Commitment to waste reduction is missing

Today's Advertiser has a piece (online version here) that ultimately exposes this Tory council's lack of comprehension on effective waste policy and non existent green credentials. Here was a chance to placate those worried about nappies left in bins [something Croydon Labour are hammering for maximum political gain], support a cash strapped voluntary organsiation and reduce this borough's landfill tax bill.

An interesting observation from Grace@CRNN: Many parents who have recently emigrated from developing countries would ordinarily choose reusable nappies back home, however disposable nappies are seen as an advancement.

We live incredibly busy lives BUT with incentives, support and promotion a lot more parents of new born children would give real nappies a go.

FULL PRESS RELEASE below:

GREEN PARTY CALLS ON THE COUNCIL TO PROVE ITS COMMITMENT TO WASTE REDUCTION

The Croydon Green Party, in continuing to welcome the changes to waste collection, today urges the council to go further still.

Bernice Golberg said, “We are aware of concerns amongst some of the borough's residents, one of which is the issue of lingering smells from disposable nappies in wheelie bins.

“The council should now offer far greater support to Croydon Real Nappy Network (CRNN) because the Conservatives stand accused of breaking an election promise, rolling out food collections to justify a reduced service rather than a genuine attempt to reduce landfill, and paying little thought to potential health hazards.

“CRNN do excellent work in promoting the use of washable nappies as opposed to disposable ones, thus making a saving to the pocket and the environment.

“For years, the two volunteers behind the project have been operating on meagre funding and there are fears CRNN will have to shut down. Given the council is making a £600,000 saving through fortnightly bin collections, Croydon Green Party calls upon the council to back the project, promote real nappies over disposable ones, and prove its commitment to waste reduction.”

Croydon Green Party supports a zero waste strategy, where the amount of waste sent to landfill is slashed in favour of a reduce, reuse, recycle and compost structure. Fortnightly bin collections and weekly food waste collection, planned for October, are two stops on the road towards this goal.

Bernice Golberg continued, “Currently CRNN offer an introductory voucher of £30 (1) in Croydon. On average 15 new users take up this offer every month. This number is low given that the number of births per month is around 400 in Croydon.

“Other London boroughs, such as Islington, offer a voucher valued at £54. Croydon Council should target a minimum of 150 users per month, a tenfold increase, and fund the project accordingly (2). At just 15 users per month, CRNN estimate that they already save 33,000 nappies from ending up in landfill per year (3).

Ends

Notes:

(1) If you live in the London Borough of Croydon and you are expecting a baby or have one or more children in nappies, you could be entitled to claim a voucher towards the cost of your purchase of real nappies up to the value of £30.

(2) The level of funding should be sufficient to allow for significant promotional and marketing campaign and to allow for administrative costs.

(3) 15 children x 6 nappies per day = 90. 90 x 365 days per year = 32,850 nappies

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Tags croydon, greenparty