This Is Guernsey

By Thom Ogier

A FALTERING recycling rate has prompted deputies to question Public Services’ green credentials and ask whether abandoning islandwide kerbside collection was a mistake.

The States recycling target is 50% by 2010, but Public Services’ projected figure for the end of this year is 33%, although yesterday it said it might end up more like 36%.

West District deputy Shane Langlois expected the shortfall. ‘I thought that once the States decided not to pursue kerbside recycling it meant it would be to hard to get household recycling up to 50%.

‘The rate has plateaued, which is what particular people said in the past that it would do without kerbside.’

Deputy Langlois was disappointed with the level of interest in kerbside recycling from both Public Services and the States as a whole.

‘I would have liked to see Public Services come up with something, put a bit of enthusiasm into it, but the States rejected that too.’

St Peter Port deputy Jan Kuttelwascher had seen clues as to why the rate of increase had slowed.

‘I think it has plateaued because kerbside collection has been removed from St Peter Port,’ he said.

‘I know some people are just binning it and not taking it to be recycled any more.

‘I don’t know how much of a factor that is, but it is a factor.’

Deputy Rhoderick Matthews said the department was responsible.

‘I don’t think there is a serious will on the part of Public Services to get recycling up if it involves any expense at all, and people want to have kerbside recycling.’

Deputy David De Lisle was very disappointed at the recycling rate.

‘Public Services has to channel far more energy into resource recovery, intensive waste segregation, recycling and composting if they are to attain the recycling target set and approved by the States for next year.’

His research showed Guernsey was well behind other jurisdictions which had already met the target.

Public Services’ own studies have shown that kerbside collection of dry recyclables can deliver 46% recycling and reduce landfill at Mont Cuet by 4,000 tonnes a year.’

‘At current rates this could save half a million pounds in tipping fees and this would provide an immediate financial benefit to parishes and value added to recyclables,’ said Deputy De Lisle.

He saw kerbside collections as an integral part of the solid waste disposal plan approved by the States in January 2007.

‘Under this policy, half the island’s properties were supposed to be served by kerbside recycling by 2009 and the remainder by 2012.’

PSD minister Bernard Flouquet said it was time deputies moved on. ‘It doesn’t help if every time we announce yet another increase in recycling levels, deputies simply use it as an opportunity to raise the kerbside issue again. The States has debated that on a number of occasions and has made its decision.’

He said a selective kerbside scheme aimed at people who could not use bring banks was being investigated.

Article posted on 26th November, 2009 - 2.29pm