• A LESS-publicised aspect of the changes to Camden’s recycling and rubbish services is the introduction of a £75 annual charge for garden waste collection.

The council’s justification is that only 20 per cent of residents have gardens, so the charge is fair because the majority shouldn’t be subsidising the minority.

However, this percentage is an underestimate because it appears to be based on houses and ignores flats with gardens and homes with terraces or other outside space.

In addition, many residents with gardens in council properties are already denied garden waste collection, despite years of protesting.

It’s also false logic because numerous Camden services (libraries, playgrounds, day centres…) are used by a minority but paid for by all.

What’s more the change is likely to achieve the reverse of the hoped-for increase in recycling if residents refuse to pay £75 and instead dispose of garden waste with their general rubbish or food caddy.

Plus it could worsen Camden’s already highly polluted air if more residents opt to make more frequent trips to the Regis Road recycling centre by car.

Camden have suggested that residents could club together to share the fee, with one home storing the garden waste for neighbours between collections, although it’s not at all clear how well this would be received.

Plus, clubbing together would reduce the total revenue to the council, which somewhat undermines the supposed objective of the scheme.

Council officials have confirmed that no survey of residents was carried out to check the likely response to the garden waste changes.

Therefore Camden Air Action have compiled our own.

It can be accessed at: https://camdenairaction.typeform.com/to/KWIf2t

Please do fill it in and share with as many Camden residents as you can.

Green Party councillor Siân Berry has agreed to raise the results of Camden Air Action’s independent questionnaire with the council.

Contact: CamdenAirAction.Questionnaire@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Camden Air Action is a convergence of local community groups and individuals campaigning to make our streets healthier for all.

This includes measures to clean up our polluted air and create more green spaces.
The garden waste collection changes are in danger of doing the opposite by forcing residents to drive more and garden less.

The one bright spot is that the new refuse and recycling contract is more flexible than the existing one, and councillors have said they will consider amending it if elements are unworkable.

Let’s take them at their word.

DEE SEARLE
Camden Air Action