‘One-size-fits-all waste policy not working’ says councillor (From Haringey Independent)

‘One-size-fits-all waste policy not working’ says Haringey Councillor

11:31am Wednesday 24th October 2012 in News By Bruce Thain

More than 120 bins in just five roads were found to be overflowing with rubbish a survey reveals.

The roads in Wood Green were part of a sample survey carried out by Lib Dems from Haringey Borough Council who are claiming the area is blighted by overflowing bins.

The five roads included in the survey were Alexandra Road, Park Ridings, Malvern Road, Hornsey Park Road and The Avenue with 124 bins found overflowing and 57 properties with rubbish piled up outside.

Councillor Richard Wilson, leader of Liberal Democrat opposition said: "All of Haringey's residents expect to live in clean streets with an effective bin collection service.

“Sadly Haringey Council cannot even get this basic service right and filthy streets and disgusting piles of overflowing rubbish are now a common sight.

“In just half an hour our survey identified over 100 overflowing bins in one small part of Wood Green.

“It is astonishing Haringey Labour think it is acceptable for our streets to be filled with overflowing rubbish in this way. Some of these bins are swarming with flies, and the smell is horrendous.

He added: “It should have been obvious that introducing fortnightly rubbish collections would cause problems in areas like Wood Green, where there are lots of houses broken into flats and bedsits.

“The Labour Council's one-size-fits-all policy on bin collections is clearly not working. The council needs to start listening to residents and urgently clean up our streets."

A spokeswoman for Haringey Council said: “We have monitored the situation to identify where there are problems with overflowing bins and we are working with residents to address these.

“Some people are not yet taking full advantage of the new recycling service, but we are working to raise awareness of everything that can be recycled from normal household waste.”

They added if anyone is struggling to contain waste, they should contact the Veolia Contact Centre where officers will be able to assist.

The new waste policy was introduced by Haringey Council earlier this year and has been rolled out in three phases starting in the west of the borough and finally in the Tottenham and Seven Sisters area earlier this month.