Compulsory recycling north of the Goldhawk Road
by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
10/09/2007
Residents living north of Goldhawk Road will be the first in the borough to trial compulsory recycling.
The scheme, which comes in from 1 October, makes it compulsory for residents in street properties, north of the Goldhawk Road, to recycle certain items of household waste using the orange Smart Sack recycling service.
Residents in street properties will be expected to place glass bottles and jars, tins, cans, empty aerosols, tetra paks, paper and magazines in their Smart Sacks for collection. People who persistently fail to recycle will be served with a formal legal notice and issued with a £100 fixed penalty.
Hammersmith & Fulham is currently recycling over 25 per cent of its household waste. However, in order to meet the recycling target of 30 per cent by 2010, it is essential that all residents take part in the weekly recycling service.
Councillor Nicholas Botterill, H&F Cabinet Member for Environment and Deputy Leader, says, "Our aim is to make the transition to a compulsory scheme as easy as possible for residents. Many residents already recycle their rubbish and the aim of this trial is to encourage others who don’t to do their bit."
But, as Councillor Botterill explains, the measures are necessary to promote a cleaner, greener borough and to reduce council tax. He says, "Recycling targets are set by central Government, with local councils being fined if they do not meet their individual targets. As well as being cleaner and greener, increasing recycling rates helps us to keep the council tax down as we will have fewer fines to pay from central Government."
Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the council can legally require residents to use particular containers or sacks for different waste materials. In this new scheme, the council does not allow residents to put certain recyclable materials in their black sacks or bins for disposal. These must instead be placed in an orange Smart Sack for recycling. If successful the trial will be rolled out across the rest of the borough.
What do I put in the orange sack?
Paper and card – newspapers; junk mail; magazines; directories and cardboard packaging
Glass bottles and jars of all colours (please rinse and remove lids)
Drink cans, food tins (please rinse before recycling) and used aerosols
Plastic bottles (please rinse and remove lids)
Food and drink cartons and waxed cups (please rinse before recycling).
The following should not be put in the Smart Sack – Food waste; garden waste; plastic food packaging; plastic cups; margarine tubs/yogurt pots; paper towels and tissues; nappies; crisp packets; sweet wrappers; food contaminated paper and card; plastic carrier bags and polystyrene.
How do I get the orange Smart Sacks?
Orange sacks are free and packs of 30 sacks are delivered to your door three times a year. If you need more, these can be collected from one of the designated pick up points. Call the hotline on 020 8753 1100 to find your most convenient point.
How is my recycling collected?
Place your securely tied Smart Sacks either just inside your front garden where they can be clearly seen from the street, or on the kerbside immediately outside your property. To make sure your recycling is collected, please place your Smart Sack out before 6.30am on your collection day or after 9pm the night before. Please do not leave your sack out at any other time as you may incur a fine for unlawful dumping.
What if I am physically unable to lift the recycling sack?
Elderly and disabled residents can get help by asking for an assisted collection. Phone the hotline on 020 8753 1100 to make these arrangements.
What if I live in a flat?
Compulsory recycling applies to all households that have a kerbside collection of refuse and recycling. So for example, if you live in a block of flats and your waste is collected from large shared wheeled bins, compulsory recycling will not apply initially.
If you have any questions about the compulsory recycling scheme north of the Goldhawk Road , please phone the recycling hotline on 020 8753 1100 or visit www.lbhf.gov.uk/recycling
