Mayor of London Ken Livingstone has issued a statement setting out his opposition to ‘alternate weekly’ refuse collections.
The move comes as Tony Blair told GMTV there must be “better ways” for the councils to boost recycling.
The Mayor’s statement reads:
“Harrow Council is the only council to date in London to have introduced alternate weekly collections. I am concerned that other boroughs will soon follow Harrow’s lead, despite the fact no research has been done as to its success in London.”
“I am not convinced that the research carried out in rural areas applies to the high rise, high-density buildings in some London boroughs. Some Harrow Councillors have raised concerns with my office that this policy has led to confusion with the public as to which days they could recycle.”
“My suspicion is that alternate weekly collections are more about cutting costs than improving recycling rates. I am concerned that the boroughs are not looking for easier ways to increase recycling in the capital. It is clear that the boroughs are introducing this without understanding the effects on environmental hygiene and the rodent population and the real test will come as we experience a long hot summer.”
