Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Veolia continued
I had a window open and registered that the bin wasn't being moved and went out and was able to stop one of the workers to challenge him. He very kindly came back and we looked in our recycling.
What I learned is that Veolia won't collect your bin if it contains polystyrene, even if it has a big triangular stamp showing it is recyclable and how. Plant pots, also with a recycling stamp, are the 'wrong sort of plastic'.
So our bin got a ticket. The Veolia worker explained that if it happens again, I will be spoken to. And should it happen a third time Veolia will issue a fine.
So, Veolia don't do what they are supposed to (take recycling) and have the power to impose a fine on citizens trying to recycle.
I don't recall be consulted about this, I have not received any information from the council advertising it. And who on earth thinks it is a good idea to give Veolia power to levy fines, when it struggles to perform its basic function. A win-win situation for Veolia.
Islington Council has moved waste and cleaning back in-house. Camden and other councils have sacked Veolia. If anyone from Haringey Council is reading: please can we end the contract with Veolia? Or can we have an explanation of why a consistently bad service is thought to be acceptable to Haringey citizens?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Olympia Harvey on
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Just to play devil's advocate, just because it is possible to recycle plant pots and this particular polystyrene, doesn't mean that our current processing house has the capability to do so. The council and Veolia have been pretty clear about what can and can't be recycled, including stickers for the tops of bins to remind you every time you put stuff in there.
This is the first I've heard of fines though, and agree that it should be made clearer the penalties for not following their guidelines on what to put in the green bin.
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Permalink Reply by Justin Guest on
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Bad luck Johnny. I can empathise, as there are times when I wonder what can and cannot go in. Check the Haringey website for details. http://www.haringey.gov.uk/index/environment_and_transport/refuse-r...
That said, though bad luck for you, I am glad there is starting to be some implementation of their policy. Pity they are being a bit ham fisted and I wonder if they could not have just knocked on your door and asked you to take it out rather than not taking your recycling. Seems a bit OTT.
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Permalink Reply by Julia on
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You're right. In any other workplace/context this would be classified as passive-aggressive and totally discouraged. As ever, appropriate communication is the key to getting things right.
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Permalink Reply by Johnny on
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@Olympia: where's the sene in allowing Veolia to cherry pick what they will and will not recycle? And then give them the power to fine citizens - I don't have faith that Veolia will act in good faith.
And what sense is there in putting recyclable stuff into landfill? There must be issues for Veolia in doing that - by which I mean it will cost it and therefore residents more. I really question do question the quality of service being provided.
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To be (more) certain that someone at the Council will read this it would be best to contact them directly. Try this for recycling issues - https://eforms.secure.haringey.gov.uk/ufs/ufsmain?esessionid=D9939C...
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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on
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I knew about the polystyrene but that's because I'm a councillor and it was explained to us.
It seems to me that Justin Guest makes the key point: this response to Johnny was ham-fisted. There's got to be a better way to tweak the system so Haringey and Veolia don't piss-off residents who are genuinely trying to do their best to follow the rules. Johnny deserved thanks and friendly advice - not uncollected waste and a threat.
(Tottenham Hale ward councillor)
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Alan, thanks - you make my point very well :)
Did you also know about the fining regime?
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@Helen - thanks for the link. Either the list is out of date or someone isn't be straight. Polystyrene can be recycled. The list should say Haringey/Veolia choose not to recycle it.
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I have to say I hesitated saying this originally, but I think I remember polystyrene can be recycled, but only if you take it to the recycling centres, not in our bins??? I did not see word of that in the link I gave when it discussed polystyrene so ignore it to not muddy the waters.
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Johnny, this information is set out on the North London Waste website. They have an A-Z page here which gives advice on their current facilities for recycling. About Polystyrene/foam chips it says:
"You can dispose of polystyrene and foam chips in your general waste bin or take them to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre for recycling. But why not re-use them where possible, for example, for packaging, beanbags or drainage in plant pots."
So yes at the moment it can be recycled by taking it to the Reuse & Recycling Centres. But currently not by adding it to the green recycling bin.
Perhaps before jumping to the conclusion that "someone isn't straight" or putting the blame on Veolia, wouldn't it be fairer to ask for more information from the North London Waste Authority? They invite people to phone them on 020 8489 5730. Or by email: post@nlwa.gov.uk
(Tottenham Hale ward councillor)
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Alan, Haringey website says:
Polystyrene foam
Polystyrene cannot be recycled. Try to choose products which use less polystyrene and packaging materials to reduce your waste.
The polystyrene itself has a BIG stamp that says 'I can be recycled'.
Simple not jumped to conclusion: one of these parties isn't being straight.
You tell me to cross check another website. Why should I? And where is the authority view, and where does it stop? Manufacturers have EU obligations to label correctly and show recycling. Your website reference confirms it. That Haringey/Veolia choose not to recycle polystyrene doesn't mean it isn't recyclable. And looking at the the evidence, Haringey isn't being straight - the info on the Counci website is wrong.
Why patronise? As a Councillor you should help us residents to hold the Council to task.
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I'm not trying to patronise you, Johnny. I took the information from the North London Waste Authority website because NLWA are the organisation which actually recycles waste or commissions its recycling on behalf of seven North London boroughs including Haringey.
But you're right - and thanks for flagging this up - Haringey's website gives the conflicting information that: "Polystyrene cannot be recycled".
One is wrong. Though I'd guess this is more likely to be cockup or muddle, rather than somebody not being straight. But let's agree that the information needs to be consistent and accurate.
----- Original Message -----From: Alan StantonTo: Haringey Environment DepartmentSent: Saturday, July 20, 2013 3:38 PMSubject: Polystyrene /foam chipsA resident has drawn attention to an inconsistency between the Haringey website and the North London Waste Authority website about disposal of polystyrene and foam chips.The NLWA website gives the following information: http://www.wiseuptowaste.org.uk/recycle/materials-a-z"You can dispose of polystyrene and foam chips in your general waste bin ortake them to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre for recycling."However Haringey's website says:"Polystyrene Foam: Polystyrene cannot be recycled. Try to choose products which use less polystyrene and packaging materials to reduce your waste."Plainly one of the two is an error. Could you please tell me which it is? Can you also arrange to have the correct information posted on the relevant website.Thanks for your help
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