View report page

Refuse Collection and Disposal.
A.—A weekly collection is made in all parts of the Borough with the exception of
Wards 2 and 6, in which a collection is made twice weekly during the summer
months.
The use of Pagefield trucks, first introduced in 1925, has very much facilitated this
work.
From the point of view of public health the method of refuse collection, almost
universally practised in this country, leaves much to be desired. The evil-smelling
contents of the dustbins when emptied into the collecting carts, generally with
considerable vigour in order to dislodge the putrescent mass so often present at
the bottom, leads to the distribution of clouds of objectionable dust, not only
upon the passers-by, but also into the open doorways and windows of shops where
meat, fish, fruit and other foods are exposed.
The practice, in use in some Continental towns, of removing the full bins closed, and
at the same time leaving a clean empty bin is probably impracticable, owing to
cost. But a more ideal method than the one at present in use is urgently needed.
B.—The methods of refuse disposal are :—
(a) By combustion in the Destructor.
(b) Removal to the country by rail or barge.

The quantity of refuse to be disposed of has increased during recent years, and is still
increasing, owing to the more extended use of gas and electric cookers. When kitchen
ranges were more generally used it was possible to burn a considerable amount of refuse.
MORTUARY.
This is situated in Cambridge Street, N.W. 1. As a result of the improvements carried
out during the previous year this is now a satisfactory and well-equipped building.