SAVING OF WASTE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXV, Issue 14, 18 January 1943, Page 3

SAVING OF WASTE

STILL IN PROGRESS

REPLY TO CRITICISM

In the view of the Wellington Committee for the Reclamation of Waste the saving of waste has by no means come to a dead stop, declared Mr. R. L. Grant, deputy chairman of the committee, commenting on an article which appeared in "The Post" on January 11. "The idea behind the reclamation of waste from a householder's point of view is for the complete co-operation of the householders with our committee in securing the maximum result," said Mr. Grant. "This can only be done with the help of the public. We are sure that they are definitely interested, and further, to our knowledge, a very large number of them are very actively co-operating with us. The ideal way to collect waste would be for us to organise a weekly house-to-house collection. Obviously this would be impossible with the transport and labour which are available. In some cities it has been, possible for the city authorities to assist in the work of collection, but without aid of this kind naturally it would be impossible to do so in Wellington with the limited transport and labour available. Our committee accordingly strives to do the next best thn.g.

"Taking paper first/the individual householder's collection is small, but the total amounts to a very large quantity of paper," said Mr. Grant. "By th,e wonderful assistance of the schools a tremendous quantity *of paper has j been; collected. The public now know that it is an offence to destroy paper, and' has been requested on numerous occasions to save all. clean paper, and when they have a sufficient quantity to ring the. nearest school and arrange for one of the children to collect it and take it to the school depot. It is realised that just now, while the schools are closed, this medium is riot available,''but the average' citizen is saving the paper until the schools resume, and thus no waste is taking place. It is interesting to note that the paper collection in Wellington alone to date is an average of 40 tons a week. When you realise that the average sack of paper, generally speaking, weighs less than 201b you will have a good idea of the work entailed in handling 40 tons. RUBBER COLLECTION. "In co-operation with the . retail motor traders the committee has done a good job of collecting this vital necessity. Collections were organised throughout Wellington city and suburbs, and with the co-.bperation of the Scouts, schools, vand Army, large quantities .of rubber were collected and temporarily stored in- .'the St. James Theatre' yard. '" The Government has publicised a campaign in rubber saying and advises people to hold rubber until it can be collected. While a large amount has already been collected in' Wellington, the public . are • advised to continue doing their best to assist the war effort by holding such supplies as they have until further organised collections can be undertaken. The rubber collected is practically all sorted, and, apart from the tremendous value in actual rubber, the patriotic funds of Wellington will receive a substantial sum. "In bottles about £800 has been collected, as tie result of the activities of Wellington citizens, who helped us collect several million assorted bottles. A further collection will be organised as required. "The withdrawal 'of the metal bins by the committee is admitted. It was because a few thoughtless people would insist on using them as rubbish containers, but "they should not need to be told that in contributions of metal they are winning the war. The depot in Wellington (telephone 42-856) will advise householders with any valuable metal what to do with it. "The Girl Guides under Mrs. Tunbell's, direction have made three wonderful drives for rags in association with our committee, and the last batch of 7£ tons collected resulted in £350 going to the patriotic funds. "It will be obvious that the people of Wellington have.by no means been lax in the contribution of waste materials. The average householder is a steady and consistent contributor, and their excellent co-operation is very welcome. "As a suggestion we would perhaps mention what is being done in some of the Axis countries concerning waste. It is an obligation on the householder tp have several small containers, wooden boxes for preference, in a convenient place,- in which rubber, rags, metal, paper, and bottles are stored. They are kept neat and tidy, and from them the collectors achieve the maximum results. PAPER ON WEDNESDAYS. "The schools will be opening shortly; and large collections are anticipated, Collections of paper will be made every Wednesday. Telephone the headmaster Wednesday morning and a child will call for your paper Wednesday afternoon. Some people, while knowing that the schools are the medium of collection, will not go to the trouble of telephoning. It should be remem: bered that it is an offence to waste any paper, and householders should use the school collection system or bring the paper direct to the depot, whichever is the easier. "Quite a number of the larger offices in the city, approximately 150, have established the woolpack, bale, and frame system, with really excellent results. The paper is collected and sorted, then baled and sewn ready for immediate shipment to the mills. "An admitted difficulty is labour, as well as the great need of transport, but citizens can overcome this difficulty by co-operation with us, as already suggested. We did not know of the six people 'The Post' reporter contacted, but cannot agree they are a cross-sec-tion of the people in this city. The man in the street today is as keen as ever to help the war effort and the help is always gladly given in respect of reclamation of all needed commodities. The rubßer. advisory committee has obviously met, because it is. from this body that the rubber collection policy has come. "To sum up, the committee' first de sires to thank the public of Wellington for its wonderful co-operation and response to date, and we know that in the vital reclamation of necessary materials the public will continue to assist us, remembering that waste definitely helps the enemy. We know that on account of transport and labour difficulties it is impossible to conduct week-by-week gatherings, and we are doing the next best thing and desire the continued co-operation of the public with us to make sure of the collection of all necessary materials. Don't be a critic, be progressive; join the band of workers, that valiant body of citizens, who are daily helping by their reclaimed goods contribution to fight the enemy on tlie home front."