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The analysis of the refuse still shows that large quantities
of tinned fords are being consumed; a drop in the ash and cinder
content; and still a large amount of waste paper, cardboard,
rags etc. being mixed with the refuse, despite the many appeals
made for this to be kept separate, and the Compulsory Orders
issued by the government, so that it may be used to the full
advantage in tne war effort.
Housewives have been appointed as Street Salvage Officers in
almost every stroet, and have been advised as to materials most
urgently neodod and the point has been stressed very clearly
that certain articles must not be put into the bins, but bundled
and placed either by the side of the bin or in the sacks provided
at the Street Salvage Officer's house. These ladies have done
and arc still doing excellent work.
WASTE FOOD- A scheme has been inaugurated whereby some 1025
tons of this valuable waste food have been collected during the
year, and sold direct to farmers for the feeding of pigs and
poultry.
Approxirately 1,200 bins have been distributed throughout the
Borough to Salvage Officers, Works Canteens and Restaurants.
These are collected daily during the summer months, and three to
four times weekly during the winter.
The bins are cleansed and sterilised periodically at the Works
TRADE REFUSE.- The contract system for the collection of Trade
Refuse from business premises within the Borough continues to
operate most satisfactorily and, despite the war, has been
further extended.
Every trader who comes under this scheme, from the smallest
shop to the largest factory, has had an allowance made in his
contract rate for any salvageable materials collected by the
Council, i e. cardboard, paper, metel tins, etc.
The amount of trade refuse delivered by traders to the Works
for disposal for the year 1941 has shown a reduction on previous
years.
REFUSE DISPOSAL.- During the past year the total tonnage of
refuse handled at these Works has been 23298 tons. After the
subtraction of all salvageable material the actual tonnage that
goes to the furnaces is naturally low. It has been found
possible to dispose of this by working a reduced number of shifts
The national appeal for every ounce of salvageable material to
be extracted for the war effort and the extension of the various
markets has anabled us to sell various grades of scrap for which,
in the past, it has been very difficult to find markets.
STREET CLEANSING.- The present standard of street cleansing has
been maintained despite the black-out conditions, reduction in
sweepers, and the majority of the regular employees now serving
with H.M.Forces.
GULLET CLEANSING.- The periodical cleansing, disinfecting and
sealing of the gullies has been carried, out mechanically, and the
machine has now been adapted so that it can be used for
Decontamination and fire-fighting.
CIVIL DEFENCE.- Nearly the whole of the employees who are
eligible have been trained for Decontamination work; squads have
been on continued standby day and night and have been of great
assistance i:i clearing debris from main roads during raids.
A new Decontamination Laundry holding eight boilers, capacity
350 glns, each, has been completed during this year to deal with
the decontamination of clothing in the event of gas being used.
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