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11
Street Sweepings.—Street sweepings are collected by means of special vans
and conveyed to the Council's Wharf. Here the greater part is passed through a
pulveriser and is disposed of to market gardeners, etc., for use as a fertiliser, the
remainder being conveyed to the Council's Shoot and used for covering the surface
of the dump. Recently the method of collection has been revised and it has been
decided to adopt exclusively motor vehicles and to improve the type of orderly
barrow used in the streets. Each barrow carries two galvanized refuse bins into
which the sweepings are placed by the man in charge of the barrow. Periodical
calls are made during the day at prearranged collecting spots and the contents of
the bins are loaded into vans and conveyed to the Wharf as shown above. When
the fleet of motor vehicles is complete, it is the intention entirely to dispense with
horse-drawn traffic and the contents of the barrows will then be emptied direct
from the barrows into the collecting vehicles, all of which are specially constructed
and are fitted with covers to prevent the blowing of refuse over the public streets.
The cleansing of the Borough is being gradually extended on the best system so
that in the near future the whole will be dealt with by this system rather than by
sweeping gangs. The result will be that each thoroughfare will receive closer and
more constant attention.
Generally.—New plant is being installed at the Council's Shoot at Northolt to
deal with refuse unloaded there, and the whole question of collection, disposal and
dumping is constantly under supervision with a view of avoiding nuisance. Every
precaution is taken to ensure that the whole service is carried out in a satisfactory
and efficient manner and in such a way as will give as little annoyance as possible
when dealing with objectionable material of this nature. Offals of various descriptions
such as green offal, fish offal, refuse from petrol interceptors at garages, etc.,
are collected by the Council, a charge being made for this service as well as for the
removal of other trade refuse. The effect of this has been to improve the general
cleanliness of the Borough. Fish offal is disposed of to Contractors and green
offal is treated in the same way as street sweepings.
Statistical.—The following figures will give some idea of the tonnages dealt
with and the revenues obtained from the sale of salvage.
House Refuse collected during the year ending
31st March, 1931 45,123 tons.
Street Sweepings collected during the year ending
31st March, 1931 8,409½ tons.
Of the 45,123 tons of refuse collected, 12,939 tons were disposed of in the
form of salvage, 11,2044 tons were burnt in the furnaces to provide steam and
power for driving the plant, and 20,979½ tons were deposited on the Shoot in the
form of treated refuse.
With regard to street sweepings, 2,679½ tons were disposed of to market
gardeners, etc., the remainder (5,730 tons) being sent to the Shoot for covering
purposes.
So far as revenue is concerned, the value of the material salved and sold is :—
Fine Ashes £1,975 16 9
Breeze 719 17 6
Waste Paper 793 7 6
Scrap Metal 621 15 10
Rags, Bones, etc. 353 15 3
£4,464 12 0
In addition, a sum of approximately £1,600 was received for the removal of
Trade Refuse, Green and Fish Offal and for the cleansing of petrol interceptors.
Removal of House Refuse.
So far as the arrangements existing in houses, business premises, etc., are
concerned, it may be noted that the movable, covered metal dustbin is most
commonly found. New metal dust receptacles were provided to 238 premises.
During the year the inspectors made 2,933 visits. The majority of these were
made by Inspectors Hill and Lumley, who give part time to this work.
For neglect of the provisions with regard to the covering of dustbins, etc.,
placed on the footway for collection from the kerb, 50 notices were served.