• THE closer we get to the implementation of Camden’s new waste contract the clearer the flaws become.

A particular problem which has received little attention concerns food waste. This was raised at a full council by Swiss Cottage Conservative Don Williams. Cllr Williams asked what will happen with households who don’t, or can’t, separate their food waste from their general waste.

Not every household disposes of food waste separately. Some people don’t know this service exists; others simply don’t have the space inside or outside their homes for yet another bin. Whatever the reason, a large proportion of households put food waste into their general waste bin every week.

Cllr Williams pointed out that fortnightly collections mean these households and their neighbours will face rotting food sitting uncollected in their bins for two weeks at a time. Food waste is unpleasant and smelly after one week, after two it is simply grotesque.

We already have a huge problem with waste on our streets in Camden. The council’s refusal to crack down on fly-tipping has seen our high streets become obstacle courses of black bags, mattresses and restaurant waste. Now our residential streets will have bins filled with two-week old food waste, attracting rats, foxes and other vermin. Camden Labour signed this terrible waste contract and they must be held accountable for it.

HAMISH HUNTER
Hampstead Town Conservatives