Waste policy leaves bags of questions

Rather than being eagerly anticipated, the waste strategy is the cause of apprehension.

After years, if not decades, of investigation, planning and debate it would seem we must all still collectively hold our breaths.

It is not that deputies are all convinced this is the best option, just that it is the only one on the table – and time is running short.

The great unknown is how people will react to a pay-per-bag system.

Will the charging for each black bag drive each household to recycle with enthusiasm and reduce their waste or will people just absorb the costs?

Will the total sum of the parish charges and the States standing charge prove punitively high for households who are already struggling?

How many homes will resort to illegal fly-tipping or burning rather than pay their dues?

How will the collection of waste at communal pick-up points work and can the States hope to catch those who abuse the system?

Lastly, how well will the douzaines and waste collectors co-operate with the States to make it work efficiently?

A lot of questions, most of which we will not know the answers to until months after the charging system starts in 2019.

No one has got everything they want.

Many environmentalists, for example, still hate the idea of shipping waste to the UK.

Some deputies would rather not charge for black bags, fearing that it will affect the poorest most, while others regret spending the capital reserve to keep bag costs down and putting at risk other major projects.

The States has set the policy and the pricing structure.

It must keep it under regular review to ensure the poorest members of the community do not subsidise the richest.

Part of that review should look at enabling households to spread the fixed costs over a year. Once TRP is added to the parish charge, standing waste charge and other bills it could put some families and pensioners under serious pressure.

There is still plenty of work to be done.