GUERNSEY is in danger of missing its recycling target. The States has set a goal of 50% by 2010.
Public Services is in charge of cutting the island’s waste. During discussions on whether food waste should be included in a full scale kerbside collection scheme if one was introduced, minister Bernard Flouquet said a consultant’s report indicated that it was a clear factor in being able to achieve the 50% target.
If it was not introduced it brought the recycling figure down to 46%.
The department was debating a recommendation that because of factors such as the land available for the resultant product, processing food waste would not be viable and so should not go ahead.
They decided to find out the cost of a further study on the issue before voting on whether to reject the idea.
Deputy minister Scott Ogier argued successfully that it had not had a response from companies interested in dealing with food waste.
‘With regard to 50%, it’s a target to aim for, but we have to be very careful how we do it,’ he said.
‘If we’re reaching it by putting vast amounts of green waste through a composting scheme, that’s not what it’s designed for.’
He added that recycling was meant to save energy and reuse materials.
Deputy Flouquet said that the department as the waste authority had a problem as far as landfill was concerned.
‘Reduction of our overall waste stream to landfill is what we’re trying to achieve and those other factors come into it.’
He agreed with his deputy minister that the department had to be careful in how it tried to achieve the target.
Deputy Ogier said that the department had heard the fears about recycling food waste, but these had not been put to the people who produce the product.
‘We also have to be prepared for the way the world is moving, which is more towards local agriculture. If we have a ready supply of soil conditioner and fertiliser in this island, we’re going to be in a good position.’
The amount of waste that any plant, such as an incinerator would have to deal with, has been calculated on reaching the recycling target.
Article posted on 23rd October, 2008 - 2.29pm
One Article Comment
Is it just me, or is there a terrible irony with a letter published today, and it’s ridiculous response from Bernard Flouquet in today’s press relating to the benefits claimed by “Think Environmental Ltd”.
Here is an article about recycling targets and an option on the table that the States is pushing aside.
How dare an elected representative push petty bureaucracy in the way of a solution for Guernsey at no capital expense.
This is a DISGRACE. States, let go of your precious procurement processes; look at where they have got the taxpayer so far (airport, harbour and other serious overspends).
If this company can do what it claims and the states sees fit to ignore this option, I wonder if there is a legal process for taxpayers to take on the states for misappropriation of taxpayers money?
Because if an expensive capital route is followed as a result of the current tender process, then that is what will happen.
The States must NOT be allowed to waste opportunities in this way without being answerable to the taxpayers. Maybe this technology was not available at this time and not every company can keep tabs on the massive amount of paper published by EU tender lists.
This is typical of a big government, but Guernsey has a small government (or should do???).
Small should mean nimble, and if an alternative solution has come to light since the start of the tender process, nimble moves must be made for the benefit of the island and the taxpayer. And this must happen NOW.
Are you listening Mr Flouquet?
We will see……..
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