Disappointed Recycler of VRP writes:
I was, and I am sure many other residents were, quite disappointed to see the ad which was almost hidden away among sporting features on the inside back page of Express dated December 14, in which Mpact advised householders that it was ending its kerbside collection of recyclable materials as from December 13.
One presumes it has, in essence, become economically unviable, with fuel costs, etc.
Mpact’s MD suggests that householders instead either take advantage of schools and other organisations which collect paper and cardboard by taking such to such drop-off points, or encourage (in his words) “other collectors” into their area.
I fear that lots of recyclable material will now simply end up in wheelie bins along with other household and garden refuse. Why? I see two probable reasons.
One, because kerbside collection was convenient. Not having to load bags or boxes into your vehicle and drive to wherever. I certainly won’t.
Secondly, one presumes that by the “other collectors” to whom Mr Hunt refers, he doesn’t mean another formal business taking such over, but means the informal or unemployed/unemployable sector, the “pickers” who frequent our neighbourhoods in ever-increasing numbers.
The latter have become more prolific these past couple of years or so. The problem is exacerbated when refuse is not collected on the scheduled day, the bins standing on pavements for a further few days, and “collectors” (often, the same ones), are in your area day after day, rooting through bin contents.
No doubt noting where nothing has been added into the bin, a sure sign that no one’s been home and may still be away. Police encourage residents to not give any indicators that a house is unoccupied, even for a few days, yet nothing added into a bin is a clear sign.
A drive around almost everywhere and will see pavements and kerbs lined with wheelies. I once took ours, still full, in at five o’clock, presuming the refuse teams would have finished work for the day. The vehicle came around at eight o’clock that evening.
Surely one of the reasons why several parts of any suburb have been enclosed or intend enclosing has been the residents’ desire to keep such “collectors” out of their area. I know that applies in our case.
