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From Cllr Mark Edwards Conservative Group Spokesman, Taunton Deane Borough Council
Date: 15th October 2007
CONCERN EXPRESSED ABOUT POSSIBLE DOWN GRADING OF RECYCLING SERVICE IN TAUNTON AND WELLINGTON
Councillor Mark Edwards, who was responsible for the introduction of the present recycling service in Taunton, is today highlighting concerns, he has about changes that are being considered to the recycling service in Taunton and Wellington. Trials are due to take place shortly in various areas to find ways of incorporating cardboard and plastics into the collection system however some of the options involved he fears are a backward step and could be very damaging to recycling in Taunton and Wellington.
He said, “I made it clear when I introduced the “Sort It” recycling services in Taunton and Wellington that the service that I was offering was future proof and that the recycling collection of plastics and cardboard was the next introduction. I am very proud of the system that I introduced and it has led to Taunton Deane having amongst the most successful recycling rates in the entire country at 50%.”
“However I am deeply concerned that amongst the trial options being considered is a change to the service that when plastics and cardboard are introduced to the recycling service they may change the collection of all recyclable items too fortnightly to counter the additional costs of adding these items to the service.”
“This was never the intention and I will not see the recycling service being compromised by the new Liberal Democrat administration at Taunton Deane and will demand that when plastics and cardboard are introduced it will be in addition to the services on offer and will not be detrimental to the present scheme in any form at all.”
“The people of Taunton and Wellington have clearly embraced the service the massive increase of recycling in the area is testament to that and they all appreciate its environmental importance and should therefore be encouraged to do more not driven to do less.”
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