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email this page to a friendTHE THREAT of court action is looming over a minority of residents in Pendle for not doing their bit to increase recycling rates across the borough.
The local authority says that thousands are separating their waste ready for recycling but is adding there are still a few who, for one reason or another, are not joining in.
If residents are not prepared to cooperate and are affecting the lives of their neighbours then we will take action - and we are now doing just that
John David - Pendle Borough Councillor
Rather than separate their rubbish and divert it away from landfill some homeowners are leaving bags out next to their grey recycling bins, which means that their neighbours are getting fed up of the litter.
Recently, some householders have been sent a warning information letter reminding them of how they should put out their waste and offering additional recycling boxes if necessary. In some instances these letters have been followed up by personal visits from Council staff.
In most cases this has produced a marked improvement, but in 63 cases over the last two weeks, people have continued to abuse the system and have been issued with formal legal notices. If these people don't follow the correct procedure they will be taken to court and risk being fined up to £1,000.
Councillor John David, Executive Member for the Environment, said: "We have been delighted with the large increase in our recycling rate which is now running at about 34%, compared to about 20% last year, and in general the system is working well.
"There are however some small areas where we have problems.
"We will continue to explain the system to people in all areas of Pendle, and we will do all we can to help with any difficulties.
"In the end however, if residents are not prepared to cooperate and are affecting the lives of their neighbours then we will take action - and we are now doing just that.
"The Council is taking the matter very seriously and if residents who have received explanatory letters and notices over the last few weeks do not comply they will be taken to court.
"We will continue this in other problem areas and repeat the process," he warned.
Your views:
In response to questionnaires on the subject of re-cycling, I have stated that I will not willingly participate until I see that there is a firm country-wide move to put an end to excessive packaging. In other words, much of the material which might be recycled should not be produced in the first place.
Also, since one of the materials which is earmarked for re-cycling is paper, I find it unacceptable that by far the greater proportion of the paper which passes through my household is of types which can not be re-cycled. The use of these coated paper types, which in any case are unnecessarily expensive, should be outlawed.
Plastic bottles should also be outlawed; but the glass bottles which they have replaced should not be re-cycled; they should be re-used as they were in the past.
It might be said that even though these points might be valid, nevertheless the re-cycling of domestic waste can get under way immediately and make an impact. I disagree. Wateful manufacturing practices are of much greater importance and there is no evidence of anything being done about it.
And another point to ponder - in my youth, I took old clothes to the local rag shop and RECEIVED MONEY FOR THEM!
Bernard Sunderland - Keighley
