London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Southgate 1946
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Southgate]
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Fly nuisance, particularly around the Destructor, of which
complaints were received in previous years, has not assumed serious
proportions owing to the continual exercise of preventive measures.
The total tonnage of refuse collected and dealt with at the
Destructor during the year 1946-47 was 14,048 tons.
An important factor in connection with house refuse collection is salvage of various materials. The following is the tonnage sold during the year:
| Mixed paper | 472 |
| Books and magazines | 36 |
| Broken glass | 79 |
| Non-ferrous metal | 5 |
| Rags | 27 |
| Baled tins | 605 |
| Bottles | 80 |
| Carpets | 13 |
| Sundries | 40 |
| Cinders | 87 |
| Total | 1,444 tons. |
The value of this material amounted to £6,341.
Residents are requested to bundle their paper and keep it
separate, as special compartments are provided in the vehicles for
this material.
The machinery at the Destructor is provided with Picking
Tables over which all material passes. Such items as tins, rags,
etc., are removed therefrom.
During the year, 988 tons of kitchen waste were collected. This
material is collected once weekly from every house in the Borough
on Monday mornings.
These salvage figures, whilst good, are still not good enough.
Urgent appeal is made to residents to save every possible scrap of
paper and kitchen waste, as the need is really urgent.
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