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Why Do We Have or Need a Bin Collection Service?

 

Background History

The humble Bin, sewage system and running water have done perhaps more than anything else including all of medicine to increase the health of mankind. Until towards the end of the 19th century, most rubbish was simply dumped out on the street and there it accumulated. Presumably it was taken away from time to time on a largely ad hoc basis, but due to the obvious serious health problems associated with vermin and disease, the modern system of refuse collection and disposal was born by the introduction of the Public Health Act of 1875 (Great Britain). The Act made provision for the removal of waste on a regular basis and obliged that refuse be placed in a movable container -in other words the 'bin'.

This single Act must have made a vast improvement over-night especially in crowded cities. Subsequent to this Act, there were many other improvements made, but this first step was one of the key foundations that were to cities relatively safe places to live, where previously they were regularly racked by plagues.

Current Situation

As time progressed bin collections were extended to practically all households in most 'developed' countries and the incidence of widespread preventable diseases reduced as a result. Over time however the amount of waste per household has increased enormously and in Ireland at least throughout the 80s and 90s, many households started using large black plastic bags instead of a physical bin. As a result we began to see a considerable amount of rubbish spread around the streets particularly around collection days, as these were easily attacked by cats, dogs and rats. The wheelie bin is therefore a good step in the public health direction that nipped this problem in the bud, just like the original 1875 Act did, because it keeps refuse 'safe' until collected.

In the meantime in the less developed countries, these simple public health measures were never comprehensively implemented, only piece-meal at best. As a result in big cities like Cario, Manila, Lagos to name just a few, there are large areas where the streets are just covered in refuse and it makes for appalling conditions, never mind the smell. It is no coincidence that in such areas infant mortality rates are far higher, although it must be said, the additional fact that the same areas do not have access to running water, compounds the problem.

Potential to Go Backwards

The introduction of this bin charge has the potential to undo much of the good work. What will happen is that in those areas where people simply cannot pay, in time, rubbish will start to appear all over the streets and parts of our urban areas will rapidly start heading towards Third World conditions. Some of you might say, but we still have free access to running water! But were it not defeated by the Water Charges campaign, would we not have gone backwards there too? In fact during the water charges campaign, attempts were made to cut off the water of some of the non-payers.

The councils and corporations are of course aware of this problem to some degree and the Waiver Scheme is an attempt to address this potentially large 'down stream' problem. However the plan is to privatise the Waste Collection and with it will go the Waiver Scheme. Likewise it would have been the same with the Water Charges.

A further point that might be raised, is that other parts of the country already have privatised waste and there is no problem there. If you think that is the case, then how come there is so much rubbish, usually in black plastic bags dumped all around our once beautiful countryside, in hedges, laneways, gateways, lay-bys, scenic spots, car parks, etc? In fact it is one of the things many tourists comment on and we are slowly getting a reputation for being dirty.

Nevertheless while this article outlines these issues, the over-riding concern to all people is that the Refuse charges are a Double Tax and should be defeated. Through Direct Action by exercising your legal right in the form of non-payment we can achieve more than any other means.

For reference to the water campaign see: Winning the Water War

For an account of the water privatisation saga in Bolivia, see The fight for water in Bolivia: nor any drop to drink

 

 

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