Posted By Derek Carpenter 'Councils are being bullied by the Government into axing weekly rubbish collections, despite this clearly being against the public's wishes. People don't want bags of rubbish hanging around for days on end, bringing bad smells and attracting vermin' -- Eric Pickles, Tory Environment spokesman Unfortunately too many councils are abusing the public trust, using recycling as an excuse to cut public service costs, whilst at the same time pushing local taxes up year-on-year at rates at least double that of the prevailing rate of inflation. There are seven major points to be carefully considered (1) The new report, published in the journal Science of the Total Environment, found rubbish left out for longer periods produced tens of thousands more spores. Dr Tom Kosatsky, a medical epidemiologist at McGill University in Montreal , said: "If rubbish is decaying for two weeks and is heated by warm weather, it provides a fertile breeding ground for spores. Exposure to fungi on this level can trigger sore throats, respiratory symptoms, faintness, weakness and depression, asthma and other allergic reactions." (2) In the 13-week study academics at the University of Northampton swabbed wheelie bins that had held waste for two weeks. Results showed a raft of potentially deadly bacteria, including crippling stomach bugs like salmonella, e.coli, legionella and listeria. Rotting food also proved a fertile breeding ground for flies. Recent investigations have shown the presence in dustbins of Yersinia pestis also called Pasteurella pestis, a bacterium that causes the black plague and is generally transmitted from rats to humans by the rat flea Xenopsylla cheopis. (3) An increase in disease spread by the fly population. To look at one simple fact, the rate of breeding. If all the eggs laid by a housefly were to mature, then one fly could have 320,000 grandchildren. Fortunately only a small proportion of eggs survive, but enough do to become an intolerable nuisance - and a serious threat to health. The common housefly, more than any other flying insect is such a menace because it is a dirty feeder. The housefly has an extraordinary and unique habit: it alternates between filth and clean food, generally human food. Every meal consists of two courses: one course is any kind of garbage, often sewage: for the second course the favourite dishes are milk, sugar or anything sweet or fatty. Among the pathogens commonly transmitted by house flies are Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, Escherichia, Enterococcus, Chlamydia, and many other species that cause illness. These flies are most commonly linked to outbreaks of diarrhoea and shigellosis, but also are implicated in transmission of food poisoning, typhoid fever, dysentery, tuberculosis, anthrax, ophthalmia, and parasitic worms (4) An unacceptable result is an increase in the rat population. Based on returns from over 300 local councils, there has been a 69% increase in vermin infestation. The National Pest Technicians Association puts the problem down to fortnightly refuse collection and associated problems of overflowing bins, fly-tipping, rubbish left at the side of bins and the growing problem of junk food dropped in the street. (5) During the hot summer the increase in bad smells from rubbish decaying in bins The advice from a government quango to councils is to introduce fortnightly waste collection in the winter so as to minimise the smell and lessen public opposition. This advice flies in the face of advice from the WHO which recommends in temperate climates like the UK waste should be collected at least once a week. (6) HANDLING rubbish that has been left out for a fortnight before being collected can increase the risk of health problems including asthma and nausea, a study has found. Researchers found that the level of bacteria and fungal spores in the air above bins that had not been emptied for two weeks was more than 10 times that in locations where there was a weekly collection. Exposure to these conditions could put the health of operatives at risk (7) Another result of the fortnightly collection is a dramatic increase in fly-tipping. Obviously someone has to cover the cost of fly-tipping collection. Lord Rooker, the environment minister, said "Councils that introduce fortnightly rubbish collection will have to have a programme to tackle fly-tipping," He was concerned that there had been an increase in fly-tipping where collections were fortnightly. A full microbiological risk assessment is necessary to ensure public safety before contemplating any change to the refuse collection system

Posted By Derek Carpenter That made me smile Jim but the problem is more what is being released from the bin that places you at risk? This is a very serious issue that people are unlikely to be well informed on.

Posted By Derek Carpenter Your comments and worse will be very common Ron. I am hearing some authorities are already reverting to weekly collections based on experience and strong public opinion. We can only hope this trend spreads.

Posted By Alan Hewett Perhaps we should all generate less waste in the first place?

Posted By Derek Carpenter In an ideal world Alan that would be good. But the reality is that the current waste levels are not going down and we are volunteering to create a breeding ground for huge health issues.Do you believe the rule makeres considered the effects on health? current trials are a disaster.

Posted By Exdeeps Afternoon Everyone, I live in an area that begun fortnightly, alternate collection ten years ago (from memory) Yes there were a few teething problems, people complained and the World was about to end. Since the introduction of two wheelie bins the council has also provided compost bins, glass recycling collection boxes, battery recycling bags that go with the glass as well as several "premium" services such as removal of clinical waste from domestic dwellings. It took a while to learn how to manage the different waste streams and it does take time HOWEVER it can be done. For instance, empty waste containers such as food tins need to be washed out before chucking them out and if you really want to go the extra mile to prevent rotting foodstuff etc you can always freeze plate scrapings and put them in the bin on collection day. I don't think anyone in my borough has become ill due to the fortnightly collections and the council is very close to the top of the national league tables for recycling domestic waste. Now, to my knowledge, no one complains anymore about the two weekly collection cycle and in fact the complainers in surrounding areas are a source of some amusement. I should point out that the demographic for where I live has resulted in a very strong Lib Dem council so it may just be that I live in what is essentially an urban hippie commune!! We all generate too much waste and it is time to wake up to the fact that domestic waste needs to be managed at source in order to reduce our reliance on land fill etc. By the way, before anyone accuses me of being a left of centre, tree hugging sandal wearer, can I point out that I used to work on nuclear submarines, have worked in an oil refinery and now work in a large power station, Jim

Posted By Derek Carpenter Dont forget Jim that longer collections means bins will be full and surplus left more available to Vermin and Foxes. They may be in for a treat!

Posted By Derek Carpenter Darn clever those rats. They are there for sure.

Posted By Alan Haynes Our household waste is collected 2-weekly, alternating with garden waste. We have no problems at all with this, but I put this down to 2 main factors. Firstly, I make sure the wheelie bin is stored in the shade, so it doesn't heat up too much, and , secondly, I put all our food waste down the waste disposal, so there is less to 'go off' in the bin. Apparently our water company likes waste disposal units as the waste discharged to the drains improves efficiency at the sewage works. perhaps the government should subidise daste disposal units?

Posted By Ken Taylor All this wonderful theory depends upon human beings doing the right thing, washing their food containers, composting everything compostable, putting the right refuse in the right container in the right place on the right day, etc, etc. In the real world we need to expect people (with their varying degrees of intelligence, ability and social responsibility) to act like people. Wasn't the weekly collection system originally designed with regard to the time it takes for maggots to turn into flying insects? It's not so much the amount of refuse that's the health risk but its condition - which worsens with age. The major advances in human health have owed much to the introduction of soap, drainage, clean water and good refuse disposal. Fortnightly collections seem more to do with cost (and jobs) cutting than recycling.

Posted By John Murgatroyd It's a calculated risk guys. It's to make people think before the dump, or at least to think after the first few weeks.... Food cans go into the main bin....I'm not paying current water rates to wash them out, and the local council "rep" has had a moan about it already. All cardboard gets recycled (although the cost is excessive and no profit is made). All news (and free) papers are recycled. Empty the disposable nappies down the toilet first, then there is less to decompose (while doing that you can also check for worm infestation !) All organic waste (anything not meat) is gardened....the garden may smell a bit, but who walks around with their nose in the soil ! Believe me, the dustcarts are not idle....with all the separate collections (waste, garden waste and recyclable waste) they are busy machines. Oh, and could you please NOT put all your newspapers and magazines in the same orange bag. Some of those bags are now approaching 30kg....manual handling guys !

Posted By John Murgatroyd http://www.grumpyoldsod.com/death%20by%20cow.asp

Posted By Derek Carpenter Now thats what i call teamwork Peter. They must call a truce on Sundays! Must have been an uplifting sight.

Posted By darren booth i have had fortnightly collections for well over 5 years now, although calling it fortnightly is misleading. we have recycled waste collected one week (card,paper,glass,plastic,cans,garden waste ) and non recyclable rubbish the next. it is a pain to start, as any change in habits are, but the system now works. i have 2 kids, but i now find myself struggling more with the quantity of recyclables than with my rubbish. two weeks ago, i forgot to put out the rubbish, and i was expecting to have a few trips to the tip, but only now am i starting to run out of room, and the binmen come on tuesday-4 weeks of rubbish in one bin. i am not special, i do not compost and we eat (sadly) loads of packaged crap from the supermarkets. anyone who complains of maggots, rats, foxes etc needs to be shown how to use a wheely bin properly. i have yet to see an animal open the lid of one! when i hear folk moaning about the system, i point out to them how their council tax would likely soar if these schemes were not run, and ask them if they would like to have a landfill for all this rubbish at the end of their street, all but the most stubborn tend to listen.

Posted By Jim Masson At my previous house we have had alternate recylate and general collections for over 12 years, no issues. I fail to understand how people can claim that the councils are 'saving money' as they are still collecting on a weekly basis. I have never seen or heard of any vermin problems arising from the general waste wheelie bins being there for a forthnight, and that includes 5 years on the local community council! Yes, it took a few months for folk to get used to it, but then we all know that there is a kneee jerk reaction to any change. Maybe we should just bring forward the plans to weigh your waste and then we'll finally see people reducing their output!!!

Posted By Simon Walsh Grad IOSH Do you pee in it when there is a harsh frost too?

Posted By Alan Hewett Don't forget to take a few steps back and rather than just look at how you deal with the waste that you have generated have a look at reducing what you do generate in the first place. Think about what you buy and how often, go for the option with the least packaging, buy 'bigger' ie a 2 ltr instead of 4 x 0.5 ltrs, write to your supermarket, the manufacturers, your councillors / MP's. There is a lot that we can do as we are the ones that are generating the waste, but then surely 'the polluter pays?'ie us via council tax. Re: Health issues, if these exist then ways of controlling them should be sought but it shouldn't be a barrier that puts a stop to fortnightly collections. Reducing your waste is not easy but its not impossible and it can be done, it takes a bit of time and effort (and it may even save you a few quid).

Posted By Alan Hewett Agreed.

Posted By Geoff Ferneyhough It seems to me that once again the problem is being tackled from the wrong end. Surely one of the main issues is the amount of packaging that comes with everything we buy. Our Household refuse is collected fortnightly and out recycled waste weekly but you cannot recycle plastic or card so you either fill the wheely bin with the plastic & card or collect them in the shed for disposal to the tip once a month. (Household consist of 4 adults and 2 housecats). If the packaging was reduced then the volume of waste would also reduce. We should be pushing the supplier/supermarkets to provide reuasble or recyclable packaging. Geoff

Posted By Alan Hewett Manage it. Don't buy what you won't eat before it goes out of date and don't cook what you won't eat because you get full. Will save you cash as well. Easier said than done, but nobody said it was easy (although actually its not that difficult).