Somewhat belatedly here is an update on the situation re. the ‘bring’ recycling point at the Sycamore Inn. The general recycling here has now been removed.
Following a reader request we ran an on-line poll here at parwich.org on this ‘bring’ recycling point, to which some 78 individuals responded, with a large minority (45%) in favour of retaining some form of central recycling point in Parwich (click here to see our report in pdf format). This report was sent to the Parish Council, who were supportive of the need to retain some form of central recycling point in Parwich (click here to see their response posted here at parwich.org).
We also forwarded it to our District Council, Sir Richard FitzHerbert, along with a request for further discussion of what action could be taken to enable some central recycling to continue in Parwich. He passed the information on to Heidi McDougall (Head of Environmental Services) asking her to respond on his behalf. She has sent a full email (the text of her response is reproduced at the end of this post), explaining reasons why it would not be possible to retain the then existing service at the Sycamore. The District Council is strongly stating that any problems residents have must be dealt with on a house by house basis. Residents can contact the waste helpline on 01629 761122 to discuss their own particular situation.
Here is the full text of Heidi McDougall’s (Head of Environmental Service Derbyshire Dales District Council) email to parwich.org dated 20th January 2014:
Thank you for your email and attached information. I have considered the information that you have submitted and in response to the questions that you have raised can provide the following information.
Prior to the site being changed to wheeled bins under the new contract there were two small banks for plastic, 2 x 1100 litre bins for cans and5 x 240 litre bins for glass. No provision was made for paper or cardboard. Capacity at the site for glass/cans/plastic was more substantial but following the retendering of the service in 2012 the containers were surveyed and changed to 3 x 1100 litre wheeled bins. The addition of paper and cardboard was also introduced.
Whilst, I appreciate that the photo shows that this site has been well used over the Christmas and New Year period, the tonnage collected at this site has reduced over time and more so since the kerbside recycling service was introduced in October 2012. The majority of houses in Parwich now have blue lidded wheeled bins and residents who are unable to store a wheeled bin are provided with alternative containers i.e.blue boxes and bags. All materials collected at the recycling site are the same materials that can be recycled at home and there are no limits to the amount of recycling that a residents can present. Providing that it is contained and visible (not tied up in black bags)it will be collected by the crews. Containers can be provided and any residents requiring assistance in moving these containers can apply for an assisted collection. Residents should have sufficient capacity in these containers to last a fortnight saving them several trips to there cycling site. Where residents have excess waste or ad hoc waste this can still be presented at home but it needs to be contained and put out on recycling week. If residents only generate small amounts they can share containers with neighbours. The District Council is prepared to be flexible and discuss ideas with individual residents to make it easier for them to recycle at home. Anyone requiring advice should contact the waste helpline on 01629 761122.
The recycling site is provided for domestic household recycling. It is evident in the photo (empty cardboard boxes of spirits and crisps and oil drums) that the site is being used to dispose of trade waste which is not permitted. Trade establishments should make alternative arrangements with a recycling company to dispose of their trade waste. If however, the premises is also occupied, for instance living accommodation within a public house recycling bins can be provided for the recycling being produced by the household.
On occasions the recycling service is disrupted by bank holidays or adverse weather. This argument is the same for the recycling sites where collections are reduced on bank holiday weeks and if the weather is particularly bad the vehicle would struggle to reach the site. On bank holiday weeks the household service is not reduced and collections continue just on another day (usually a day late). Where the household service is disrupted due to bad weather, additional collections are made and the Saturday’s are usually worked to collect from the properties missed. If we were unable to reach the properties for a fortnight additional recycling would be collected on the next recycling collection day. In these circumstances householders could use their blue bags and boxes previously used (prior to bins being issued) or a clear bag/container so that material inside is clearly visible.
Resident do not have to travel further by car or bus because recycling can be collected from their homes.
As previously stated the recycling site is for domestic household recycling and therefore not provided for visitors or walkers. Alternatively, litter bins are provided for this purpose. Holidaymakers should be able to use facilities at the place where they are staying. The recycling service is provided to all household and any businesses (holiday lets) should have trade waste provisions.
Since the kerbside recycling service has been operational there has been a large reduction in tonnage at the recycling sites across the District, resulting in the contract no longer being financially viable. Rather than risk losing the contract altogether and all sites being lost, the sites have been reduced to allow a small number to be serviced at no cost to the Council. Those sites remaining open are commercially viable in terms of their tonnage and location. Agreed by Council at the Environment Committee on 28 November 2013. It is also for this reason that the District Council has been unable to undertake consultation with residents and Parish Councils.
The District Council does not deny that these bins are used by a small section of the community but providing these bins and a kerbside collection service is a duplication of services and if retained will incur extra costs.
The textile bank is provided by a different contractor and therefore it may remain in place until such a time that the contractor decides to move it or be re-sited to the next nearest site if one is not available. I hope that this information provides the community with alternative options and explains why it is not possible to retain this site.
Regards Heidi McDougall BSc, DMS, MBA
Head of Environmental Service
Derbyshire Dales District Council
Town Hall
Bank Road
Matlock
DE4 3NNTel: 01629 761372
heidi.mcdougall@derbyshiredales.gov.uk
PARWICH.ORG 
From a personal view point I feel there still a need for the District Council to discuss the issues raised, with either local residents or the Parish Council.
It would be possible for the fortnightly curb side recycling collection to include some form of central collection, either agreed directly with the Parish Council, or by individual households being given the option of their blue bins being kept at a central location. Other people may have further ideas.