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2.14 Deputy S. Power of the Minister for Transport and Technical Services regarding an increase in glass waste being included in mixed domestic refuse deposited at the incinerator at Bellozanne:
Can the Minister confirm whether his department has noticed an increase in glass bottles and general glass waste being included in mixed domestic refuse deposited at the incinerator at Bellozanne? If so, does he consider that this is a result of the withdrawal of some glass disposal bins by the Parish of St. Helier?
The Connétable of St. Brelade (The Minister for Transport and Technical
Services):
There is currently no empirical measurement of levels of glass mixed in with Parish refuse deliveries. The staff team in the energy from waste tipping hall do regularly report that quantities of glass can be heard in loads tipped and we continue our efforts to raise awareness to the importance of the segregation of glass and other recyclables. Perhaps a more tangible measure of any fluctuations is glass arriving for recycling which is measured in detail for each Parish. Figures for total glass delivered to the La Collette aggregates recycling facility have risen steadily for the last 4 years. In 2007 it was 7,719 tonnes and in 2008 it was 8,490 tonnes. Looking specifically at the Parish of St. Helier the service collected an average of 107 tonnes per month in 2007 and 114 tonnes per month last year. The monthly average so far this year is 109 tonnes, not showing any significant difference. There is therefore no evidence based on the statistics available that a change in the collection system has had an impact on the quality of glass collected. However, I have spoken to the Connétable of St. Helier on this matter and I am advised that the Housing Officer from the Deputy 's department has agreed to look at providing a glass bin for the residents at Convent Court as well as screening for a Eurobin store in the new low rise premises. In fact, they have agreed to put a bottle bank and 2 x 1,100 litre Eurobins on the site and they
will assess the low rise for a couple of weeks after the removal of Val Plaisant so
really I think it is partly in the hands of the Deputy 's own department to help on this and certainly my department in conjunction with the Parish of St. Helier will do all we can to ensure that as much recycling is done as possible.
The Bailiff :
Deputy , do you wish to follow up?
- Deputy S. Power:
Just one supplementary; the reason I asked the question is that every month for the
last 4 months at the Age Concern Clinic at Windsor House some elderly residents of
St. Helier have come to me saying that they have issues with the disposal of glass waste and it has not been made easy by the withdrawal of the glass bins. The department is working with the Constable of St. Helier and T.T.S. (Transport and Technical Services) but it appears to be a widespread problem more than Convent Court and would the Minister be prepared to work with the Department and with the Constable to alleviate this problem with the elderly? Thank you.
The Connétable of St. Brelade : As always.
- Deputy D.J. De Sousa:
Can the Minister inform the House as to whether he will get together with all the necessary departments involved, as I was contacted over the weekend by concerned residents living in the low rise area of Convent Court about the possibility of having a large number of bins at the back area of where they are living?
The Connétable of St. Brelade :
Once again, I would be pleased to co-operate with all parties.
- The Connétable of St. Helier :
I note the questioner added to his question when he read it, because it is misleading, he refers in his question to the withdrawal of glass disposal bins by the Parish of St. Helier and he inserted the word "some" and I am pleased that he has corrected that. Would he acknowledge that he has had nothing but quick reactions from my staff and they have done everything possible to alleviate this particular problem and there is every reason to hope that a similar approach will be faced in other areas?
Deputy S. Power: Yes.