Recycling backed by fines, a solution we can’t ignore

Published: 26 November, 2010

• I WAS more than a little dismayed to read your negative piece about the council’s plans to introduce compulsory recycling (£110 fine if you fail to recycle your waste, November 19). While there may be some detail that needs to be worked out, this is broadly a good scheme that will achieve the desired results – a higher recycling rate across the borough.

There is no need for such a scheme to negatively impact on the elderly or vulnerable. All it needs is some careful communication from the council and a bit of community spirit from neighbours to help anyone they think is struggling.

There are some concrete facts that people need to be aware of: our world has finite resources so we need to manage materials to ensure they are re-used and recycled as much as possible. 

Our city and country have finite space and our landfills will become full. And Europe has various decrees meaning that we will be fined if we don’t reduce the quantity of waste we send to landfill and these costs will be passed onto the taxpayer in one form or another. Therefore, as a community we should be looking at every solution possible, whether it’s community led, such as our shop, Unpackaged, or council led.

If any readers are unsure about how to recycle, come and see us in the shop and we’ll help you out.

CATHERINE CONWAY
Founder, Unpackaged  
EC1