From: ian blenkharn@ianblenkharn.com
Category: News & information
Date: 25 Aug 2008
Time: 11:48:59 +0200
Remote Name: 86.146.8.18
TV, radio and newspaper reports today tell of the new arrangements from DEFRA enabling punitive fines for waste offenses such as using placing bins out before the collection day, in the wrong place, or even worse with the lid not properly closed. Fines are heavy, and as some reports highlight far greater than that for some motoring, minor theft and public order offences. [more]
A pity that many Local Authorities, some of whom may be quick to exploit such fine options, do not make it easy to comply. I recall in particular the ridiculous requirement by some LAs to place clinical wastes outside residential properties as early as 4am on the day of collection or on the night before the day of collection*.
And in hospital premises**, what value closed bin lids? Just don't hold your breath waiting for DEFRA or its regulatory agencies do do anything about this.
*Blenkharn JI. Clinical wastes in the community: Local authority management of clinical wastes from domestic premises. Public Health 2008; 122: 526-31
**Blenkharn JI. Standards of clinical waste management in UK hospitals. J Hosp Infect 2006; 62: 300-303
**Blenkharn JI. Standards of clinical waste management in hospitals - a second look. Public Health 2007; 121: 540-545