Lynne Featherstone

Local Liberal Democrats have welcomed a new pilot scheme which is providing increased recycling opportunities to some Haringey residents.

In parts of Haringey, green waste is now being collected weekly on the same day as the green recycling boxes. In the summer, organic waste will also be collected.

“A six month pilot scheme is a good start,” says Lib Dem Environment Spokesperson Cllr Bob Hare. “But it is long overdue and many local residents across Tottenham, Crouch End and Stroud Green will still not have organic and green waste collected. Residents want the opportunity to recycle and play their part – and it is short-sighted of the Council not to take full advantage of this.”

He cites a number of actions Haringey Council could take that would enhance the effectiveness of the service. These include including composting information in Haringey People and holding information events in key locations, working with local garden centres to encourage composting, making compost bins available to all residents at subsidised prices and completing the recycling cycle by offering bags of compost resulting from the scheme to residents for sale

Cllr Hare is urging all residents who can to play their part in composting – whether in their own gardens or by using the Council’s service. He is also urging the Council to assist and actively encourage action by as many residents as possible.

“I am delighted that attempts are being made to secure additional funding from the London Recycling Fund but hope that the Council will ensure that recycling provision is greatly improved, whatever the outcome of such bids. The environment has always been a key priority for local Lib Dems” says Cllr Hare. “We will continue to press the Labour Council to take environmental issues seriously and plan for the future.”

Residents can call the Council on 0208 489 0000 (main switchboard) to find out if their house is included in the green waste pilot scheme or to report problems with their waste or recycling collection.