Waste Strategy Questionnaire

8,591 questionnaires were returned by the closing date of 31 July 2003 representing a response rate of 16%.

Question 1 How willing would you be to do the following, to increase the amount of rubbish that is recycled or composted?
Would you be prepared to separate your newspapers, plastic bottles and tins from other rubbish?
Very willing	83.2%
Fairly willing	12.0%
Fairly unwilling	1.4%
Very unwilling	2.2%
Blank	1.2%
If you have a garden, would you be prepared to spearate your garden rubbish from other rubbish?
Very willing	77.8%
Fairly willing	10.8%
Fairly unwilling	1.3%
Very unwilling	2.2%
Blank	7.9%
Question 2 Would any of the following services influence you to increase the amount of rubbish you recycle or compost?
The Council collecting rubbish from your home, that you have separated for recycling (for example newspapers, plastic bottles and tins)
Yes	92.8%
No	4.6%
Blank	2.5%
The Council collecting garden rubbish from your home, that you have separated for composting.
Yes	78.5%
No	13.3%
Blank	8.3%
Being able to buy a home composter from the Council.
Yes	41.0%
No	44.2%
Blank	14.9%
Recycling facilities being available at Household Waste Centres (Civic Amenity Sites).
Yes	61.1%
No	26.9%
Blank	12.0%
Recycling facilities (e.g. paper, glass or clothing banks) located near your home.
Yes	72.3%
No	18.3%
Blank	9.4%
Information on waste matters.
Yes	56.7%
No	27.0%
Blank	16.3%
Question 3 If you were separating dry rubbish for recycling at home, for example, newspapers, plastic bottles and tins, how would you prefer to store each type of rubbish ready for collection?
Plastic Sacks	30.0%
Boxes	18.0%
Wheeled Bins	49.8%
Blank	2.2%
Question 4 If you were separating garden rubbish for composting, how would you prefer to store it?
Home Composter	34.4%
Wheeled Bins	59.4%
Blank	6.2%
Question 5 To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following elements of the Council's proposed way forward for dealing with our rubbish?
After recycling and composting as much rubbish as possible.
Use the remaining rubbish to produce energy through a thermal treatment process such as a modern waste incinerator or a pyrolysis and gasification system, before any rubbish is landfilled.
Strongly agree	43.2%
Tend to agree	25.6%
Tend to disagree	5.5%
Strongly disagree	8.8%
Don't know	10.0%
Blank	6.9%
Education - The Council should raise public awareness about recycling and waste minimisation.
Strongly agree	71.9%
Tend to agree	21.2%
Tend to disagree	1.0%
Strongly disagree	0.7%
Don't know	1.0%
Blank	4.4%
Home Composting - The Council should encourage the use of home composters.
Strongly agree	45.9%
Tend to agree	31.4%
Tend to disagree	8.6%
Strongly disagree	2.2%
Don't know	5.5%
Blank	6.4%
Kerbside Collection - The Council should collect recyclables that I have separated at home (e.g. newspapers, plastics and tins).
Strongly agree	83.5%
Tend to agree	11.1%
Tend to disagree	1.1%
Strongly disagree	1.0%
Don't know	0.6%
Blank	2.7%
Garden Waste Collection - The Council should collect green waste that I have separated for composting.
Strongly agree	61.3%
Tend to agree	20.5%
Tend to disagree	6.2%
Strongly disagree	2.5%
Don't know	1.9%
Blank	7.5%
Provision - The Council should provide Neighbourhood Recycling Centres
Strongly agree	61.6%
Tend to agree	23.8%
Tend to disagree	4.6%
Strongly disagree	1.8%
Don't know	2.8%
Blank	5.4%
Improvements - The Council should make improvements to Household Waste Sites (Civic Amenity Sites) including access, opening hours and a range of rubbish that can be recycled.
Strongly agree	65.0%
Tend to agree	23.9%
Tend to disagree	2.2%
Strongly disagree	0.7%
Don't know	2.7%
Blank	5.5%

Recycling Collection

• 95% of respondents would be willing to separate out dry recyclables from other rubbish.

• 95% of respondents thought that the Council should collect dry recyclables from the kerbside.

• 93% of residents would increase the amount that they recycled if the Council collected dry recyclables from their homes.

Garden Waste Collection

• 89% of households who had a garden would be willing to separate out dry recyclables from other rubbish.

• 92% of residents would increase the amount that they recycled if the Council collected garden rubbish from their home.

• 82% believed that the Council should offer a garden waste collection.

Home Composting

• 77% of households agreed that the Council should encourage the use of home compost bins.

• The sale of home compost bins would encourage 41% or residents to compost more at home.

Neighbourhood Recycling Sites

• 85% thought that the Council should provide neighbourhood recycling facilities. 72% of respondents stated that they would recycle more if Neighbourhood Recycling Sites were closer to their home.

Education

• 93% of respondents agreed that the Council should raise public awareness on recycling and waste.

• 57% stated information on waste matters would encourage them to recycle more.

Containers

• With regards the question of containers that respondents would like to have for the collection of recyclables, the results show residents are clearly in favour of wheeled bins for both dry recyclables (50% and garden waste (59%).

Waste to Energy

• 69% of respondents agreed with the proposed strategy to produce energy through a thermal treatment process after recycling and composting as much rubbish as possible compared to 14% who disagreed with this strategy.

Household Waste Sites (Civic Amenity Sites)

• 89% of residents agreed that the Council should make improvements to Household Waste Sites (Civic Amenity Sites).

• 88% stated that recycling facilities being available at the Household Waste Sites would influence them to increase the amount of rubbish that they recycled.