Business as usual

So today I have a few moments to myself just to reflect on some of the burning issues of the day. At the top of the pile is the whole subject of waste collection and the results of the considerable amount of time and effort put in by the newly formed Dorset Waste Partnership to develop a uniform waste collection system across the County excluding Poole and Bournemouth. Christchurch signed up to this process some time ago and over the next month or so the details will emerge of how the new system will work and produce the savings to the taxpayer which was the sole reason for the exercise. Putting waste into plastic bags and then committing them to landfill sites cannot continue so a whole new direction needs to be found and that is what I expect to see rolled out in Christchurch, East Dorset and the other Authorities involved. Not the least of the issues is in fact the value of the residual waste product, stuff like plastic and aluminium is shooting up in value so the quality of this product becomes important hence the priority of efficient separation of household waste to ensure best prices and maximised income. Trail areas like St Katherine's Hill have shown how recycle rates soar when emphasis is put on separation of food and residual waste so I would guess this has featured greatly in what DWP are going to roll out. All will be revealed very shortly and for me the importance of looking at the issue of waste will be more than just the timing of collection but how we can maintain a service which will meet residents needs and saves taxpayers money as well as understanding that landfill is not the right way to deal with our rubbish.