Clampdown on what's right to put in your recycle bin in Havant.

Hampshire County Council have decided to monitor recycle bins on Hayling Island, which has apparently the worst track record for people putting the 'wrong' items in their recycle bins.

In a bid to clampdown by the council, a six week scheme was introduced and funded by a £6,000 grant. Four waste advisors were sent out from Havant Borough Council to monitor the recycle bins of  at least 2,200 homes on Hayling Island. They were instructed to go round ahead of the rubbish collection crews and lift the lid of the bins and report on what was seen inside. Those bins found with minor contamination, such as yogurt pots and used kitchen towels received a visit from a waste advisor. Some residents had postcards put through their door if they were out, informing them that they have put the wrong items in the bin.

The council are trying to get the contamination rate down by 2 per cent each year. The average rate at the moment is 15%. We have to recycle and we need to learn to do it properly. Hampshire County Council will be monitoring other areas in the future and can offer plenty of advice on what is right and wrong to recycle. You only need to contact their team.

Havant Borough Council have a great recycling team that regular attend local events and are always happy to help and advise on recycling and green issues.

With complaints from residents about being spied on and not being informed of the checks coming thick and fast, Operational services manager Peter Vince said: 'This will hopefully result in better quality materials being collected and sent for reprocessing. Two collection rounds on Hayling Island were identified as producing high contamination and as a result the recycling bins from each property, including flats, were monitored.

'Waste advisers went out ahead of the crews and lifted the lid of bins and reported what was seen.'They did not rummage through the bins and no items were removed. If contamination was identified then the bin was not emptied and information was attached to the bin advising the householder. This was followed up by a visit from a waste advisor to discuss and offer advice and guidance about what should be placed in the bin in the future.

Photo Thanks to jo-h on Flickr

What do you think? Are you properly informed about what is right or wrong to recycle? Or do you feel the council are being heavy handed and are snooping on peoples private property? Comment below.