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Council hands out garden waste bins to people with no gardens
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| What a waste! Dawn Bennett with the garden waste bin delivered to her flat this week by the council. Below: A whole line of bins left for flats in Gladwyns |
COUNCIL officials have made a wheelie big gaffe, say residents, doling out shiny new garden waste bins to scores of homes... with no gardens!
Basildon Council's new £700,000 scheme to issue green bins to the district's 45,000 homes has been rubbished by critics as "a complete waste of cash".
It came under attack after a residents in flats and maisonettes without gardens took delivery of their bins this week.
In one road alone, Gladwyns, Laindon, the Echo found bins left outside at least ten homes which clearly have no gardens to generate waste.
Gladwyns resident Dawn Bennett, 40 is outraged by the mistake.
"I am going to complain about this," she said. "It's absolutely ridiculous.
"They've given me a wheelie bin for garden waste, but surely they could see when they delivered it I live in a flat.I'm disgusted the council is wasting taxpayers' money like this."
A neighbour, a 60-year-old man who didn't want to be named, added: "This is a complete waste of cash.
"The council is spending hundreds of thousands of pounds giving us these things when hardly anyone needs them.
"Even people with gardens won't have enough waste to fill a wheelie bin regularly.
"You'd think the council would have done some sort of survey beforehand to find out how many homes needed a bin and how many didn't."
The big delivery of green bins - which are to be emptied by the council once a fortnight - started in earnest last week.
The plastic bins are fitted with an electronic chip which identifies them, are strictly for use for twigs, leaves, lawn and flower clippings.
Anyone caught filling the bin with household refuse could land a fine.
Stephen Hillier, councilor responsible for the environment, said he hoped the scheme would boost recycling figures, encourage more residents to compost their garden waste, and end the problem of split rubbish sacks.
He said: "Thousands of tonnes of garden waste is needlessly dumped in landfill sites each year. This is not only harmful to the environment, but threatens to leave local taxpayers out of pocket as landfill charges soar ever higher."
Ray McKay, council spokesman confirmed it had received some complaints from residents in flats about being given a bin.
He said: "We would ask anyone who finds they have a bin they don't need to call our Streetcare team and get it taken away."
The team can be contacted on 01268 294949.
6:18am Saturday 22nd March 2008
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CommentPosted by: Kim Gandy, Rayleigh on 6:27am Sat 22 Mar 08
"The plastic bins are fitted with an electronic chip which identifies them, are strictly for use for twigs, leaves, lawn and flower clippings.
Anyone caught filling the bin with household refuse could land a fine."
Here's the real reason for dishing these out like sweets - they're another money spinner.
Another opportunity to penalise ordinary people and make them pay for the incompetence of councils like Basildon.
And does Basildon intend to fine big businesses for overdoing it on the waste front? Producing too much packaging etc?
Electronic chips indeed. I find this kind of spying on taxpaying householders wholly despicable, crass and quite obscene.
As for delivering these bins to people with no gardens, well, once again, it just shows the utter incompetence of Basildon Council.
But then, is anybody surprised? They couldn't organise their way ut of a paper bag.
"The plastic bins are fitted with an electronic chip which identifies them, are strictly for use for twigs, leaves, lawn and flower clippings.
Anyone caught filling the bin with household refuse could land a fine."
Here's the real reason for dishing these out like sweets - they're another money spinner.
Another opportunity to penalise ordinary people and make them pay for the incompetence of councils like Basildon.
And does Basildon intend to fine big businesses for overdoing it on the waste front? Producing too much packaging etc?
Electronic chips indeed. I find this kind of spying on taxpaying householders wholly despicable, crass and quite obscene.
As for delivering these bins to people with no gardens, well, once again, it just shows the utter incompetence of Basildon Council.
But then, is anybody surprised? They couldn't organise their way ut of a paper bag.
Posted by: Maywood, Langdon Hills on 9:10am Sat 22 Mar 08
Next door neighbour has no number on there door,just the name of the house,so they do not get a bin,? my wife talked to the Council delivery man, the reply "they are not on my list" there is no house number listed,SO NO BIN LEFT".
Next door neighbour has no number on there door,just the name of the house,so they do not get a bin,? my wife talked to the Council delivery man, the reply "they are not on my list" there is no house number listed,SO NO BIN LEFT".
Posted by: Maywood, Langdon Hills on 9:14am Sat 22 Mar 08
Next door neighbour has no number on there door,just the name of the house,so they do not get a bin,? my wife talked to the Council delivery man, the reply "they are not on my list" there is no house number listed,SO NO BIN LEFT".
Next door neighbour has no number on there door,just the name of the house,so they do not get a bin,? my wife talked to the Council delivery man, the reply "they are not on my list" there is no house number listed,SO NO BIN LEFT".
Posted by: Bazza505, Wickford on 11:16am Sat 22 Mar 08
If you look very carefully at the bottom right of that picture - isn't that a garden there?
If you look very carefully at the bottom right of that picture - isn't that a garden there?
Posted by: Bill, Hadleigh on 11:51am Sat 22 Mar 08
In Hadleigh my mate gets green sacks and he lives in a flat.
In Hadleigh my mate gets green sacks and he lives in a flat.
Posted by: devil's advocate, boozeildon on 12:23pm Sat 22 Mar 08
Hold on, this is a total reversal of council policy. They have given us some green space instead of using it for flats.
(Although, they have in fact completely missed my street) No,wait another minute, How many immigrant families can fit in a green box? have you checked inside yours?
Hold on, this is a total reversal of council policy. They have given us some green space instead of using it for flats.
(Although, they have in fact completely missed my street) No,wait another minute, How many immigrant families can fit in a green box? have you checked inside yours?
Posted by: Cllr. Steve Horgan, Noak Bridge on 1:59pm Sat 22 Mar 08
'Here's the real reason for dishing these out like sweets - they're another money spinner'
Nonsense. Fines are the absolute last resort and no-one expects them to add up to any significant income for the Council. The point is to get people to recycle, which is a good thing in itself, and which the Council needs to do in order to meet its regulatory obligations.
'Here's the real reason for dishing these out like sweets - they're another money spinner'
Nonsense. Fines are the absolute last resort and no-one expects them to add up to any significant income for the Council. The point is to get people to recycle, which is a good thing in itself, and which the Council needs to do in order to meet its regulatory obligations.
Posted by: basildon-man, basildon on 2:04pm Sat 22 Mar 08
Yeah i live in a flat and the council gave as all garden waste bins. seems a waste of OUR money.
oh well our council tax will go up for this now lol
Yeah i live in a flat and the council gave as all garden waste bins. seems a waste of OUR money.
oh well our council tax will go up for this now lol
Posted by: ShipShape, Basildonk on 2:31pm Sat 22 Mar 08
Cllr Horgan, a quick question, in many other areas where these bins have been used, there's been a lot of thefts and fires involving the bins.
I can't get my bin through the house to the front, so it'll have to stay out front.
What will happen if it dissapears? Will I have to pay for it's replacement?
Cllr Horgan, a quick question, in many other areas where these bins have been used, there's been a lot of thefts and fires involving the bins.
I can't get my bin through the house to the front, so it'll have to stay out front.
What will happen if it dissapears? Will I have to pay for it's replacement?
Posted by: Jan, Basildon on 2:48pm Sat 22 Mar 08
I DO have a garden and have been eagerly awaiting my garden waste wheelie bin since January when Basildon Council originally said they would deliver them, but no sign of it yet!!! Are they being delivered individually by carrier pigeon?
Shame on those who continue to vote in these Tory incompetents to run Basildon Council.
I DO have a garden and have been eagerly awaiting my garden waste wheelie bin since January when Basildon Council originally said they would deliver them, but no sign of it yet!!! Are they being delivered individually by carrier pigeon?
Shame on those who continue to vote in these Tory incompetents to run Basildon Council.
Posted by: roy, billericay on 4:24pm Sat 22 Mar 08
this week in areas of billericay the same thing happened : no warning just bins everywhere : all delivered (from Cornwall?) all neatly delivered and the bin was photographed with its bar code label outside the front door & house number - like everyhere it seems - no regards to having flats and no garden etc: some attempts to collect them by BDC ( a few at a time as the little van was too small?) now those not wanted just lying on the grass verges.
this week in areas of billericay the same thing happened : no warning just bins everywhere : all delivered (from Cornwall?) all neatly delivered and the bin was photographed with its bar code label outside the front door & house number - like everyhere it seems - no regards to having flats and no garden etc: some attempts to collect them by BDC ( a few at a time as the little van was too small?) now those not wanted just lying on the grass verges.
Posted by: Beatrice, Bas vegas on 7:59pm Sat 22 Mar 08
What do folk do if they have no alleyway to take their wheelie bins into their gardens?
OK leave them outside of the house, but then it blocks the front door for fire access.
The other problem is they could be stolen or misused by neighbours for dumping their domestic refuse thus causing fines for the people whom have been issued with them.
Another thing to worry about having to get a chain to attach the bin to the wall to stop would be thieves stealing them on top of all the other recycling issues!
We have a low maintenance garden with no grass areas or trees, shrubs etc and we really don't need it.
If we have any garden refuse it is likely to be potted plants or fresh flowers that have died off.
Seems to be a total waste of the tax payers money once again where important things like kerb replacements and parking areas are neglected due to lack of funding!
What do folk do if they have no alleyway to take their wheelie bins into their gardens?
OK leave them outside of the house, but then it blocks the front door for fire access.
The other problem is they could be stolen or misused by neighbours for dumping their domestic refuse thus causing fines for the people whom have been issued with them.
Another thing to worry about having to get a chain to attach the bin to the wall to stop would be thieves stealing them on top of all the other recycling issues!
We have a low maintenance garden with no grass areas or trees, shrubs etc and we really don't need it.
If we have any garden refuse it is likely to be potted plants or fresh flowers that have died off.
Seems to be a total waste of the tax payers money once again where important things like kerb replacements and parking areas are neglected due to lack of funding!
Posted by: tommy, trees on 8:23pm Sat 22 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Kim Gandy[/bold] wrote:
"The plastic bins are fitted with an electronic chip which identifies them, are strictly for use for twigs, leaves, lawn and flower clippings. Anyone caught filling the bin with household refuse could land a fine." Here's the real reason for dishing these out like sweets - they're another money spinner. Another opportunity to penalise ordinary people and make them pay for the incompetence of councils like Basildon. And does Basildon intend to fine big businesses for overdoing it on the waste front? Producing too much packaging etc? Electronic chips indeed. I find this kind of spying on taxpaying householders wholly despicable, crass and quite obscene. As for delivering these bins to people with no gardens, well, once again, it just shows the utter incompetence of Basildon Council. But then, is anybody surprised? They couldn't organise their way ut of a paper bag. [/quote] Always such negative vibes. Why not propose something for a change?
How about communal bins? Instead of every home having a bin, why not make it 1 bin between 2 or 3 homes?
If attitudes about how we dispose of waste are to be changed the lead needs to be taken by the council. It's a new scheme and of course mistakes will be made. But give it a chance.
Kim Gandy wrote:
"The plastic bins are fitted with an electronic chip which identifies them, are strictly for use for twigs, leaves, lawn and flower clippings. Anyone caught filling the bin with household refuse could land a fine." Here's the real reason for dishing these out like sweets - they're another money spinner. Another opportunity to penalise ordinary people and make them pay for the incompetence of councils like Basildon. And does Basildon intend to fine big businesses for overdoing it on the waste front? Producing too much packaging etc? Electronic chips indeed. I find this kind of spying on taxpaying householders wholly despicable, crass and quite obscene. As for delivering these bins to people with no gardens, well, once again, it just shows the utter incompetence of Basildon Council. But then, is anybody surprised? They couldn't organise their way ut of a paper bag.
Always such negative vibes. Why not propose something for a change?
How about communal bins? Instead of every home having a bin, why not make it 1 bin between 2 or 3 homes?
If attitudes about how we dispose of waste are to be changed the lead needs to be taken by the council. It's a new scheme and of course mistakes will be made. But give it a chance.
Posted by: June, Basildon on 6:45am Sun 23 Mar 08
Send all the bins back to the melting pot and organise a facility where recycling bins can be placed in council car parks to deposit waste garden material and collection of same made on a regular basis - how novel is that?
Send all the bins back to the melting pot and organise a facility where recycling bins can be placed in council car parks to deposit waste garden material and collection of same made on a regular basis - how novel is that?
Posted by: the undertaker, crays hill on 10:22am Sun 23 Mar 08
Absolute waste of money,I phoned the council to come and take mine back.
How long before these bins start appearing on ebay....!
Absolute waste of money,I phoned the council to come and take mine back.
How long before these bins start appearing on ebay....!
Posted by: The Truth Seeker, Seeking Truth Everywhere on 10:42am Sun 23 Mar 08
WTF - listen to you whingers.
The bins were distributed by the company that runs the bin service.
They have a list of homes in the Borough.
If you don't need them phone and ask to take them back.
Landfill sites are closing down.
Where do you think your waste is going to go in the future?
At least 90% of your household waste could be recycled or composted.
Stop whinging and start recycling!
WTF - listen to you whingers.
The bins were distributed by the company that runs the bin service.
They have a list of homes in the Borough.
If you don't need them phone and ask to take them back.
Landfill sites are closing down.
Where do you think your waste is going to go in the future?
At least 90% of your household waste could be recycled or composted.
Stop whinging and start recycling!
Posted by: ShipShape, Basildonk on 11:32am Sun 23 Mar 08
Wow, I hope you've watered that high-horse you rode in on.
Wow, I hope you've watered that high-horse you rode in on.
Posted by: Paul Myleg, laindon on 10:27pm Sun 23 Mar 08
[bold]I used to live in London and we used to have fun with these bins. We would get loads of cans,nappies and food waste and sneak it into other peoples bins. You should see their faces when they start getting threatning letters from the council. You've gotta laugh really.
Another funny thing to do it tie some thin rope to the bin and then the other end to a cars rear towing hook. Then see how far the car goes before realising what is going on. And you all think these bins a useless....Sado's![/bold]
I used to live in London and we used to have fun with these bins. We would get loads of cans,nappies and food waste and sneak it into other peoples bins. You should see their faces when they start getting threatning letters from the council. You've gotta laugh really.
Another funny thing to do it tie some thin rope to the bin and then the other end to a cars rear towing hook. Then see how far the car goes before realising what is going on. And you all think these bins a useless....Sado's! Posted by: the undertaker, crays hill on 10:32pm Sun 23 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Paul Myleg[/bold] wrote:
[bold]I used to live in London and we used to have fun with these bins. We would get loads of cans,nappies and food waste and sneak it into other peoples bins. You should see their faces when they start getting threatning letters from the council. You've gotta laugh really. Another funny thing to do it tie some thin rope to the bin and then the other end to a cars rear towing hook. Then see how far the car goes before realising what is going on. And you all think these bins a useless....Sado's![/bold] [/quote] What an intersting life you have led, im so jealous.
Normal civilised people put their rubbish in them, is that where you come in.....!
Paul Myleg wrote:
I used to live in London and we used to have fun with these bins. We would get loads of cans,nappies and food waste and sneak it into other peoples bins. You should see their faces when they start getting threatning letters from the council. You've gotta laugh really. Another funny thing to do it tie some thin rope to the bin and then the other end to a cars rear towing hook. Then see how far the car goes before realising what is going on. And you all think these bins a useless....Sado's!
What an intersting life you have led, im so jealous.
Normal civilised people put their rubbish in them, is that where you come in.....!
Posted by: knobby, billericay on 11:04pm Sun 23 Mar 08
I still want to know how having a plastic bin, that I don't want, will encourage me to compost.
Explanation please, Mr Hillier.
PS: I never had a problem with a split sack!
I still want to know how having a plastic bin, that I don't want, will encourage me to compost.
Explanation please, Mr Hillier.
PS: I never had a problem with a split sack!
Posted by: sue, basildon on 9:44am Mon 24 Mar 08
We had our bin delivered on Good Friday and then we have got up this morning only to find another One on our doorstep
We had our bin delivered on Good Friday and then we have got up this morning only to find another One on our doorstep
Posted by: Roy, Basildon on 10:29am Mon 24 Mar 08
Kim made a comment with regards to big business and packaging. If she looks up the packaging regs she will see that as a business you have to pay for the amount of packaging that you use and goes into landfill.
Kim made a comment with regards to big business and packaging. If she looks up the packaging regs she will see that as a business you have to pay for the amount of packaging that you use and goes into landfill.
Posted by: Dan, North Leigh on 1:02pm Mon 24 Mar 08
[quote][bold]tommy[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Kim Gandy[/bold] wrote:
"The plastic bins are fitted with an electronic chip which identifies them, are strictly for use for twigs, leaves, lawn and flower clippings. Anyone caught filling the bin with household refuse could land a fine." Here's the real reason for dishing these out like sweets - they're another money spinner. Another opportunity to penalise ordinary people and make them pay for the incompetence of councils like Basildon. And does Basildon intend to fine big businesses for overdoing it on the waste front? Producing too much packaging etc? Electronic chips indeed. I find this kind of spying on taxpaying householders wholly despicable, crass and quite obscene. As for delivering these bins to people with no gardens, well, once again, it just shows the utter incompetence of Basildon Council. But then, is anybody surprised? They couldn't organise their way ut of a paper bag. [/quote] Always such negative vibes. Why not propose something for a change?
How about communal bins? Instead of every home having a bin, why not make it 1 bin between 2 or 3 homes?
If attitudes about how we dispose of waste are to be changed the lead needs to be taken by the council. It's a new scheme and of course mistakes will be made. But give it a chance.[/quote] Kim Gandy never seems to propose anything positive, just tries to feed off people's discontent. No wonder nobody votes for the 'English Democrats'.
tommy wrote:
Kim Gandy wrote:
"The plastic bins are fitted with an electronic chip which identifies them, are strictly for use for twigs, leaves, lawn and flower clippings. Anyone caught filling the bin with household refuse could land a fine." Here's the real reason for dishing these out like sweets - they're another money spinner. Another opportunity to penalise ordinary people and make them pay for the incompetence of councils like Basildon. And does Basildon intend to fine big businesses for overdoing it on the waste front? Producing too much packaging etc? Electronic chips indeed. I find this kind of spying on taxpaying householders wholly despicable, crass and quite obscene. As for delivering these bins to people with no gardens, well, once again, it just shows the utter incompetence of Basildon Council. But then, is anybody surprised? They couldn't organise their way ut of a paper bag.
Always such negative vibes. Why not propose something for a change?
How about communal bins? Instead of every home having a bin, why not make it 1 bin between 2 or 3 homes?
If attitudes about how we dispose of waste are to be changed the lead needs to be taken by the council. It's a new scheme and of course mistakes will be made. But give it a chance.
Kim Gandy never seems to propose anything positive, just tries to feed off people's discontent. No wonder nobody votes for the 'English Democrats'.
Posted by: devil's advocate, boozeildon on 2:30pm Mon 24 Mar 08
[quote][bold]June[/bold] wrote:
Send all the bins back to the melting pot and organise a facility where recycling bins can be placed in council car parks to deposit waste garden material and collection of same made on a regular basis - how novel is that?[/quote] Presumably we would have to drive there in our 4x4's? Nice one June.
I think paul Myleg's idea's were good though! Perhap's June could tow her bin to the car park each time?
June wrote:
Send all the bins back to the melting pot and organise a facility where recycling bins can be placed in council car parks to deposit waste garden material and collection of same made on a regular basis - how novel is that?
Presumably we would have to drive there in our 4x4's? Nice one June.
I think paul Myleg's idea's were good though! Perhap's June could tow her bin to the car park each time?
Posted by: June, Basildon on 8:06pm Mon 24 Mar 08
[quote][bold]devil's advocate[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]June[/bold] wrote: Send all the bins back to the melting pot and organise a facility where recycling bins can be placed in council car parks to deposit waste garden material and collection of same made on a regular basis - how novel is that?[/quote] Presumably we would have to drive there in our 4x4's? Nice one June. I think paul Myleg's idea's were good though! Perhap's June could tow her bin to the car park each time?[/quote] You make the presumption that the bins would have to be taken in vehicles?Nothing wrong with walking them to the collection point, good healthy excercise.
Definitely would not support taking it in a 4x4 it would defeat the object!
devil's advocate wrote:
June wrote: Send all the bins back to the melting pot and organise a facility where recycling bins can be placed in council car parks to deposit waste garden material and collection of same made on a regular basis - how novel is that?
Presumably we would have to drive there in our 4x4's? Nice one June. I think paul Myleg's idea's were good though! Perhap's June could tow her bin to the car park each time?
You make the presumption that the bins would have to be taken in vehicles?Nothing wrong with walking them to the collection point, good healthy excercise.
Definitely would not support taking it in a 4x4 it would defeat the object!
Posted by: Mark, Pitsea on 2:35pm Tue 25 Mar 08
I would like to thank Basildon Council for my Green Waste wheelie bin delivered Bank Holiday Monday. I have been companying for one of these for years! - That said, I am not sure I can generate as much garden waste to warrant a collection once a fortnight though (they are very large in volume size) - but happy to leave it out for collection once part full. Now can I have a black one for my general household waste please?
I would like to thank Basildon Council for my Green Waste wheelie bin delivered Bank Holiday Monday. I have been companying for one of these for years! - That said, I am not sure I can generate as much garden waste to warrant a collection once a fortnight though (they are very large in volume size) - but happy to leave it out for collection once part full. Now can I have a black one for my general household waste please?
Posted by: Mark, Pitsea on 4:20pm Tue 25 Mar 08
sorry meant to say [bold]'Campaigning for years'[/bold] **** spell checker
sorry meant to say
'Campaigning for years' **** spell checker
Posted by: piano hinges on 8:03am Fri 28 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Kim Gandy[/bold] wrote:
"The plastic bins are fitted with an electronic chip which identifies them, are strictly for use for twigs, leaves, lawn and flower clippings. Anyone caught filling the bin with household refuse could land a fine." Here's the real reason for dishing these out like sweets - they're another money spinner. Another opportunity to penalise ordinary people and make them pay for the incompetence of councils like Basildon. And does Basildon intend to fine big businesses for overdoing it on the waste front? Producing too much packaging etc? Electronic chips indeed. I find this kind of spying on taxpaying householders wholly despicable, crass and quite obscene. As for delivering these bins to people with no gardens, well, once again, it just shows the utter incompetence of Basildon Council. But then, is anybody surprised? They couldn't organise their way ut of a paper bag. [/quote] I read your letter on this issue in last night's Echo. Good for you.
Kim Gandy wrote:
"The plastic bins are fitted with an electronic chip which identifies them, are strictly for use for twigs, leaves, lawn and flower clippings. Anyone caught filling the bin with household refuse could land a fine." Here's the real reason for dishing these out like sweets - they're another money spinner. Another opportunity to penalise ordinary people and make them pay for the incompetence of councils like Basildon. And does Basildon intend to fine big businesses for overdoing it on the waste front? Producing too much packaging etc? Electronic chips indeed. I find this kind of spying on taxpaying householders wholly despicable, crass and quite obscene. As for delivering these bins to people with no gardens, well, once again, it just shows the utter incompetence of Basildon Council. But then, is anybody surprised? They couldn't organise their way ut of a paper bag.
I read your letter on this issue in last night's Echo. Good for you.
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