Camden installs recycling bins around stations

Announced yesterday (July 13) as part of a joint initiative between the council and free afternoon newspapers thelondonpaper and London Lite, specially branded bins have been put around Holborn, Euston and Tottenham Court Road underground stations.

The council claimed that it chose the locations to ensure readers had an easy option to recycle their newspapers and add to the 120 on-the-go recycling bins already provided across the borough.

Councillor Chris Knight, executive member for the environment at Camden council, said: “Camden is one of the capital's cleanest boroughs and we want to keep it that way. We hope these new bins encourage busy commuters in Camden to set an example to the rest of London by recycling their papers and make these news bins a real success.”

In May this year, the London Assembly – a body designed to scrutinise the actions of the Mayor of London – called for an increase of on-the-go recycling provisions in the capital and singled out transport as one area which particularly needed to be addressed (see letsrecycle.com story) .

Papers

Introduction of the recycling bins follows work by Camden council with both thelondonpaper and London Lite to attempt to curb litter in the borough.

This has already seen the free papers signing up to a voluntary code of conduct, which ensures that their paper distributors pick up newspaper litter.

Ian Clark, managing director at the thelondonpaper, said: “This initiative, in partnership with Camden, further reinforces our commitment in funding and actively managing a wide range of recycling schemes across London.”

Andy Guiton, head of distribution at London Lite, said: “We are delighted to launch this recycling initiative with Camden Council. The new recycling bins will give our readers another opportunity to recycle London Lite.”

The issue of free newspapers in London was highlighted last year, when thelondonpaper and London Lite signed a voluntary agreement with Westminster city council to collect newspaper litter as well as empty and maintain dedicated newspaper recycling facilities within the borough (see letsrecycle.com story).

The latest initiative comes after Defra last year began a three year programme to ensure a greater provision of on-the-go recycling facilities and the published a voluntary code of practice and a good practice guide on the topic (see letsrecycle.com story). However, the council told letsrecycle.com that, while it was aware of the Defra push, the installationof the 70 bins was part of a unique move from Camden to attempt to improve its on on-street provisions.