A STUDY of household refuse is being conducted as part of the ongoing investigation into the potential for island-wide kerbside recycling.
No decision has yet been made on the introduction of collections, but the Public Services Department is currently reviewing the findings of a trial scheme that has been running since 2006 and considering options for providing a service for all households.
The options range from fortnightly collections of just dry recyclables on a parish-by-parish basis to a full weekly collection across the whole island that would also include organic kitchen and garden waste.
The cost of such a scheme would depend on the option chosen but it is likely to be between £650,000 and £1.4m. a year.
Letters are being delivered to 300 households in the Forest, Castel and parts of St Peter Port – areas that have been chosen for the survey.
If people agree to take part, their household waste will be collected separately from the normal parish round.
The contents will then be split into different waste types to assess the relative proportions.
Public Services minister Bill Bell said participation was optional, but he hoped there would be a good response as it was important that those households involved put out their normal waste to provide accurate findings.
‘All households that fall within the survey areas are free to opt out of the survey, however I hope that as many people as possible take part.
‘The information gathered will help to determine whether kerbside recycling goes ahead on an island basis and the likely cost and may also directly impact on decisions that we make about the future waste strategy.’
The latest study will
provide more information on the current composition of household waste to identify how much of it would be collected under each of the options.
It will also highlight which materials Public Services should focus on to maximise household recycling.
Article posted on 21st April, 2008 - 2.29pm
Most Commented: