Thinking outside the green box

5:14pm Thursday 8th March 2007

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The controversial Berrylands recycling scheme has begun - but does the area smell of nappies or can we breathe an environmentally-friendly sigh of relief?

The answer, in short, depends on who you ask.

“When introducing schemes such as this, it is to be expected there will be a certain number of residents who do not participate – either because they’re not sure how to or because they do not want to.”

Rob Dickson, Kingston's head of environment and sustainability

Kingston Council was first to get a release out this week, saying early signs were very encouraging.

While figures need analysis, up to 75 per cent of households in the trial area are taking part in the weekly recycling and fortnightly rubbish collections - 50 per cent of eligible residents take part in the green box scheme.

But Conservative councillors said the trial got off to a poor start.

Bin bags were left out, wheelie bins overflowed and foxes had a field day.

Councillor Richard Hudson said: "This eight bin trial has long been opposed by the Conservatives. This executive is incompetent at planning any project, even this Berrylands trial which is relatively small.

"The images from the first day are embarrassing for Councillor Shard, who waxed lyrical about how good the consultation has been and how the trial would be the first step in maybe rolling this out throughout the borough."

Kingston Council maintained it was very pleased with the first few days.

Head of environment and sustainability Rob Dickson said: "The council has been extremely pleased and greatly encouraged by the first collection.

"When introducing schemes such as this, it is to be expected there will be a certain number of residents who do not participate - either because they're not sure how to or because they do not want to."

He added that the council had anticipated a number of people not taking part in the scheme, but that more had taken part than it thought.

Executive member for sustainability, Councillor Liz Shard, said: "I have had four emails about it, two positive and two negative. I think four emails suggests people are just getting on with it.

"One of the emails was about black bins being left out and foxes, but I think that was happening a week ago and two weeks ago, so I cannot see how it could be worse now than then."

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