Sutton Councillor Peter Geiringer was stripped of his post in Sutton's Conservative party group after claiming he was too busy with committee meetings to recycle.
” I am going to start recycling because of what's happened. It's all been a bit embarrassing. “
– Cllr Peter Geiringer, LB Sutton
His admission provoked disappointment in a borough which prides itself on its waste management record.
Colin Hall, council deputy leader and environment leader, said: “The council is committed to working with local residents to achieve a high level of recycling and local councillors must also do their bit.”
When contacted by letsrecycle.com, Cllr Geiringer admitted the sacking had forced his hand, and said: “I am going to start recycling because of what's happened. It's all been a bit embarrassing.”
“Hearts and minds”
Recycling tables for 2005/06 rank Sutton second best in London after Bexley – and 10th in England among similar unitary authorities (see recycling league tables).
Sutton borough council spokesman John Shewell said this has been down to the council's novel approach to recycling. He said: “We don't use a stick approach, it's all about hearts and minds.”
Over the last six years, the council has worked with community organisations and companies to recycle a wide range of products from paper to furniture. Kerbside collections of paper, cardboard, plastic bottles and metal cans are collected in green wheeled bins to be sorted at a materials recycling facility in Mitcham by waste firm SITA.
Sutton also benefits from the in-vessel composting facility run by Viridor Waste Management at the Beddington Lane landfill, which is used in partnership with the boroughs of Croydon and Merton.
Awareness
With the facilities in place, it launched awareness campaigns to the Sutton community and when the word was out, it then looked at the neighbourhoods where recycling was suffering. It tried to address problems through measures such as door-stopping people, organising road shows and visiting schools.
Last March, the government awarded Beacon Status to Sutton council for its innovation in its waste and recycling services.
And the next few months will see the launch of another two major recycling campaigns.
The first is its Recycling Heroes, where local people are nominated and awarded for their recycling work.
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The second is the “Pack It In” Campaign, aimed at supermarkets, which is being finalised. This will address the issue of carrier bags and the way products are packaged for sale.
Mr Shewell stressed Sutton council will not be using the “stick approach” to force supermarkets to sign-up to its campaign but it hoping to foster some corporate responsibility so council and businesses can work together and boost recycling.
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