Page 10 - link magazine

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Making recycling a simple thing to do
After a cautious start over the last few years, Swindon Council is about to make huge changes in the way waste is collected across the town
- and it involves everybody cooperating to make the new system work effectively. If the community responds, Swindon will have one of the
best recycling and waste collection services in Britain.
In late June and early July information leaflets will be distributed Cabinet lead member David Wren said all political parties backed the
explaining the new systems being introduced over the next eight moves which have a lot of public support. “We’ve studied what other
months which include: councils have being doing. We’ve come up with a plan which is simple
• distributing additional orange recycling boxes to every house (flats to understand, which the majority will buy into and will significantly
will be included next year) - apart from West Swindon which already increase the amount of recycling across the borough.”
has weekly recycling and fortnightly wheelie bin collections; Council refuse officers have surveyed every street for suitability to
• from 23 July, weekly kerbside collections of glass bottles and jars, use recycling boxes and wheelie bins and a team of waste ambassadors
paper, card, food tins, drink cans, textiles and aerosols; will work in each area as the boxes are delivered to help people
• in July, fortnightly collection of plastic bottles in special sacks costing understand how they can recycle more.
20p from council outlets (4 free bags will be delivered with the recycling They will also be supporting the introduction of wheelie bins from
box); September so that people learn how to put less into them.
• fortnightly free collection of garden waste; For details see the information to be distributed with recycling boxes,
• the delivery of wheelie bins for non-recyclables to all houses in call 445501 or see www.swindon.gov.uk
September for the start of fortnighly collections; The message is on the box. George Walker, head of waste management, left, with Bill
• introduction of a new recycling and wheelie bin hotline: 445501. Fisher, director of Swindon Commercial Services with some of the 70,000 recycling
boxes ready to be distributed and one of the 11 bright yellow collecting vehicles
Could you be a champion? which are becoming a familiar site on Swindon’s streets
The Swindon Council recycling team is looking for innovative ways
to spread their message and would like to hear from volunteers will-
ing to be local recycling champions to:
• encourage neighbours and friends to recycle as much as possible;
• join council focus groups to give feedback on the new recycling schemes
and materials used to promote them;
• help promote new recycling schemes;
• help out at recycling events;
• get work colleagues or places of worship to adopt recycling and re-use
schemes.
There are plans for: quarterly meetings with recycling champions; trips
and workshops to increase knowledge on waste and recycling, so informa-
tion can be passed on; junk swap, education and event days at a neigh-
bourhood level.
If you’re a champion, contact Swindon Commercial Services to express
your interest on 445501 or mail: [email protected]

Getting to grips with graffiti

Council offers free cleaning service and £100 reward
Armed with a second recently delivered graffiti cleaning machine,
Swindon Council is taking the battle to the taggers, but needs more
front line troops to report graffiti as soon as it appears.
Coun Keith Williams said that
some people are resigned to hav-
See the carpet or floor ing their homes daubed with paint
covering of your choice, and much of the time graffiti goes
where it will be laid, next to unreported. “Unfortunately some
homeowners are happy to have
your other furnishings. tags on their property. There seems
Appointments to suit you: day, to be a degree of acceptance, yet
evening or weekend. the council will get rid of it from
Home Choose Carpets private property free of charge.
The important thing is to report
has over 30 year’s experience
new tags on houses, fences or street
of serving customers in the
furniture as soon as possible.”
Swindon area.
The high powered machines will
Estimating is free. Luxury remove graffiti from all surfaces.
underlay, all accessories and Whilst the operatives have experi- ticed a difference in his Shaw &
installation are included in the ence to prevent damage, property Nine Elms neighbourhood. “I think
price! There are no hidden owners have to sign a disclaimer. people are appreciating that the
The high pressure spray will re-
graffiti is being tackled, but we all
extras - and no obligation.
move timber stain or paint from a need to react more quickly so that
building but, if householders can the vandals don’t get away with
Call Trevor Salter on provide a pot to match, the graffiti their damage.”
01793 812995 removers are happy to retouch the The council is targeting taggers
surface. with prosecutions and residents
or 07860 882588 Call 463463 to arrange for the are encouraged to contact Crime-
or email: graffiti squad to remove it. stoppers on 555 1111 or the Swin-
[email protected] In the March Link, coun Williams don Graffiti Hotline on 463463 with
www.carpetsswindon.co.uk called on residents to take respon- information.
sibility and not expect someone There is a £100 reward if a con-
else to make the call. He has no- viction is made.

1 July 07 10 15/6/07, 1:16 pm