Recycling comes to Randwick Village Hall soon

Waste from village halls is classified under current regulations as household waste for which the Council can make a charge for its collection. Stroud District Council chose to make a charge approx 15 years ago. This matter was taken back to Council since then only to have the original decision supported. I suspect that the decision was made on the basis of the waste going to landfill.

Photo: Whiteshill Village Hall: Let us hope all halls will be seeking this recycling offer from SDC

The Randwick Village Hall Committee raised the issue of recycling with me - as Ruscombe Green blog readers will know, they are installing lots of green energy this year and would like to be "a complete green village hall". This is some of what they wrote: "We like to recycle as much waste as we can – bottles, plastic bottles, paper, cardboard – but I understand that SDC will not collect recycled items from us....In your position as District Councillor could I ask you to raise this issue with SDC."

They have already started tackling the issue in the hall - but want, like many, to do more. I have contacted several officers at the District Council - and as the waste in this case is being recycled they are happy to provide the Council's kerbside scheme or bring on-site recycling schemes - this is apparently a good will gesture - the Government have news of new policies due in 6 weeks although it seems unlikely that those policies will effect village halls - there will however still be a charge for waste being sent to landfill - but then that is an encouragement to recycle more.

Randwick will also look at a composting bin (available from SDC at a subsidised cost). Let us hope Randwick's move will encourage other local village halls to take action.