Action Briefing Feb 2004-Mar 2004
	The Newsletter of Birmingham Friends of the Earth

West Midlands News

Waste in the Regions

The Midlands Politics Show had a waste special in January focussing on the recycling rates across both the East and West Midlands. Indeed, between the regions we have some of the best rates in the country, as well as some of the worst.

Daventry comes out on top with over 50% of municipal waste recycled, while not far behind is Lichfield; and it was to Lichfield that the cameras travelled, doing vox pops with the bin operatives and local residentss. The message about resource use has certainly hit home.

Poor old Mansfield was bottom of the pile but the Mayor went on record saying that they will be in double figures in 2005. This gave us the opportunity to have a go at the large urban pyrotechnic supporters and attack the huge number of waste-of-energy burners in the West Midlands. We were not able, however, to move the debate on to developing markets for collected recyclables and closing waste off at source in terms of packaging and the externalities of retailing placed upon local authorities and their council tax bills.

Chris Crean