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58
SECTION G.
REFUSE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL.
Mr. Crowe reports:—
Regular weekly collections of household refuse were maintained
throughout the year with only slight disturbance at Bank Holidays.
Following the holidays, particularly Easter and Christmas, the work is
very heavy. At these times, large accumulations of refuse await
collection at practically all the premises when the men return to work.
The severe weather conditions in the 1962/63 winter came after
Christmas Day so that the disturbance which followed did not affect
the year under review.
As in my view it is essential to maintain a regular weekly collection
on the same day each week and at about the same time, every
effort is made after Bank Holidays to revert to the normal day and
this is achieved by working overtime for a week or so.
The method employed in the collection of household refuse is
known as the relay system.
Each team of collectors works with two vehicles and drivers, and
at the commencement of the day's work, they divide into two
collecting teams with a vehicle and driver. The divided teams work in
close proximity and when one vehicle proceeds to the refuse tip with
its load, the collectors join forces and complete the loading of the
remaining vehicle. This principle is adopted throughout the whole
day's work with the teams working either with one or two vehicles.
Thus there is no waste of collector's time as with the single vehicle
system.
Collections are made weekly throughout the district from some
25,000 premises.
A weekly collection of trade refuse is made from 300 shop premises
and offices. A vehicle and driver and a collector are engaged on
this work for which an annual charge is made.
Collections of refuse are made from the numerous schools each
week and three times weekly from the two large hospitals. Vehicles
and personnel separate from the regular refuse teams are engaged on
this work.
The Council owns a fleet of 18 refuse collecting vehicles, eight of
which are of the dual-tip rear loading type. It is the Council's policy,
as replacements take place, to purchase this type of vehicle which
enables the work to be carried out in a more cleanly manner than with
vehicles which are loaded from the sides.
Fifty-one workmen are employed on the work of collection and
disposal.