Theme 1: Promotional Campaigns

General

Hounslow council have recently started a community waste action group – perhaps this is something we could also consider.

Action 2 and Action 6

Usability of the website could be improved. The concern being that if people are not able to find information quickly and easily enough they will give up and not bother recycling. There should be emphasis on what can be recycled in the borough in each area and when.

Action 8

The guide is a fantastic idea. We hope that this will be visual and be very accessible. For example details such as whether tin foil can be recycled and which bag it goes in are important for recipients of the guide.

For those items that are not recyclable in the Borough, we would like the council to provide information of where the nearest facilities can be found.

Appendix 8

We would like to see the Going for Green and the Christmas campaign have a higher profile as members of the group have not been aware of it. We would be happy to support the council with these campaigns.

Theme 2: Kerbside Collection Schemes                                           [Top] 

General

Please could you clarify which types of plastic the Borough will be recycling in the three bag system?  Would it also be possible to list the items that residents will not be able to recycle? We are not expecting to be able to recycle everything through the collection scheme, but just want to clarify what provisions will be available.

General

The report does not specify how this scheme will be introduced in terms of whether it will be started through a pilot scheme or whether there will be a Borough-wide roll out. We think clarification of this should be included in the plan.

General

It is encouraging that the kerbside scheme will incorporate the collection of organic waste. However, this is very restrictive as many Borough residents are estate dwellers and will not have access to this facility at the recycling sites.

Action 10

The three bag system is a positive idea. It is important that the bags can be easily obtained, that people know where to obtain them, and that they can be obtained at flexible times and as locally as possible. We feel that the set up in the Royal Borough Kensington and Chelsea is slightly restrictive as bags are only available in four locations.

Theme 3: Community Recycling Sites Service                                 [Top]

General

Sites could be made more aesthetically pleasing. Many of the current sites are poorly lit and in a bad state of repair. Perhaps a community project could be launched to improve these sites such as the painting of murals by children.

Action 16

Underground containers sound expensive. We understand the potential advantages of using such containers but we think the council’s priority needs to be educating the residents and providing an easy to use recycling service. We have a concern that this money might be better spent on other areas of the strategy.

Theme 4: Expansion of the schools recycling scheme

General

We would like to see the Borough introduce a scrap store for use by schools and community groups.

Theme 5: Recycling with Local Businesses

General

It is important that businesses are encouraged to recycle regardless of which provider they use. We would like to see local businesses included in the education/information campaign.

Theme 6: Composting                                                                       [Top]

General

Hounslow council offers a composter training day and half-yearly composting magazine for all those residents who have bought a composter. Perhaps this might be a consideration.

General

The group would very much like the council to consider a community composting scheme, especially in areas of the Borough where people do not have their own gardens.

Theme 7: Recycling with the council

General

The group is very interested to know the council’s policy on the procurement and use of recycled products within its offices and services, for example using recycled paper across the board.  We feel it is very important that the council sets a good example that the Borough residents can follow.

General Comments                                                                           [Top]

It was nice to see a schedule for the promotional events. However, it would be good to see similar plans and possibly timescales for other sections of the strategy.

It was useful that the plan contains figures of the monies allocated to the strategy, but it would be more helpful to have a overall breakdown of how monies will be spent (at least within the themes) to help people get an idea of the big picture.

Does the Borough have a policy on waste reduction both within the council and for residents/businesses? It would be nice to see reference to it in the strategy.