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Councillors break Council's own advice over corn starch bin-liners

Greens demand rethink

14th August 2007

For immediate release

Greens have called on Labour Executive member Judith Price and her predecessor LibDem Cllr Gary Hopkins to think again about their proposals to introduce corn starch bin liners to line Bristol’s food waste bins.

Cllr Hopkins has launched a petition calling on the council to introduce the corn starch bags as soon as possible (note 3). Cllr Price has been quoted in a Bristol City Council press release as wanting ‘brightly coloured, council stamped bags to be introduced next summer’ (note 4)


However, Greens point to the council's own website which advises against the use of such liners (see note 1), saying
 

Why can't I use biodegradable corn starch bags? Your food, cardboard and garden waste is shredded before being composted. Corn starch bags behave like plastic in the shredded machine, and are filtered out, ending up in landfill. This slows the process down, and makes it more expensive to run, as well as being a waste of these bags. Please use newspaper or paper liners instead. We will not collect any kitchen or garden bins that contain any bags or food wrapping that are not made from paper.’

Green councillor Charlie Bolton said

"I am aware that there is research that suggests the use of starch bags could improve recycling rates, simply because bags make it a bit easier. However, I have some fairly basic concerns about the message it sends."

"We already buy too much food, and then throw it away (note 2). Now, these councillors want us to buy a product to wrap up the food we throw away. The one they suggest is made from a food derivative, and uses land and energy which could be used to grow food."

"This is an appalling message to send out at a time when millions of people are starving."

Fellow greens have suggesting wrapping food waste in old newspaper. Cllr Bolton pointed out

"In my ward, the North Street traders are hoping to introduce paper shopping bags, as an alternative to plastic bags. Surely a far better approach would be for the council to give widespread support to such initiatives. At the end of their lives, the paper bags could be used to wrap up food waste. There's no reason why paper can't do the job. "

Greens believe that if corn starch is to be used, then safeguards need to be introduced to ensure they will properly degrade; and not get caught in shredders, not be derived from genetically modified source, and that they do not have a substantial carbon footprint in their production. Cllr Bolton is lobbying officers to see that safeguards are built in.

-ENDS-

Notes

1. Advice from the council at www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/content/Environment-Planning/Rubbish-waste-and-recycling/ kitchen-waste-collections.en?page=2#internalSection6

2. According to a WRAP report (http://www.wrap.org.uk/wrap_corporate/news/new_wrap_2.html), we throw away one third of the food we buy, and half of this could be eaten.
3. See http://itc.napier.ac.uk/e-petition/bristol/view_petition.asp?PetitionID=190
As at Tuesday August 14 (a week after its launch), the petition had received just one signature, and seven comments.
4. See Bristol City Council website press release "Wrap up your food waste - and look forward to new biodegradeable bags next summer" dated 6/8/2007

Contacts

Charlie Bolton, Tel. 0117 966 1639
Peter Goodwin (Green Party Press Officer), Tel. 01275 543280