The Campaign for Real Recycling (CRR) has denied supporting the Daily Mail's anti-wheeled bin campaign, while LARAC has condemned the paper for "twisting the issue", writes Sian Barton.

In today's (June 19) edition, the newspaper claimed that it had "recycling sector support" for its campaign to give householders a choice over the container they use for their waste, and quoted CRR representative Phil Hurst.

Yesterday's (June 18) cover of the Daily Mail, when its anti-wheeled bin campaign was launched

But, speaking to letsrecycle.com this morning, Mr Hurst stressed: "We have not joined in with the Mail."

He said the way his quotes had been used was the Mail's "interpretation" and re-iterated that the CRR is "not against wheeled bins".

Yesterday (June 18), the Daily Mail launched its 'Not in My Front Yard' campaign to "stop monstrous wheeled bins engulfing our streets". It claimed that wheeled bins are "unsightly" and difficult for the elderly and infirm to move and it also claimed they are "fitted with intrusive microchips as standard".

The newspaper has even included a coupon for householders to send to their local council to protest against wheeled bins.

Although Mr Hurst agreed that the Mail's campaign does make "some interesting points about the problems with commingling" he said that container type does not affect the issues which the CRR campaigns about.

He explained: "We are not interested in this debate. Our issue is quality and it makes no difference to us what container you put waste into."

He said a lot of local authorities did a "good job" with regard to waste collection and it was up to councils to choose the best waste collection methods for the area. He added: "There is an awful lot of our local authorities out there doing the right thing and we support those local authorities. We are not about local authority bashing."

LARAC 

The Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (LARAC) has also responded to the campaign, calling it "misguided" and "unbalanced".

Sarah Dagwell, communications officer at LARAC, commented that there were many "valid reasons" for councils to use wheeled bins, such as where food waste collection takes place and a sealed container is required by law to be compliant with animal by-product regulations.

She said: "Many councils have opted for wheeled bins as they are an effective way of containing rubbish with a minimum footprint - for example a 240 litre bin will hold the equivalent of three to four black sacks - and, especially in the case of food waste, preventing attack by animals or the mess that can be left behind by splitting over-filled bags.

"There are valid health and safety reason too for wheeled bins, for example avoidance of needle sticks as well as injury - for both the residents and crews - from incorrect lifting of heavy bags or boxes."

She said images showing a large number of wheeled bins crowding streets, used to illustrate the article, were "twisting it" as they were probably taken on collection day when waste is generally out on the kerbside.

She added: "Gone are the days when you only had one bin for rubbish and now most people accept the need for multiple containers to enable us to implement effective and efficient recycling and waste services.

"As always LARAC supports local authorities in their rights to choose the correct collection system and containers it feels are best for its residents."