“@Emma and Anna....

I guess the "sort of idiot" would be the "sort of idiot" that I am.

Given that I have a dishwasher, I have no need to "run the taps" to fill the sink at all. Ever. Everything fits in my dishwasher.

That'd be the dishwasher I run once a week. That I think you'll find is far more energy effective than the cost of water plus heating of it to supply your "old washing water".

So while you may have this "old washing water" not everyone will. I can't remember the last time I used a sink in the kitchen.

And I think you'll also find that it would be far more effective for the council to setup methods to clean/soak/condition the items to be recycled on a large scale, then the cost of everyones individual energy consumption plus the cost of bin policy.

Perhaps you need to think this through. Not everyone has your idealistic little bubble.”

“Well Steve, as you clearly do want to be personal I will respond
To take your points in order to save space
Firstly, this is not an apropriate medium to list the quantifyable benefits of recycling - there isn't space and there is plenty out there on the internet and other reference sources for those who choose to look for it.

To quote from comments here; "they get paid to sort the rubbish they chose to do the job so no i have no sympathy for them" "I do what I already pay someone to do" "It is NOT the responsability of a householder to save the Council money, it is the opposite". You will see comments of this type on any site where people make comments on recyling.

New York for a start. The point of the comparrison is that they fine you for putting recyclables in 'landfill' waste whereas there is a cop-out on recycling here as such checks are not carried out. There is, however, the potential for fines for those who persistently put the wrong waste in their recycling bins.

I don't feel the need to go hunting out facts and figures to justfy recycling as I know enough to know that there are savings. I wouldn't be able to quote specific figures (and wouldn't want to be able to plus see previous comments). I'm not the one who doubts that there are benefits. This was an encouragement to do a bit of research that may have changed a view (or 2?) - after all everyone that has commented here has access to the internet.

Regarding flat earth etc, (the 'made up' comment is a straight lift from the original comment - hence the quotes) the point here is that as the correspondent clearly does not accept scientific opinion - they are not generally known for making things up - therefore where do you draw the line on what you do or do not accept as scientific fact? Extreme example? yes, making the point? well, clearly not as far as you are concerned. It is very easy to dismiss out of hand without producing anything to back it up purely because something seems too much of an effort.

Rather srcastic? yes, 'name calling'? hardly and at least I didn't claim to not want to be personal and then promptly be so without actually reading the referenced comments”

“Interesting that in all these responses not one person has managed to support their veiwpoints with actual figures and instead relied purely on personal opinions which - and at the risk of sounding condescending - sound more like unsubtantiated dogma.

For example - and without wishing to be personal - Nigel M:

"It is sad that so many see recycling as purely 'saving the council money' or someone else's problem"

Who said this and when? isn't this just a crude straw man argument?


"Matt, you may also be aware that in some parts of the USA they have garbage police who check the contents of your rubbish and you can be fined for NOT recycling"

Which parts of the USA? and on what basis do you draw comparison?

"Plus I would suggest you use the internet to research the savings from recycling"

Good advice - although you haven't really followed it yourself to be fair. Why should he follow a recommendation you yourself don't appear to have any faith in?

" - unfortunately I suspect you will regard all the figures as 'made up ones from scientist' and along with membership of the flat earth society still believe that the sun orbits the earth"

Pure ad hominem in no way related to either viewpoint - and on what basis do you suppose he would consider the facts made up by a scientist? Where in his post is that suggested or are you again stereotyping and dismissing anyone who doesn't agree with your viewpoints? Surely you don't consider that an acceptable way to conduct yourself?

You way aswell just have called him a rude name and had done with it which is childish and I'm sure not representative of how you would wish to be perceived.”

“Whilst not a resident of Exeter, my Fiancee is a fomer resident, having relatives and freinds there. The following is for the people who recycle responsably - Exeter council bullies actually have their facts wrong - and their statements of it being "easier to prosecute for non payment of a fine" are also wrong.
No-one is LEGALLY required to pay a FIXED PENALTY - as the Fixed Penalty is itself ILLEGAL. This is FACT under a Bill used by Martins in the House of Commons quite recently. Under the Bill of Rights Act 1689 all fines and forfeitures before conviction by a magistrate are illegal and void. Therefore, should anyone be taken to court over non-payment of an illegal "fine" how can that person be found guilty, of something which isn't legal in the first place? There are also other defensive measures (Your Legal Rights) which can be taken should the jobsworths try it on. This newspaper can forward me any enquires or phone numbers for further details.”

“Nigel M ¿ have you considered rolling a pea uphill using nothing but your nose? Or perhaps emptying a bath with a sieve? Either will probably be less frustrating than trying to counter some of the views expressed on here.
It¿s very sad to see that some people here seem to have absolutely no sense of civic duty or pride. The council is indeed here to serve it¿s citizens but that has to be a two way process. It¿s up to us to make an effort too. The attitude seems to be that paying tax gives people an absolute right to do what the hell they like and then demand that the council clears up their mess.
As for the rubbish being spouted about ¿stealth taxes¿. I doubt that any revenue raised will do much more than cover the admin costs. What it might do is cut the costs incurred by people why think that they can sling any old rubbish in their green bin and just expect the bin fairy to magic it away for them¿”