LAWR

May 2014 Local Authority Waste & Recycling 17 WASTE COLLECTION on a small scale in the borough, we are unable to say for certain that it has helped us to recycle more. Current recycling rates are 28% up to Q3". What's next? Craddock says that a few residents are not keen on physically touching the bin to put their waste into it. Hence, the firm has is devising a new system where it can fit a foot pedal onto to it so that residents can just press the pedal with their foot to open the unit. Poplar Housing and Regeneration Community Association is a housing association with 5000 properties in the south-east of Tower Hamlet. It has a number of underground bins for its Lincoln, Devons and Coventry Cross Estates, which has removed the need for bins at street level. Speaking about the system, estates service manager Peter Allum says: "The URS is an effective system for managing refuse and recycling, so long as it is cleared and emptied regularly. We prefer to use this than the traditional method of collection and disposal (shoots in flats) which is difficult to manage high levels of refuse. "In the beginning, we did have some resistance from residents to the new systems. As the system is outside and people were used to putting their rubbish in shoots, some did not want to walk a few paces to put their rubbish outside. However, people have got used to the URS and we do not get any complaints now." Allum says that the URS can also cut down on the risk of fires. Nevertheless, they have had some challenges. The association has had some issues with contamination when a few people put the wrong material down the recycling URS. However, a new recycling campaign is underway to help educate people to 'do the right thing'. The system is not cheap either – the collection vehicles are expensive to obtain, says Allum. They also do get the occasional waste overflow during holidays such as Easter or Christmas. However, all in all, it seems like the residents of Tower Hamlets have found the winning formula and it is underground. " It looks the part so residents recycle more " Underground refuse systems • Fast, efficient loading & unloading of trailers by fork truck • Rent or buy, on sale or return direct from the manufacturer • 6,000 kg to 15,000 kg capacities available • Solidly built to withstand rigours of tough working environments • Fully compliant with all EU quality & safety standards • Bespoke models also available www.thorworld.co.uk T: 01246 260981 F: 01246 260493 E: info@thorworld.co.uk LOADING RAMPS FOR RECYCLING & WASTE NO DEDICATED LOADING BAY? THORWORLD MOBILE YARDRAMPS OFFER THE IDEAL SOLUTION. FM 14696 ® SUPPORT BRITISH MANUFACTURING The market leading supplier of loading ramps to the recycling & waste management industry. Call now for our latest product range brochure. ® Percentage of people living in different types of housing Type of property Tower Hamlets percentage of house- holds living in this type of property Detached 1% Semi-detached 2.2% Terraced 13% Flat 83.6%

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