UK – shamed into recycling by transparent bags

Householders say they are being shamed into recycling after a council issued them with transparent rubbish bags.



Manchester Evening News reports that waste collectors in Stockport used to issue black bags but have changed to transparent blue sacks meaning the rubbish can now be seen.



Leaflets have also been sent out warning people that they may face legal action if paper, glass and cans are put in the bags instead of a separate recycling container. Council officials said the move is designed to expose people who are throwing away business waste illegally. But some residents have accused the council of snooping.



Michael Taylor, from Marple, said: "I think the council just want to snoop on people and make sure they are not throwing tins or bottles away. It could be an invasion of our privacy. We‘‘re being encouraged to recycle, which is good, but I wasn‘‘t aware business waste was such a huge problem to warrant such a change."



Coun Sheila Bailey said the bags, which are due to be delivered to homes in her Edgeley ward, raise questions about privacy and the possibility of identity theft.



She said: "Privacy is an issue with things like medicines on view, as well as issues of fraud and ID theft. Those who have evil intentions could discover all sorts of personal information. I think it‘‘s over the top to claim it is to expose people who are throwing away business waste. There is not an army of people out there looking to get rid of stuff that they shouldn‘‘t be. The bags are another daft idea by Stockport Council, it is a mistake, people will perhaps not even use them, which is a waste in itself."



Council officials said the sacks are biodegradable.



Coun Stuart Bodsworth, the executive member for the environment, said: "The council will be able to clamp down on trade waste as the blue biodegradable sacks are only available to Stockport residents in controlled numbers.



"Any other sacks put out for collection will immediately attract the attention of our recycling officers. Businesses which don‘‘t have a trade waste contract expose themselves to potential fines and/or prosecution if they ignore advice on how to dispose of their waste properly. Trade waste should not be disposed of at householders expense."



Council officials said that a number of people have requested more recycling boxes since the blue bags were introduced because paper, glass, and cans can‘‘t go in them. And they said say who fail to recycle may by approached by the council. It can refuse to collect household waste from homes where recycling containers are not used and ultimately has the power to prosecute.