Shocked to hear no mention of recycling

I watched the programme Hoarders which featured a Bath resident, Paul. I have not watched the programme before, but what I found truly shocking was the complete failure to mention the word “recycling” even once.

Empty jars, tins, plastic, batteries – there is so much that can be left at the kerbside. Much of what was in the house could have gone to one of the charity shops, or even directly to a charity like Julian House, which periodically appeals for men’s clothing and bedding. There are also special collections at Keynsham of electrical goods and items of furniture.

As Paul is in ill health, he could get council help to remove large items of furniture for a very modest fee. I have got rid of sofas, chairs and mattresses this way.

OK, I was brought up in the postwar austerity era when you did not waste a thing, but still it was shocking to see nine skipsful being taken away – where?

Bath and North East Somerset Council gets fined if it exceeds the levels of landfill the Government sets. Actually, residents are extremely good at recycling, compared with national figures, but those skips could potentially have cost us.

It would seem that the programme was made before the Covid emergency as there was no sign of masks or social distancing, but nevertheless even before the council declared a climate emergency, it was very clear that this kind of waste was doing damage to the environment.

The council could also get the garden cleared, though the resident would be charged for the service.

I would appreciate it if you would draw your readers’ attention to the services B&NES offers.

Eleanor M Jackson (Cllr) Radstock