Sir,
In a recent conversation with a member of MCC's Recycling Team I was informed that glass is not converted into road aggregate as previously reported but turned back into glass.
However, cardboard is still composted instead of being recycled. Apparently they believe shredded paper clogs the machinery at the paper mill, hence why it is diverted to compost. So when we were putting shredded paper out with the black box it was not being recycled as we thought.
It seems that their primary objective is to reduce the tonnage going to landfill rather than to increase energy conservation. Whilst it is a laudable aim to reduce landfill taxes and thus avoid raising council tax, the label 'recycling' is a misnomer as MCC are incorrectly using the term for any material that does not go to landfill.
There is clearly a need for a resource balance sheet showing the labour, energy and material consumed/conserved before and after the introduction of the new scheme and as Ms Campbell suggests we might have a long wait. Once again it is a lack of effective communication by MCC that is prolonging this debate but I am advised by the recycling team that they will be posting additional information on their web site early in 2010 - let us hope it answers all our questions!
David Hoyle
(Monmouth)