Latest environmental monitor

The key issue highlighted in the latest Environmental Monitor continues to be the need to recycle more household waste.

 

In May 2008, the Council’s purple and clear sack scheme was extended to all households with either a Thursday or a Friday refuse collection.  The scheme in these areas has encouraged householders to recycle more and decrease the weight of refuse put out for collection by an average of 23 per cent.  The next stage of the boroughwide roll out is planned to start in September 2008 for householders with either a Tuesday or a Wednesday collection.  The final stage of the scheme starts in January 2009 for householders with a Monday refuse collection.  Initiatives are progressing in 2008/09 to encourage the community to recycle more, including further improvements to the network of neighbourhood recycling centres, and trials of recycling bins for flatted properties, town centre locations, leisure centres and railway stations. 

 

The  annual recycling and composting rate for April to June 2008 increased to 39 per cent* from 34.2 per cent at the same time last year and the tonnages of refuse collected from household refuse collection rounds decreased in by 4.4 per cent between April and June 2008 compared with the first quarter of the previous year. 

 

Generally, streets were perceived as clean and the standard of cleansing in the Borough has been maintained over the last quarter.  The number of abandoned vehicles removed for destruction off the highway between April and June 2008 was five compared with seven at the same stage last year.  The number of fly-tipping prosecutions between April and June 2008 increased to three from one at the same stage to eight in 2007/08.  The number of days the public conveniences were closed decreased to 45 days in the first quarter of 2008/09 from 49 days at the same stage in 2007/08.

 

This quarter’s Environmental Monitor has highlighted the continuing need for the community to recycle more household waste.  It has also highlighted the need for residents to engage more widely with the responsibilities of citizenship and the local environment.  

 

Broxbourne Council has published its Environmental Monitor for the first quarter of 2008/09. The monitor, which is available from the Council’s one stop shops  includes information on a range of environmental issues that affect the quality of life in the Borough, as well as figures reflecting the Council's enforcement performance.  Topics in the monitor include refuse and recycling, composting, grounds maintenance, parks, environmental health, fly-tipping, abandoned cars and animals, as well as highways and road adoptions.