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Recycling bins installed at Euston for commuters
Mark Prigg, Evening Standard26 Aug 2008
Recycling bins are to be installed at one of the capital's busiest railway stations.
Twelve will appear at Euston next week as part of a six-month trial. If successful, it is hoped they will be introduced across the capital.
The bins have one slot for normal waste and one for recyclable items.
Commuters have been targeted because of the large amount of newspapers and food packaging they either drop or put in normal bins.
Tom McMahon, Camden council's head of street environment, said: "Camden is one of the capital's cleanest boroughs and we want to keep it that way.
"We hope that commuters using Euston station will set an example to the rest of London by recycling what they can when using this station and help us make this new trial a success."
A second recycling bin scheme is already under way in Hyde Park.
The pilot scheme begins as figures show London is the worst region in the country for recycling.
A Greater London Authority survey found London recycled only 18 per cent of its waste in 2005/06.
Mike Tuffrey, leader of the Liberal Democrats on the London Assembly, today called for the Mayor to take urgent action.
He said: "I'm appalled to learn London's lagging behind the rest of the country in this way. One of Mayor Johnson's manifesto pledges was to encourage recycling in London but frankly, the time for fine rhetoric is over. We need to see some meat on the bones."
Reader views (2)
Just who, is supposed to be in charge of this fiasco?
Tom McMahon, Camden council's head of street environment, said: "Camden is one of the capital's cleanest boroughs and we want to keep it that way?" Have a look at the picture of the ghastly plastic bin, Mr McMahon, do you really think that these huge, plastic bins, which are usually overflowing with filthy rubbish, will enhance our stations and our city?
People like Mr McMahon, seem to think that if its a nice shade of green, and we call it a recycling bin, then all will be well. It will not be well at all Mr McMahon. These bins are unsightly and unhygienic.
London should be setting an example, especially with the 2012 Olympics on the horizon. In the Malaga Province of Spain, they are installing real recycling bins in almost every town and city. These bins, which are normally in sets of four or five in a row, are made of stainless steel, very attractive to look at, are of a normal height, and all their contents are stored in containers below the ground, which can be unlocked and lifted out upon collection.
Londoners deserve something along these lines Mr McMahon. Plastic bins are good for one thing only, and that is for them to be recycled.
- Peter Thurgood, London, UK, 27/08/2008 10:21
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The railways and tube already have large re-cycling bins. They are known as 'carriages' and can hold vast amounts of old newspaper.
- Paul, London, 26/08/2008 12:27
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