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9
In conjunction with it, in blocks of flats particularly, the use of dust chutes is
possible, and though occasionally complaints are received that blockage is caused
by bulky articles, e.g., cardboard boxes forced into them, or that empty meat cans
give rise to noise, it may be said that actually real serious nuisance need not and
does not arise if the ducts are properly constructed and looked after. In fact fears
originally entertained that they might prove to be unhygienic and objectionable
have been found to be groundless. On the contrary, more particularly where
labour and economy are considerations, it may be claimed for the dust chute that it
is extremely convenient and has many advantages over portable dust-bins.
The fleet of house refuse collecting vehicles in use consists of entirely enclosed,
end loading motor vans, steps being fitted to facilitate entry. As a result refuse
collection is carried out in a most efficient and hygienic manner.
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 it is
extracted saleable material, such as waste paper, rags, bones, scrap metal, etc., the
latter finding a ready sale. A magnetic separator is installed to deal with the tin
and metal output. 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 furnaces and a Woodall-Duckham refuse
destructor, the latter being mechanically fed, and clinkered. The steam produced
is used to generate electric current for lighting, heating and power at the wharf.
Unscreened refuse is conveyed by canal barges to the Borough Council's shoot
at Northolt, where it is carefully covered in accordance with the regulations for
controlled tipping issued by the Ministry of Health and the requirements of the
Middlesex County Council and the Ealing Borough Council, pursuant to the
Middlesex County Council Act, to reduce risk of nuisance. A 200 feet chimney shaft
at the council's Wharf at Paddington takes the emanations from the two
destructor plants, resulting in the elimination of complaints regarding smoke. The
Council also has under consideration a scheme for constructing an incineration
plant to deal with the whole of the refuse collected.
A special Sub-Committee set up by the Metropolitan Boroughs Standing Joint
Committee to examine and report upon the existing methods, etc., of the Metropolitan
Boroughs and to suggest the most satisfactory and efficient method of
dealing with disposal of refuse on scientific lines, issued its report and made certain
recommendations. These have generally been incorporated in the conditions
governing the use of the Wharves and the Shoot.
Street Sweepings.—Street sweepings are collected by means of special vans
and conveyed to the Council's Wharf, treated, loaded into boats and 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 pre-arranged
collecting spots and the contents of the bins are loaded into lorries and conveyed to
the Wharf as shown above. The collecting vehicles are specially constructed and
fitted with covers to prevent the blowing of refuse over the public streets.
Generally.—The whole question of collection, disposal and dumping is
constantly under supervision with a view of avoiding any possibility of 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.