Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Trying to request a small wheelie bin for recycling
Following the flyers informing us of the new waste collection regime, I wrote to Veolia requesting a small recycling wheelie bin, rather than the mammoth 240L ones. I've just received this reply:
Thank you for your enquiry regarding your preference for a 120 litre recycling wheelie bin. We fully appreciate that residents have differing requirements and are more than happy to accommodate such requirements subject to completing a home visit to ensure that we can rule out the possibility of a 240 litre wheelie bin.
I can confirm that I have now booked a general enquiry and a site visit will be carried out in due course. Can you kindly email us your telephone number so that we can arrange a visit for you please? [emphasis mine]
Why on earth should it matter how big my front yard is? I recycle what I can, I don't generate much waste, and so a 120L bin is plenty big enough, so why should someone have to come round to my house to tell me that my garden is big enough for a large bin therefore that's what I should have? Why do I need arrange to be in for someone to take a look?
I've responded to say something similar and I'll feed back here when I get a response. Has anyone else tried this yet?
Tags for Forum Posts: fortnightly waste collections, new recycling bins, rubbish, veolia, waste collection
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Lucy Fielding on
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Well, I'm not sure what's happened but I called Veoila again as I was worried about big bins arriving on Monday and they could not have been more helpful, friendly and nice and were able to grant my request not to have another 240 litre bin.
I am so relieved. Thank you Veoila.
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Permalink Reply by Alison P on
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But were they able to sort this out for you straight away Lucy? I was told that it was too late to change from the 240 default and that I'd need to wait a few weeks before the smaller bin arrives.
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Hi Alison, I'd contacted them some time ago so this was a follow-up call - so maybe someone did come round and view my site? Or maybe they could tell by the amount of rubbish I have? Or maybe the default list has now gone out to the bin delivery people? Hope you get your smaller one soon Alison - it was a really worry to me so I empathise with you.
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Permalink Reply by Liz on
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I've just phoned again as well and was told the same as you, Alison (although I put my request in a few weeks ago). However, I have a ref no and an assurance that the bin will be swapped for a smaller one. The person I spoke to on the phone was most helpful and friendly.
Guess I'll have to put up with large one for a week or two. I'm wondering if its about ordering the smaller ones in bulk once they have an idea of how many they will need?
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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on
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Delighted to hear this, Lucy.
But it shouldn't be about "granting" anyone's request". Residents should not be, nor be made to feel that we are supplicants. We are actually paying for this service.
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Permalink Reply by DrWhams on
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The problem here has been that the onus has been on residents to defend why they should be given smaller bins, rather than being a matter of merely requesting one. The whole thing about having to arrange an appointment so that someone can come and take a look at your front garden to see if it's big enough is ludicrous. Fortunately it seems that common sense is prevailing in some of these cases, but it still feels that you have to justify yourself to them.
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Thank you Alan. I am very relieved.
I think the "site visit for approval" wording inflamed an otherwise straight-forward and possibly even welcome opportunity to do more for the environment. Most people I know want to do their bit. "Let's all recycle together" has more of a true ring to it now for me! lol
Okay, I'm off to wash out me jam jars.
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No one expects the Spanish Binquisition!
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hahaha
Nice one Alan. Have a good weekend.
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Permalink Reply by Tessa on
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Oh the saga continues....
I rang Veolia on Tuesday to request a 120 litre recycling bin rather than the default 240 litre bin and was asked how many people lived in our house.... and of course when I said 2 adults and 2 young children the answer was no you may not have a smaller bin - due to a Council decision according to number of people, blah blah.
Obviously I said I thought this was unreasonable, we make a lot of effort to buy stuff that isn't in unecessary packaging so that it doesn't come into the house in the first place and it feels like we're being penalised for our efforts by having to have a larger bin. I also explained that I like to be able to get my bicycle in and out so that I can ride it, and that actually I would like a smaller bin for general rubbish as well, given that we produce about half a black bag of rubbish per week, and the bin men never move our wheelie bin because there is so little in it.
No, even after consulting with the manager I could not have a smaller bin. I asked for the address for complaints and said my good-bye.
But I then checked back to the information leaflet we had delivered which clearly states "If a smaller bin works better for you, please let us know," and looked at this thread, to find that lo and behold some people ARE going to get smaller bins, even if there are more than 1 or 2 people in a house.
So Tuesday night I emailed Veolia, copying in Nilgun Canver and our 3 Harringay Councillors. Nilgun replied very quickly, copying in someone else in the Council and hey presto yesterday yet another Council person phoned me to say I could have a smaller recycling bin after all. I asked again for a smaller rubbish bin but was asked to wait until the roll out of the new service had settled and then phone in July. So that I will do.
Honestly, what a waste of time.... Thanks to Nilgun for such a quick response but I'm sure she has better things to do with her time. I most definately do.
But if you want a smaller bin you CAN get one....
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By chance I spotted the Council this afternoon. It was lying in the sunshine near the Civic Centre, making a chomping noise. As I got nearer I realised it was eating a car with an expired parking permit.
I've always found it an approachable, friendly sort of Council. Well-intentioned. If sometimes old-fashioned and a bit slow on the uptake. Anyway I gave it a prod and the Council winked. "Nice day", it said with a yawn.
"How are you?" I asked. "Oh, mustn't grumble", said the Council. "Though since the cuts I've lost an awful lot of weight."
"Yes, I can see." I answered. "But I wanted to ask about your policy. That certain size families have to use certain size bins."
The Council looked shocked. "Look, I'm no good at all that detail. My job is big picture."
It pulled a box of reports from under its left paw and swallowed them. I thought our chat was over. But the Council went on. "I'm here to say vaguely upbeat things. 'Going forward' . . . ''We're on a journey' . . . 'Not where we want to be'. Meaningless stuff like that. Do you really think I'm interested in the detail of bins?"
"So who made the decision", I asked.
The Council twitched its nose and gave a sort of shrug. "Dunno", it said. "Speak to Nilgun, she'll sort it out."
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Despite my email to Veolia (and reply) requesting sacks instead of a green bin, guess what? A wheeliebin was delivered yesterday and is blocking access to my basement steps. I just rang them (only 2 mins of waiting musak) and they are now saying they will collect the offending bin and leave green sacks within a week. We shall see. . . Some neighbours have managed to avoid having them delivered because they were in and simply refused to have them.(even families of 4). So it can be done.
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