Plastic rubbish bag service is ‘userpays’

ON the controversial plastic recycling issue, I bought a bundle of five 65litre rubbish bags at a supermarket. To my amazement they cost $16.99, or $3.40 a bag. Surely not! They are made from recycled plastic, but nowhere is the point of manufacture to be found.

They are named the official rubbish bag from the Dunedin City Council. The consumer does not have a choice of any other bag.

Out of interest I rang the DCC to find out if they are sold at the council office. They were sold at $3.20 each, 6% less than the supermarket charged, or a bundle of five for $16. A small saving of a dollar, but not worth the trouble or time in a busy person’s life of travelling into town to make the purchase.

Why not a bigger discount for ratepayers, and with so much plastic about, why so expensive?

Beth Simpson

Caversham [Dunedin City Council waste and environmental solutions group manager Chris Henderson replies: ‘‘The official DCC black rubbish bags are a ‘‘userpays’’ service and are not subsidised by rates.

The bags are manufactured in Christchurch and the price includes the cost to manufacture and distribute the bags, plus the cost of the kerbside collection service, transport and landfill disposal, and also includes the applicable Waste Levy and Emissions Trading Scheme charges. Supermarkets may add a percentage to the price of the DCC rubbish bags to cover their own operating costs.’’]

Armistice

HOPEFULLY the fallen heroes (letter, 14.11.18) would be glad that those among them who were not heterosexual are no longer criminals. They would rejoice in the fact that their daughters and wives could get the education they want and to hold down decent jobs. They would be thrilled that their children are no longer beaten with canes and straps at school.

Cheer up Tony. Perhaps you should do some research into conditions and attitudes 100 years ago and not wish them on our presentday society. Annabel Cameron

Dunedin