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Considerable increase continues in the number of large premises, such as blocks of
flats, hotels, etc., where the "container" system of collection is in operation.
This method provides for the provision of special containers, which are purchased
by the owners of properties. Collection is made daily with the exception of
Sunday, Christmas Day, Good Friday and Bank Holidays. The containers are
removed bodily from the premises and conveyed to the Council's Wharf, where
they are emptied and cleansed and disinfected before being returned to the
premises. This method, obviously more hygienic, is also quicker and less noisy
in working and far more satisfactory than refuse bin collection.
The Council have made financial provision for the purchase of a new fleet of
house refuse collecting vehicles, and trials are at present being carried out to
ascertain the most suitable type of vehicle. It is hoped that the acquisition of
these vehicles will enable the house refuse collection to be carried out in a more
efficient and hygienic manner than previously.
Refuse Disposal.—With regard to disposal, the whole of the refuse collected in
the Borough is taken to the Council's Wharf on the Canal at Paddington Basin
and there discharged into a collecting pit. From this it is taken by means of an
electric crane into a screen having a graded mesh which separates the large and
small material. The larger material passes along a picking belt and from this is
extracted saleable material, such as waste paper, rags, bones, scrap metal, etc., the
latter finding a ready sale. The fine ashes and breeze obtained by screening are,
during the winter months, disposed of to brickmakers and others. The residue
from the picking belt is conveyed to a series of destructor cells and WoodallDuckham
refuse destructor, which is mechanically fed, and clinkered. In this way
the quantity of crude refuse to be conveyed to the Council's Shoot at Northolt,
where it is carefully covered and so dealt with us to reduce risk of nuisance, is
greatly diminished.
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. The Borough has been divided
into beats and each sweeper is given a definite length of public way for which he is
entirely responsible. This system applies also to the sweeping gangs employed at
night. Each of the orderly barrows carries two galvanized refuse bins into which
the sweepings are placed by the man in charge. Periodical calls are made during
the day at prearranged collecting spots and the contents of the bins are loaded into
lorries and conveyed to the Wharf as shown above, the collecting vehicles being
specially constructed and fitted with covers to prevent the blowing of refuse over
the public streets.
Generally.—New plant has been 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 service is carried out in a satisfactory
and efficient manner and in such a way as to 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.
House Refuse collected during the year ended
31st March, 1933 43,583 tons.
Street Sweepings collected during the year
ended 31st March, 1933 7,891 tons.
In addition, a sum of approximately £1,300 was received for the removal of
Trade Refuse, Green and Fish Offal and for the cleansing of petrol interceptors.