‘Camden’s recycling rates are some of the lowest in London. Decisions like this will only make matters worse’

• I WAS very dismayed to suddenly see notices appear on the large green recycling bins near the West End Green toilets, in West Hampstead, stating that they are to be removed due to fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour.

This decision by Camden Council appears to have been made without any local consultation and, as far as I am aware, there has been no communication from the council regarding the matter.

Given these bins (pictured above) are so widely used by the community, their removal without a clear and effective replacement plan is highly concerning.

The plan appears to be that residents will now be asked to order bags and place the items instead outside their properties for collection, which will in turn create more obstructions and add to the already clogged public paths which have bags of rubbish left on them daily.

The issue with these bins has never been their presence, but rather the lack of a well-managed waste removal process. The bins have frequently been overflowing, not because they are unnecessary but because they are not emptied regularly or effectively.

As a result, residents who come to recycle are left with no choice but to leave items next to the bins, which then attracts fly-tipping.

Removing the bins altogether does not solve this problem. In fact, it is likely to make it worse, as those who previously relied on them may continue to leave their waste in the same spot. Without a proper alternative, this area could quickly become a dumping ground.

If the council is serious about tackling fly-tipping and improving waste management, the answer should not be to simply take these bins away.

Instead, a more effective system needs to be introduced, whether that be more frequent collections (additional collections on West End Lane have been promised over the years and yet to materialise), effective monitoring, and better enforcement against those who are responsible for fly-tipping.

We residents in the area deserve proper consultation on matters that directly impact our local environment and quality of life, but yet again we are denied.

I urge Camden to engage with the community before making such decisions and to reconsider removing the bins without a clear and effective plan in place.

Camden’s recycling rates are some of the lowest in London. Decisions like this will only make matters worse.

JILL HENRY, NW6