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38
PUBLIC CLEANSING, REFUSE COLLECTION AND
DISPOSAL.
I am indebted to the Cleansing, Transport and Salvage Officer
for the following information:—
"The volume of refuse is still increasing and this is in line with
the general trend throughout the country, due in a large measure
to the increased use of electricity and oil for heating. This trend
demands changes in our transport requirements which means
vehicles of larger capacity, with some degree of packing in order
to maintain schedules. Compression of refuse within the vehicle
is now an important factor to avoid the uneconomic use of transport.
The number of premises cleared was in the region of 29,000
and as some of these buildings, particularly the large ones, use
more than one bin, the number of journeys made by the collectors
is substantial. It is estimated that 1,560,000 calls were made last
year.
In addition to dealing with special accumulations from trade
premises, arrangements are in force for this service to be provided
to individual householders. A charge is made, based on the actual
cost of the job plus the usual oncosts.
Whilst the volume of work involved is not great it does provide
a useful outlet to people who have extra debris or refuse for
disposal, and is appreciated.
All night burning stoves are obviously used to a large extent
and these bring added dangers from fire, owing to hot ashes being
placed in the bin.
The volume of refuse collected was in the region of 150,000
cubic yards. A further 13,000 cubic yards was received at the tip
in the form of trade refuse, gully contents, street sweepings,
trimmings from verges, etc.
Kitchen waste amounted to 350 tons and was cleared chiefly
from individual containers in Mottingham and Lamorbey areas
and a number of schools. About 3,000 containers are in use.
Disposal of the refuse was carried out at St. Paul's Cray Hill
Park, where low lying ground is being reclaimed.
Further vehicles and trailers of improved design, fitted with
diesel engines have been purchased.
Salvage, including waste paper, has been maintained at a high
level in spite of market difficulties. The demand for newspaper
has improved; cardboard and mixed papers are in keen demand
and so are textiles.