Fornightly rubbish collections get no vote
Fortnightly rubbish collections have been trashed by residents in a town in Kent who voted overwhelmingly against adopting the new system. The vote uncovered that health concerns far outweigh environmental ones when it comes to our waste. Of 10,379 people who responded to a public vote in Dartford, 94.5% favoured weekly collections over a fortnightly service. The ballot revealed that 89.2% of householders said they still needed to be reassured that there were no health risks associated with alternate weekly collections.
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Around 140 local authorities have already adopted the controversial system with recyclable items like glass, newspaper and cans being collected on alternate weeks. But those who oppose the change believe it encourages vermin. Dartford Borough Council leaders seemed to try to save face by saying that the results highlighted an underlying willingness of people to recycle, with 51.7% admitting their household could do more.
Council leader Jeremy Kite, a Conservative, said: "We've had a massive response from residents which goes to show that refuse collection is a very important subject and people want to have their say.
[via Sky News]
The Council didn't 'try to save face at all' and it's somewhat disingenuous of you to suggest otherwise. The vote was a straight choice between the two options with an agreement to follow what the majority voted for.
Posted by: Tom | August 1, 2007 10:48 PM