Concern

Re: waste management and recycling.It is with considerable concern that I read about the idea of a large waste incinerator to burn millions of tonnes of waste could be built in the Clevedon area. The idea of a large incinerator to burn waste and at the same time generating electricity, has some merit.May I suggest that it would be more appropriate to site such a facility in the Portbury Dock as this would be well away from any residential area.It is implied that the three neighbouring unitary authorities would use this facility. Portbury Dock has a rail system that could be used to transport waste from these other authorities, at the same time be used to remove any residual ash, therefore reducing road congestion.When considering recycling, should we not look at this from another prospective? Why not turn the idea of what we can recycle on its head? Not looking at what we can recycle, but what we cannot recycle. By attacking the problem from this end, we may find we reduce the amount of waste considerably.One of the main hurdles concerning recycling is to educate people and convince them that we all have a part to play in tackling this ongoing problem. This must start in the nursery school and go on to primary and secondary schools. This will take time, but only in this way will the mountains of waste be reduced.There will be many people who will deride these ideas, saying that this will cost far too much money. In the last few days, the government doubled the tax on people flying, using the excuse that this is for environmental reasons. Should this money not be ring fenced for environmental improvements and is it not time to ask the government for a slice of this money for waste management and recycling?Patrick McNeill - Councillor, Clevedon Town Council