Recycling is a duty

Wednesday January 27, 2010

Three quarters of borough residents believe that recycling should be a ‘duty’, rather than a ‘choice’ according to a recent survey.

340 people answered an online poll on H&F’s website and 76 per cent agreed with the council that everyone should be doing their bit to increase recycling rates.

The council launched its ‘Recycling is a duty, not a choice’ campaign in October 2009 and it seems that residents are keen to do their bit by recycling more and sending less waste to expensive landfill sites.

Cllr Greg Smith, cabinet member for crime and street scene, said: “I am delighted to see that the vast majority of residents agree that recycling really is something that we should all be doing. Sending our waste to landfill is no different to throwing our money in the bin so it is wonderful to see so many people making a conscious decision to change their behaviour.

“If we were able to recycle twice as much as we currently do, it would save the council a staggering £2m a year in landfill charges. That is the equivalent of almost three per cent of all the council tax due to be collected in the next year!  So the more you recycle, the easier it is for us to keep your council tax bills as low as possible.”

One happy recycler is Laura Potel, who recently won £50 from the council’s waste and recycling contractor, Serco in a recycling prize draw.

Laura, aged 35 of Colehill Lane, Fulham,  said: “I was delighted to win the £50 prize. As a mother, I think that recycling is absolutely key and fundamental to the environment and future generations. I also know that councils can get penalised for sending waste to landfill so it certainly better value-for-money if we all recycle. It also means that council’s can spend more money on the things that matter most.”

It couldn’t be simpler for residents to recycle. The council introduced same day waste and recycling collections earlier last year and now both recycling and rubbish is collected by a team of  36 operatives in a fleet of 12 'split back' refuse and recycling trucks. In total, the council's team pick up orange recycling sacks from outside up to 57,000 residents' homes every week. 

To boost recycling figures and save taxpayers money, residents are urged to put their orange sacks out at the right time (after 9pm on the day before collection or before 6am on collection day).

What can you recycle with the council?

You can put the following in the borough's Smart recycling banks or orange sacks:

  • Paper and card - Newspapers, magazines, catalogues, directories, leaflets, loose paper, card and cardboard (please flatten)
  • Glass - Glass bottles and jars (no lids please)
  • Cans, tins and aerosols
  • Plastic bottles (please remove lids from plastic bottles and squash them if possible)
  • Paper-based drinks and liquid food cartons (e.g. Tetra Paks)


The following items cannot be placed in Smart Sacks or Smart Banks;

  • Food waste, cigarette ends or garden waste
  • Broken glass, pyrex or window glass
  • Paint, chemical containers or batteries
  • Other plastics (yoghurt pots, margarine containers, plastic bags or plastic film)
  • Builder’s waste or rubble
  • Foil or polystyrene
  • Paper towels, tissues or nappies
  • Textiles

Useful information

* Click on www.lbhf.gov.uk/recycling for details of your nearest recycling facilities.

* Call the Cleaner, Greener Hotline on 020 8753 1100 between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday, or email Cleaner.Greener@lbhf.gov.uk.