COUNCIL LEADER TALKS ABOUT GLASS RECYCLING ON BBC
On Thursday 12 June, Councillor Jean Pearson, Leader of Mole Valley District Council and Portfolio Holder for Environment & Sustainability was interviewed by the BBC. The subject was mixed glass collection at the Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) in Randalls Road, Leatherhead.
Jean was asked why Mole Valley was not recycling glass as required by the the Glass Industry. Other questions were based around how mixed dry recyclables were collected, the need for participation by residents and recycling in the future.
Says Jean:-
"Mole Valley’s recycling scheme has been designed with the environment in mind, to reduce our fuel usage and carbon footprint. Kerbside collection means that residents no longer have to drive to recycling banks, whilst the actual collection vehicles have reduced their fuel consumption because they have to make less visits. .
The glass recycling scheme in Mole Valley began by recycling 50% of all glass used in the district. It has now gone up to 80% and the glass collected is used in road surfacing. This means that we don’t have to get the material from quarries, another strong argument against having any more quarries than is necessary.
The glass industry needs to look at effective methods of reusing glass. Years ago a ‘money back’ scheme was in operation, which still operates on the continent. Why can’t we introduce that scheme again in this country, and get to grips with this issue?"
Malcolm Johnson – Communications Officer – Mole Valley Conservative Group of Councillors
11th June 2008