10th April 2008

Dear editor,

I am replying to your article (Lib Dems plan glass collection - Star 25th March) about a plan put forward by the Liberal Democrats for a kerbside glass recycling scheme. Unfortunately, their plan - probably based on an incomplete report recently done for Veolia - will give the city poor value for money. The £1.4 million they propose to spend could be used far more effectively. Recycling textiles could save up to seven times more greenhouse gas than recycling glass and recycling plastics could save five times more. Batteries and long-life light bulbs contain poisonous heavy metals like mercury, so we need facilities for recycling them safely.

Last year the Green Party analysed the impact of recycling different waste streams in Sheffield, including plastics and textiles, and of reducing how much waste we produce in the first place, which were not considered by the Veolia report. The Lib Dems have already tied Sheffield to a waste contract costing £25 million per year, relying on incineration. If the Council is to spend more, it should think carefully about how to get the best deal for the environment, and for future generations.

Yours sincerely,

Rob Cole
Green Party Candidate for Broomhill
Sheffield Green Party/Young Greens
robjnc@yahoo.co.uk
07967 365 677

www.younggreens.org.uk
www.sheffieldgreenparty.org.uk
www.greenparty.org.uk