SIR,
Given the widespread opposition to the co-mingled waste collections that are set to replace the kerbside sorted recycling services throughout Monmouthshire, I was interested to read the letter of support for the new co-mingled scheme from Mr Hoyle in last week's Monmouthshire Beacon.
The failure of Monmouthshire County Council to properly consider the options; or to pay attention to detail; or to communicate clearly the details of the new scheme continues to lead to much confusion and mis-information.
In response to Mr Hoyle's well written and balanced letter, I should point out that MCC did, in selected areas, prove that an extended black box service could successfully collect and recycle plastics, cardboard, and other materials. Importantly, it wasn't necessary to introduce single-use plastic sacks to collect more recyclables - it was only necessary for MCC to widen the scope of the existing kerbside sorted recycling service.
In addition, Mr Hoyle may recall that although textiles, shoes and metal foil were collected via the black box service, such recyclables are no longer being collected under the new co-mingled scheme. And it's shameful that MCC now 'downcycles' shredded paper to compost, and glass to road aggregate.
The key measure of recycling performance must surely be the amount of recyclables that get recycled, not simply (as Mr Hoyle has been advised) "the amount of waste going to landfill". A genuine recycling service inherently diverts waste from going to landfill, while gaining the maximum value from our recyclables.
MCC has failed to understand the meaning of recycling. This has led to the replacement of an excellent recycling service by a mediocre waste collection scheme that results in higher overall costs, and less material being recycled.
Steve Rawlings
(Chepstow)