Food waste rule seems to be taking us for ride
FURTHER to the comments raised by Alan Gee, Stockport (Viewpoints,
April 2), we are now advised that food waste, normally placed in green bins, should be placed in the same bin used for general household waste until the council tips are re-opened.
Surely this procedure means that when this bin is emptied, presumably at the local tip, there is cross contamination?
We are constantly being reminded that we could be liable for prosecution if we cross-contaminate but apparently this does not apply to councils.
Once again it seems that ratepayers are being taken for a ride by councils across Greater Manchester. This decision seems inane in that at this time of the year when grass/foliage begins growing again people with gardens cannot dispose of cuttings in a responsible way, (not everybody has a compost bin) and could encourage people to fly tip.
Could this be an excuse for councils knowing that they will not meet the Government’s target of 50% for re-cycling by the end of 2020?
Oh dear!
David Jack, via email
Fly-tipping a real risk
WITH the public being kept housebound many people are passing the time decorating their homes, doing DIY or gardening work.
But with the tips closed to the public cases of fly-tipping could well increase.
I’m sure tips could use the same systems as supermarkets i.e. one out one in.
This would enable people to keep busy and reduce the temptation to use anti-social means of desposing of larger household waste.
P. Meakin, Salford
We all need fresh air
THERE is a lot of misleading information out at the moment claiming there’s a ban on driving to exercise, which is not true – police guidance says people can drive a reasonable distance to exercise.
It’s important to be clear about what is and isn’t in the actual legislation.
The Regulations do not ban driving when someone goes out for a necessary purpose – shopping, exercise, work and so on – and they do not close public footpaths. To present a wish or guidance as an enforceable rule is just wrong.
Of course we all have to be careful and responsible – and it’s clear that the vast majority of people are trying very hard now the reality has hit us all.
Seeing notices around Roughlee and Barley telling people in need of mental and physical peace to go home does society no favours.
It seems that it is fine for us townies to risk our collective health to keep the NHS, care homes, supermarkets, supply chains, transport and factories operational and to pay taxes to fund rural grants and subsidies, but not fine for us to breathe fresh air at an appropriate distance from others, observing social-distancing, on all the vast acres of open land in our own country.
Many health disasters- ebola, swine and bird flu, MERS, SARS, corona – have originated in animal to human transmission in handling and butchering and no-one knows which livestock trade is currently brewing the next disaster, but there have been no calls from the towns to ban famers from our shops, despite their continual handling of livestock.
Can we please behave like a united nation and accept that hardgrafting key workers (I am one of those) are allowed some fresh air and relaxation time, to keep our own health strong, between working long hours to keep the rest of you safe?
Ms D Robinson, Clitheroe
Zoo lockdown there for life
FOR all of us currently in selfisolation, it feels like the walls are closing in on us. But while we’re doing this for our own and others’ good and know that our freedom of movement will eventually be restored, orcas confined to cramped tanks, elephants living on chains and primates languishing in cages at the zoo are on lockdown until the day they die.
If you’re feeling the stress of being confined to your own home, try to relate to those who are driven to insanity by being held captive in enclosures that don’t even come close to the jungles, deserts, oceans or forests that are their natural homes. The physical and psychological frustration of their diminished existence often leads to abnormal, neurotic and even selfdestructive behaviour
After we regain our autonomy and are able to come and go at will again, let’s not forget what confinement feels like – and stop patronising any establishment that imprisons wild animals.
Sascha Camilli, PETA