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77
Daily Collection of House Refuse—Pilot Survey.
I am indebted to my colleague, Mr. H. Gurney, M.I.P.C., for
the following report on a matter of special public health interest.
"In May, 1947, the Cleansing Committee put into operation
a scheme for the daily collection of household refuse from
dwellings. The area selected comprised 241 houses with a population
of 900, the unit being increased in September, 1947, to 392
houses with an estimated population of 1,462 and detailed statistics
have been compiled with a view to determining the economics
of the scheme.
From a Public Health standpoint, the advantages of a daily
collection of refuse are obvious, whilst the practical operation of
the pilot scheme has been sufficiently encouraging to justify its
extension in the near future to a further area comprising a population
of approximately 12,000, after which, sufficient data will be
obtainable to decide on its practicability for adoption throughout
the whole Borough.
Briefly, the modus operandi is as follows:—
1. Each householder is provided with two small bins or
buckets, each with a capacity of 0.5 cubic feet, the receptacles being
fitted with non-detachable lids, one for the deposit of kitchen waste,
the other for all other refuse except paper, the latter being kept
separate and stored in a small sack also provided by the Council.
Each morning, except Sundays, the housewife places each
receptacle she requires to be emptied in the forecourt of the
dwelling.
2. The operator, known as a district cleaner, is provided with
a small battery propelled tractor, to which is attached three large
containers for the storage of waste paper, kitchen waste and other
refuse.
3. Commencing at 7.30 a.m. each morning, the district
cleaner removes the contents of the householders' receptacles,
finishing work at approximately 12 noon each day, except Mondays,
when the larger quantity of refuse accumulating over the week-end
necessitates working on refuse collection until approximately
2.30 p.m.