Council denies bins move linked to death
Cannock Chase Council says its review of recycling practices was not prompted by the death of a worker who was crushed by a recycling lorry.
Cannock Chase Council says its review of recycling practices was not prompted by the death of a worker who was crushed by a recycling lorry.
Following the death of Craig Reaney on February 26 the authority has been advised by the Health and Safety Executive to make the switch from boxes to wheelie bins over concerns that the job is too demanding for recycling operatives. South Staffordshire coroner Andrew Haigh is also writing to the council asking for the changes to be implemented.
Last week at an inquest, he recorded an accidental death verdict.
But the council says it was already looking at changing the system. Council spokeswoman Kathryn Cooper said: "We want to make it clear that the possibility of introducing wheelie bins is not in any way at all as a result of this tragic accident.
"It has been considered for the last 12 months. We have had discussions with residents, consulted with the citizens panel, considered the resources and planning, which all takes time, to ensure that we are shaping the service for our residents and with our residents."
The council says that following requests from residents, it was decided in March 2009 to undertake a trial to see if it would be feasible to introduce wheelie bins for dry recyclables.
Results of the trial show that it has been successful, and the cabinet will now be considering the change across the district at its meeting on December 9.
Environmental sustainability leader Councillor Tony Williams said discussions started at the end of 2008 to move to wheeled bins. The trial involving 185 households in 16 streets was highly successful, he added.
"We have always wanted to move to the wheeled bin for dry recyclable waste and paper products. However, the initial set-up costs are substantial," Councillor Williams said.
To provide and deliver an additional wheeled bin to each household in the district would cost about £800,000. Currently, residents use two wheeled bins – for non-recyclable waste and kitchen and garden recyclable waste.
Mr Reaney, aged 18, from Kelvin Drive, Chadsmoor, was killed when he fell under the wheels of a recycling lorry in Brereton.
