Labour's new Sutton Recycling Plan announced
Ambitious new plans to boost recycling in
Sutton Coldfield have been launched recently by local Labour campaigner Dr. Rob Pocock.
We have summarised the plans below. They have been drawn up based on results from the survey
in our autumn issue of the 'Community Action' newsletter. YOUR replies showed:
- Over 90% of Sutton residents want a multi-material recycling box for plastic bottles and containers,
wrapping, cans, glass and textiles.
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86% backed special collections of green garden and kitchen waste so it can be made into compost.
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The majority wanted 'wheelie bins' but views were more evenly divided. As a result we are backing a scheme
where residents will have the choice on whether to have a bin, or stick with the black sack.
Recycle more — and get a
Council Tax rebate! See below
for Labour's radical new idea
A new £5 million government pilot scheme is giving residents who recycle more,
a reduction in their Council Tax bills!
And with the City's ruling Conservative / Lib Dem coalition putting Sutton's
Council Tax up to the highest ever levels this year, all the more reason you would think, why we should be in the pilot!
But you've guessed it, our new Council bosses have not applied to take part.
This means YOU miss out because of their dim attitude.
Other ideas in the scheme are for funds to go to
community facilities where neighbourhoods do well at recycling, or environmental and wildlife schemes get extra money.
But again we miss out
Expanded recycling collection scheme
- a 'new blue box' collected
every fortnight, you would be able to put plastics, textiles, bottles, tin
and aluminium cans, shoes and books for recycling or reprocessing.
- The paper and cardboard same as now.
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A 'new green bin' garden and kitchen waste collection for composting at a central location. Meat would need to be excluded because of the risk of contaminating the compost.
The compost produced could be resold in local stores shops and-garden centres.
Alternatively, free issue of 'home composting bins' so you can 'do it yourself' in the back garden!
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The choice of either a wheelie bin or the black sack scheme as now – you decide which you prefer!
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A community recycling scheme in Sutton, where a coalition of community groups could register to collect materials
for re-use such as furniture, clothes, garden equipment. This could be funded under the Labour Government's new support
programme for voluntary community recycling schemes.
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A Sutton wide 'retailer waste reduction challenge' where local stores, supermarkets and retail outlets
would compete to see which could reduce their packaging waste the most every year.
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A 'household incentive scheme' (see top of the page) where households could claim Council Tax rebates for recycling
more and putting out less general rubbish. Alternatively residents in a neighbourhood could register to have the benefit
used by a local school or community association.
Costly? No - because waste disposal costs (which are rising fast) would be dramatically reduced. Also the Labour government are providing backing for capital investment and cash for road-testing pilot schemes. Other Councils are already doing things like this – why not us?
. Do YOU know places that need a 'clean up/ green up'?
Write with details to Rob at
Sutton Coldfield Campaign
Centre,
46 Rectory Park Ave,
B75 7BN
or use this feedback form.
More Campaign Action from Dr Rob Pocock
Sutton's strongest challenger to the Conservatives