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2.18 Deputy M. Tadier of the Minister for Transport and Technical Services regarding the Island-wide kerbside collection of recyclables:
Will the Minister advise what plans, if any, he has to introduce kerbside collection for recyclables on an Island-wide basis?
The Connétable of St. Brelade (The Minister for Transport and Technical
Services):
T.T.S. (Transport and Technical Services) has no plans to introduce kerbside collection for recyclables on an Island-wide basis as this is undertaken by the Parishes and paid for by the ratepayers.
Deputy M. Tadier :
On 15th March 2010 - so over a year ago - the Minister, when asked a similar question, said that in St. Brelade, with regard to the development of kerbside recycling collection, the issue was being discussed. He also stated that other Parishes, he was in no doubt, would be equally enthusiastic to develop such schemes by the end of the year. Could the Minister give feedback on the progress that has happened in St. Brelade in the last year and a half and also which other Parishes are moving towards a recycling scheme of kerbside collection?
The Connétable of St. Brelade :
While it is clearly a matter for Parish Assemblies to approve additional expenditure where it is needed to put kerbside collections in place, I can confirm that a proposal will be put to the St. Brelade Parish Assembly when it takes place in July.
The Deputy Bailiff :
Minister, you are answering questions as Minister and not as the Connétable of St. Brelade .
The Connétable of St. Brelade :
Indeed, I am trying to answer the Deputy as best I can. In overall terms, I cannot answer for other Parishes at the moment, but I would say that the T.T.S. have the funding from the V.E.D. (Vehicle Emissions Duty) charge which the States agreed to earlier on this year and that will be applied specifically to the cost of recycling.
- Connétable P.F.M. Hanning of St. Saviour :
The Minister has said that it is for the Parishes to do the kerbside collecting. Given that twice in the last 3 years I have been told that, due to a lack of funds, T.T.S. could not guarantee to be able to afford to recycle what we collect at the kerb, can the Minister give a long-term guarantee that what we collect - at considerable extra cost - will not end up in the incinerator as, in view of the C.S.R. cuts, I am reluctant to ask my Parish to spend extra money if it means it is a gamble on market values of the materials. Can he give a long term guarantee?
[11:45]
The Connétable of St. Brelade :
That is dependent on funding allocated to the department by this Assembly. In practice we applied for the V.E.D. charge to be applied to recyclables and this was not being done, I think it is absolutely imperative that what we say we recycle is recycled and that is the case. I would not put myself in the position to collect for recycling and then have it be put in the incinerator. I think that would be totally inappropriate.
- Senator J.L. Perchard:
I have an interest in this question, particularly with regards to aluminium drinks cans. Will the Minister confirm that all aluminium drinks cans that are loaded - and there are many millions of them per annum - into the incinerator are melted down and not recoverable in any way?
The Connétable of St. Brelade :
In terms of aluminium, they are not; whereas steel tins are taken out by magnets after the process.
- Deputy M. Tadier :
Will the Minister confirm whether, in his educated opinion, he thinks that up to 12 different recycling schemes operating throughout the Island in the 12 Parishes would be more cost effective than one kerbside collection scheme operating throughout the Island; whether that be organised by T.T.S. or in collaboration with all of the 12 Parish Constables?
The Connétable of St. Brelade :
My opinion is that the Parish system works remarkably well and if is not broke I suggest we do not fix it.
Deputy M. Tadier :
With respect, that was not the question I asked. It related to cost not whether the Parish system, in some nebulous fashion, works well or not.
The Deputy Bailiff :
I think he answered no. The Deputy of St. Martin has a question of the Chief Minister.