It is very encouraging to see that with food waste recycling now in full swing in the borough, over 45% of household waste is now being recycled.

This is great progress in a few short years and everyone involved, from the Council to the individuals who fill their recycling boxes each week, should be congratulated. However the momentum must be maintained as approximately 95% of household waste is reported to be recyclable (Costing the Earth, Radio 4, 20th Feb.).

How can we hope to aim for this target if a good portion of our recyclable waste will end up in the proposed incinerator in Beddington? If 45% is currently being recycled, that means that 55% is not, some of which will undoubtedly contain recyclable materials. Waste heading for the incinerator will not be sorted so many items that could be recycled will go up in smoke, or end up in the pile of fly or bottom ash residue (which is very likely to be toxic).

Any item that is recycled means that it can be used again in some way and this serves the dual purpose of keeping it out of landfill/incineration as well as reducing the amount of natural resources that need to be used.  Our Council has pledged to keep increasing recycling rates in the borough. Surely, if our focus really is on recycling, there will be no need for an incinerator?

Grace
Croydon Friends of the Earth