Voters allege double standard in recycling collection
Recycling collection has proven a messy subject with mayoral candidate Ian Hanley asking for fairness for all suburbs.
Double standards in rubbish collection as reported by Hamilton residents needs to stop, according to mayoral candidate Ian Hanley.
Recently The Waikato Independent reported on recycling issues in Hamilton East and how there seems to be a double standard for Hamilton East residents.
Hamilton East resident Kathryn van der Maas said recycling and rubbish collection in her suburb is stricter than other areas around Hamilton.
She has to organise her recycling bin, separating the plastic from the glass and tin.
She had previously lived in the city centre and had no issue with her recycling being collected. She said she would never organise her recycling bin when she lived in the city.
Since moving to Hamilton East she has discovered if her recycling is not perfectly organised it does not get collected and this causes mess in the street.
Hamilton Lake resident Chloe Taylor said she never organizes her recycling bin.
“As long as we remember to put it out, it always gets collected. There is no organising, it’s usually a bunch of wine bottles on top of spaghetti tins, just a whole bunch of crap piled together but it always gets taken,” Miss Taylor said.
Mr Hanley believes the rules should be the same for everybody whatever Ward or suburb they live in in Hamilton.
Waikato University student, Rebecca Williams, 20, agrees with Miss van der Maas.
“Hamilton East recycling is nuts,” Miss Williams shared on Facebook.
Mr Hanley said the council needed to be clearer.
“Council needs to be clear what it wants in what receptacle, what can be recycled and what can’t be and collected,” Mr Hanley said.
“If the contractor is being unfair or “picky,” then the people need to complain to Council and have the refuse representative meet with the local people so that the issue can be resolved.”
Hamilton City Council candidate for the East Ward, Gordon Chesterman was a little less sympathetic.
He believes students in Hamilton East need to take more responsibility for their rubbish.
Mr Chesterman said the Hamilton East residents are notorious for leaving old furniture on the street expecting rubbish collectors to remove it.
He said when students move flats they expect their furniture to be removed
“What students need to do is contact their own removal company or we have to do it, the bill is either sent to their address or the ratepayers have to pay it,” Mr Chesterman said.
