RECYCLING BINS UPDATE - August 23 2005

Keith Hill emails us with this comment and information -

"Thank you for your news item. I attach the latest letter (in full) from Onyx/Waste Management . I think the community at large may find it helpful.

It is being sent to all correspondents from both Dore & Bradway. I understand that there was also an undertaking to write to all who signed petitions or phoned. I have yet to establish how Onyx/SCC propose to do this.

As Chair of the South West Area Panel I have been able to place a copy in the SWAP notice board at the Bradway shops. Perhaps your Society might consider placing a copy for the general public in your notice board by the Devonshire.

Copies of the petition raised over the weekend (approx 400 signatures) will be forwarded to Onyx and Waste Management over the next few days.

Both communities have responded quickly to the issue with an overwhelming view that the proposed locations are wholly unsuitable.

Although pleased at the belated intention to work with the communities, I remain concerned that this could turn out to be merely a temporary reprieve. Moreover, here are some considerations which have not been included in the criteria for a viable site:

Will these sites generate a noise issue for nearby residents?
Will present anti-social behaviour be increased?
Will the sites generate litter?
Will non-drivers/non-carowners who may find a recycling point difficult to access be allocated a kerbside collection for bottles (and cans?)
.......likewise the elderly or frail who may find it impossible to bring their glass waste to these local points? The age profile in both communities make this a significant issue.
Will the visual amenity of the locality be affected adversely?
Ignoring London & Nottingham, if Derbyshire, Worksop, parts of North Yorkshire, Cornwall, Morecambe etc.etc. meet their recycling targets through a kerbside collection, why not Sheffield?

The petition team found strong support for recycling measures but, having tested local opinion, are persuaded that the suggested locations are wholly inappropriate.

Keith Hill

Liberal Democrat Councillor for Dore & Totley Ward.

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Below is the text, in full, of the latest letter from Onyx & the Council’s Waste Management Officer.
Please consider its contents carefully. Your letters. phone calls and signatures have had a significant effect but the issue is not yet resolved.
The letter invites your input and contact details are listed below. Your Panel members/Ward Councillors would welcome your views also. Please keep us informed so that we can act effectively on your behalf.

Keith Hill
Chair of South West Area Panel

Gillian Charters
Asst. Head, Waste Management
C/o Staniforth Road Depot, Staniforth Road S9 3HD Tel: 2037622

Onyx Tel. Recycling Help Line: 228 3630

Ward Councillors/Local Panel Members:

Keith Hill Tel: 235 2289
Anne Smith Tel: 262 0273
Mike Waters Tel: 236 3403
Email:
Keith.Hill@sheffield.gov.uk
Anne.Smith@sheffield.gov.uk
Michael.Waters@sheffield.gov.uk

In writing: C/o Sheffield City Council, Old Town Hall, Sheffield, S1 2HH

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PROPOSED RECYCLING FACILITIES

Thank you for your correspondence regarding the proposed installation of the bottle bank units at Dore/ Bradway shops.

The installation of the new recycling facilities has been in response to many requests for more recycling facilities in your area. Previously the only recycling banks available have been the large containers (often plastic) sited in supermarket car parks etc, that are only really suitable for a large area. Regrettably a suitable space in Dore was not identified at that time despite many efforts.

Onyx Sheffield have worked closely with the glass reprocessor to find an alternative collection system to trial that would enable us in Sheffield to respond to the local demand for facilities, where demand too is high on public space. This new system of recycling units we wish to bring to Dore already works very successfully in other parts of the Country including London & Nottingham.

The City Council and Onyx Sheffield have been and are listening to the concerns of the local communities in placing these facilities. Our preference to place the facilities at the site of local shops is because we know these are sites that residents use on a regular basis and can conveniently combine recycling with their other errands.

We appreciate that the community, have various highway issues that the placing of the banks may raise have been carefully considered by the Councils Highways section, and clear instruction on where to place the recycling bank units with regard to lines of vision were given and have been adhered to.

The Council and Onyx Sheffield are keen to move forward in a constructive and positive way, this is in everyone’s interest. Our proposed course of action is that we will not install the recycling banks in this location, on the anticipation that an alternative suitable local site for the facilities can be agreed by the end of September 2005.

Considerations for a viable site include:

Needs to be local community/ focal point, a centre where residents regularly go as part of their everyday life, with other facilities such as shops
Parking and access for vehicles and pedestrian, and serviceable by the collection vehicle
Acceptable to landowner, Sheffield City Council Highway Engineers & Streetforce
An asset to the local community

This list is not exhaustive, and each site will need to be considered on an individual basis. Onyx Sheffield are happy to visit and discuss options and the viability of possible sites.

As a final and last resort to get recycling facilities into Dore, if we are all still unable to find a suitable alternative site, we would like to actually ‘trial’ the recycling bank units at this location, and evaluate the success/ acceptability of the facility against the current perceived detrimental impacts. The trial would run to the end of December 2005.

The City Council and Onyx Sheffield are committed to increasing the amount of waste we recycle. Each local authority has statutory (legal obligation) recycling performance targets that must be met. The way we manage our waste in Sheffield is changing to reflect these demands, and as such we need to improve convenience and access to recycling facilities for all our residents, within the budgeting constraints that impact all council services. We wish do this in partnership with the community.

Your involvement in identifying a suitable site in your neighbourhood is appreciated and we look forward to hearing from you. Please contact Recycling Help line at Onyx 0114 228 3630 with your suggestions for alternative sites.

Yours sincerely

Lea Hawkes, Recycling Manager
Gillian Charters, Assistant Head Waste Management
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