Removing polystyrene bring bank a backward step – users
THE loss of the island’s only polystyrene bin at a bring bank site has been described as a step backwards.
The decision to remove the bin at Rohais Waitrose was due to its misuse, with material being left on the ground, blowing around and ending up in nearby streams, Guernsey Waste has said.
However, some users think this is only an excuse to save money.
Peter Finigan, 54, said although he did not use it often, it was convenient when he did.
‘To be honest, I think the whole site is abused,’ he said.
‘There’s rubbish flying around everywhere, not just polystyrene.
‘I think they’re just trying to save money, rather than their excuse of it being abused.’
The bin’s removal is expected to save around £10,000 a year in collection charges.
It also follows the end of polystyrene recycling in the island last year.
Guernsey Waste paid around £3,000 per tonne to process, something it said was justified at the time to save space at Mont Cuet.
This led other users of the bring bank to declare it was more about saving money than saving the planet.
‘It’s a shame it’s being removed,’ said Andy Bough, 54.
‘There should be more bring banks for different stuff to recycle, not less – this is a move backwards to save money.
‘I’m proud to be down to one black bin bag every two weeks, reducing our waste is better for the environment.
‘The idea polystyrene, which is plastic, can be added to general waste is just that, a waste.’
Guernsey Waste said that polystyrene can be dropped off at the household waste and recycling centre at Longue Hougue, or it can be disposed of in household general waste as part of the parish waste collections.
Mr Bough added that maybe if the site was managed more, it could stay.
‘It’s really handy that it’s here in the Rohais,’ he said.
‘I’m very conscious of what I throw away, therefore I will have to travel to the recycling centre next time.’
Another recycling conscious islander, Grace Sarre, 49, said many from the opposite side of the island to Longue Hougue in St Sampson’s would not want to travel so far.
‘I use Longue Hougue anyway, because it’s close to where I live,’ she said.
‘But I can imagine that others further away wouldn’t.
‘In fact, I thought there would be one at Salerie Corner, but there isn’t.'
. The household waste and recycling centre at Longue Hougue is open 10am-4pm Friday to Wednesday.
