorities and reprocesses. The instruction is to collect dry recyclables not garden waste. Many authorities have contracts with reprocesses and they would have to discuss changes to procedures. I’m sorry, a further complication is the recycling rate. The records show that in 2018/2019 recycling rates of 345 local authorities ranged from 14.1% to 64.8%. Garden waste, plants, weeds, twigs etc have a bigger effect on the recycling rate than dry recyclables collected. The more garden waste an authority collects the better its recycling rate! If an authority does not collect garden waste its recycling rate will be reduced.
Conclusion
I have shown a way that authorities can help the environment, climate change and authority spending. They can’t do it alone. They need the government’s help, a change in the law to extend the period between dry recyclables collections! The government must do everything necessary. It will save diesel, carbon emissions and money. Can I suggest savings can be used to give operatives green training on green projects that will eventually make even more savings.
Reduced spending, saving, is better for everyone!
References 16.05.2022
https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/54985070
Homepage
https://recycleangel.co.uk and https://fredpageauthor.co.uk
I recommend reading my book RECYCLE ANGEL. Check on Google https://recycleangel.co.uk or message me on Fred Page for Guisborough. I look forward to hearing from you.
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