Recycling bins to be dumped?
By Chrys Ayley
Spokesperson for the Newlands and Paparangi Progressive Association Jim Candiliotis questions the Wellington City council?s commitment to recycling after last week?s announcement that kerbside recycling bins could be phased out. WCC Mayor Kerry Prendergast said the global economic downturn has reduced prices of glass, plastic and steel which makes recycling a very expensive business. Recycling bins could be phased out because of the mess they cause in Windy Wellington, including blockage of drains and marine pollution. An alternative would be to use recyclable plastic bags, which may eventually be sold to the public, instead. The problem of rubbish blowing out of bins is easily solved by placing items in plastic bags or securing the goods with simple clip on invention Mr Candiliotis says. ?It?s taken care of quite a lot of the excess.? He said the council had been approached several years ago with such an invention ?but the chap didn?t even get an interview.? He says Auckland and Dunedin are currently trialling similar systems. Over the years council has tried all sorts of rubbish disposal methods and the cost of bags has increased dramatically. The Newlands Mall recycling depot was removed even though it was fully utilised, then residents got recycling bins and now ?they are pushing us towards having bins - no recycling and all goes to the landfill.? Mr Candiliotis says once charges are introduced and it becomes difficult to recycle ?People will do the lazy thing.? ?When they make up their minds whether they are serious about recycling then they should make a decision as to how they are going to fund it.? People can go on-line and make their comments on the environment plan at www.wellingtonlongtermplan.co.nz
