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REFUSE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL
The refuse-collection and disposal service is under the control of the Borough
Engineer and Surveyor. The collection of refuse has been carried out by direct labour
since 1st April, 1964, as a result of a Council decision taken in 1962.
The refuse-collection vehicles now in use have been supplied by Shelvoke &
Drewry of Letchworth, being known as their "Pakamatic" type. They are equipped
with a compression device in the form of a large ram which effects a reduction in
the volume of the refuse in the ratio of 2½: 1, and enable 50 cubic yards of loose
refuse to be accommodated in a 20-cubic yard body. No hand trimming of the
refuse in the vehicle is necessary and the vehicles offer ease of loading with maximum
reduction of dust nuisance.
The Council has also extended its service for the collection of household junk
such as unwanted furniture and material too large for the dustbin, and it is hoped that
householders will make use of this service.
It is not generally realised that the full quantity of domestic refuse arising from
the normal enjoyment of each household will be collected in every week, and the
quantity is not restricted to one bin. The habitual use of cardboard boxes, however,
for storing quantities of refuse pending collection causes many difficulties, particularly
in wet weather, and it is hoped to encourage occupiers of houses where more than one
bin of refuse accumulates to provide a second or third standard dustbin.
The disposal of refuse will be one of the responsibilities of the Greater London
Council as from 1st April, 1965, but it may be two or three years before comprehensive
working arrangements and disposal points are established. In the meantime, the
disposal of Finchley's refuse is done by using it as part of the filling material for
reclaiming about 15 acres of land at the former Sewage Disposal Works for ultimate
use as playing fields and public walks and pleasure grounds. The use of refuse for this
purpose has been approved by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government and,
where it is used, the area is regulated as a controlled tip in accordance with the
standard practice and the requirements of the Ministry of Housing and Local Government.
A man is engaged full-time on all forms of pest control and the Borough
Engineer and Surveyor's officers work in constant consultation with the Public Health
Inspectors in maintaining the tip in a sanitary condition.
CLEAN AIR
Smoke Control Areas
For the purposes of the provisions of this Act, the Borough has been divided into
14 areas. In eight of these, Smoke Control Orders were in force at the end of 1963,
and this year Finchley No. 9 Smoke Control Order affecting a large part of the N.2
district, came into operation on October 1st.
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