View report page

35
E(2). Refuse Collection and Disposal.
The arrangements at present existing in connection with
the collection and disposal of house refuse continue to work
satisfactorily. That the existing fleet of vehicles continue to
maintain a weekly collection in spite of the fact that the number
of houses being dealt with at the 31st December was an increase
of some 900 on the like figure for the previous year, reflects
due credit on the administration of this section of the Department.
During the year reorganisation of the days of collection
was rendered necessary, due to the increase in the number of
houses in certain defined districts, and as the service is now
working at full pressure, the Council have authorised the
purchase of a new vehicle during 1939.
The method of storage is by means of sanitary dust-bins,
and some 11,500 are emptied weekly. The dust-bins are
provided and maintained by the owners of the properties concerned,
the Council securing this bv a local act—The Erith
Improvement Act, 1920. Disposal is effected by barging under
contract, and these arrangements are still working very
satisfactorily.
It is perhaps justifiable here to draw attention to the costs
of this service for the year, to further emphasise how economical
as well as efficient our present arrangements are.
Costs.
The cost per ton of collecting refuse is 7s. 4d. (previous
year was 7/10)
The cost per ton of disposing refuse 3s. l0d.
Net cost per 1,000 of population £132
The following tables show :
1. Details of the refuse collection vehicles and staff,
2. Details of the tonnage dealt with during the year.

These are operated by—
1 Foreman,
5 Drivers and
9 Loaders.