FEARS that the new kerbside glass collections, due to be introduced at the end of the year, could attract yobs and could spell the end of bottle banks, were expressed during a public meeting this week. Local residents and East Hampshire district councillors had the chance to grill a council environmental expert on the changes, which have been agreed, but have yet to be finalised. Martyn Cole, EHDC's environmental services manager (contracts), gave a presentation at the community forum (Alton and surrounding villages) on Tuesday evening, to raise awareness of the impending scheme, and set out details of how the system will operate Although this was generally well received, a number of issues were raised. A Holybourne resident suggested that the bottles, which have to be left out on the kerb ready for collection, would become "ammunition on street corners for vandals". Brian Dickinson, district councillor for Binsted and Bentley, complained that the boxes of bottles sitting on pavements, would be "a bloody eyesore". "I just don't want to see the main road in Bentley cluttered up with boxes of bottles. I don't feel pleased with this proposal at all," he said. Duncan Forrester, a Froyle parish councillor, raised his concern that the monthly collections would be difficult to remember. "I know I'm going to forget to put my glass out on a monthly basis," he said. There were also lingering concerns about the use of plastic boxes instead of bins, the need for the boxes to be stackable, and the difficulties elderly people could have lifting them. Designated by the government as one of only 10 beacon councils in the country because of its recycling credentials, EHDC is on a mission to increase its current 34 per cent recycling rate to 40 per cent by 2010. With alternate weekly collections already established, a chargeable garden waste service and glass and textile banks, Mr Cole said: "East Hampshire is a leading authority on waste and recycling. This service will make your life a little easier, and I genuinely believe this is going to be a real success." Negotiations are continuing with contractors Veolia over costs, the starting date and where the new scheme will begin, but Mr Cole said the council wants the service running by Christmas, or just after. Collecting glass directly from homes will, it's hoped, capture the estimated 900 tonnes which currently don't find their way to bottle banks. It's thought householders, who may be immobile or have very few bottles to recycle, put these "lost" bottles into their normal household rubbish bins. Although a drop-off in the use of bottle banks is expected initially, from talks with other local authorities, it's expected the reduction in their use will be short-lived. As the scheme gets off the ground, every household will receive a free plastic box - more than one if requested. Residents can opt out of the scheme simply by not using the boxes, said Mr. Cole, although he hoped there would be a substantial take-up rate. Purchased for £1.50 each by EHDC, they will hold mixed glass of all shapes and colours, wine and beer bottles and all types of jars, but not plate glass, drinking glasses, Pyrex or light bulbs. Residents will be asked to leave the boxes out for collection as they do their wheelie bins. Collected glass will go to Southampton Docks for sorting. Much of it will be exported to South America for recycling. The key to any new scheme, said Mr Cole, is concise and precise information being given to the public. There are plans to publicise the service using postcards through letter boxes, in EHDC's Partners magazine, on the council website and in the local press. Information packs will accompany the boxes and follow- up letters giving a progress report and "pricking consciences" of those not using the service properly, are also planned. Mr Cole said boxes will be collected on the same day as other collections, but to minimise confusion, calendars outlining collection dates will be distributed. Concern that vandals would use bottles as ammunition, was "very much a perceived issue", he said, and having taken advice from other councils already using kerbside collections, he believed it would not be major problem. Even so, the collection lorries will have brooms to sweep up any broken glass. "We are conscious of this, but genuinely don't believe it is going to be an issue," he said. As for concern that inconsistencies or delays in collections could mean bottles being out on the kerbside for longer than people may wish, he pointed out that the operators would have a third vehicle ready for use. However he added: "You can never discount that there could be a problem." Allan Chick, who represents Alton (Whitedown), had recently visited Lincoln. He said the local authority there had opted for easily moved blue bins for bottles and plastics, but Mr Cole said that although boxes may be tricky for some to lift, there is an assisted collection service available through EHDC. Boxes were chosen because bins take up more room. Asked if he had considered chips in the bins to assess the amount of rubbish inside, Mr Cole said that sort of development would be "quite provocative". "I'd like to think there is a lot more education to do before we get the big stick out to measure how much people are putting out, above and beyond the norm." If the district wants to improve its recycling statistics, there had to be some compromise. While nobody could pretend that the boxes were pretty, he said: "They become part of the urban scene. It's a small price to pay for dealing with the waste." Maurice Johnson, district councillor for Four Marks and Medstead, agreed. "The point about recycling, is that it prevents it all going into landfill. Even if we just prevent that, we will be making a considerable contribution to the environment." And Ropley and Tisted's councillor, Chris Graham, added: "The benefits outweigh the negatives."
