The debate about refuse collection has been much in the news lately. The angle takes the lid off the great waste debate and asks Ipswich Borough Council's recycling team some key questions ...
Q Do you think a fortnightly collection is better than a weekly collection?
A: In Ipswich we do collect weekly - one week we collect landfill rubbish in black bins, the next week we collect recyclable waste in blue and brown bins. Our waste collection service has an 80% satisfaction rate among residents.
Q. Yes, but why can't you collect general waste every week?
A. Two reasons. Firstly, it is a fact that recycling rates rise when you have an alternate week collection and that is good for the environment and good for saving on landfill taxes. Secondly, increasing collections would be very expensive, perhaps a £600,000 a year bill to the council tax-payer.
Q. Where does the landfill waste from our black bins go?
A. This waste goes to the landfill site in Great Blakenham, just outside Ipswich. But the site will be full in about four years if we carry on generating waste at the current rate. This waste gives off methane gas and carbon dioxide, both dangerous greenhouse gases.
Q. So, how can we cut the amount of waste we are producing?
A. By recycling more. The Council is very pleased with the response of Ipswich residents but more needs to be done. Everyone in the town who wants a blue and a brown bin has one. Recycling rates are going up every year.
Q. What happens when the Great Blakenham site is full?
A. Suffolk County Council is in charge of waste disposal and it favours the incinerating option - building an incinerator close to an urban centre in the county. Ipswich Borough Council's new Environment portfolio-holder Louise Gooch says: "No site has been earmarked yet but we will hear about their shortlist in the autumn."
Q. Don't the present refuse collection arrangements cause smells and health problems?
A. Not if you "manage" your black bin properly. Try to keep it in the shade, keep it clean and wrap up cooked food waste.
Q. Do you practice what you preach?
A. Councillor Gooch says: "I hope so! There are four people, two adults and two children, in my family. We have a garden composter and we routinely separate our recyclable waste from our landfill waste. My blue bin is full every fortnight - my landfill bin is not. I am proud of the great recycling efforts made by residents in our town and together we can do even more and help our environment."