While I can’t resist a pun-headline, waste is an important issue.

Litter bins in particular are of concern to many up and down Bathwick Hill. Over the course of the last two years, Armand and I have had to harrass the council bin department about the replacement of three bins on the hill, at the canal bridge, opposite Cleveland Walk and at the top bus stop.

This month though, I have had the minor triumph of an all-new bin being installed at the very top of the hill. This is at the junction of Bathwick Hill, North Road, Copseland, Oakley and The Avenue – a rather busy pedestrian intersection, especially with the foot path access to the university. This is a prime location for students walking to and from campus, and also catches them leaving the bus here, as pointed out by members of the Beech Avenue Residents’ Association at their last AGM.

However, even the expension of our litter bin network is only maintenance; it does not develop our approach to waste. The Liberal Democrats have long argued for a ‘Zero Waste’ policy, which tackles the entire length of the waste chain. This is why, for example, we are opposed to the Bristol incinerator; provision of an easy ‘solution’ does not encourage recycling or deter production (of excess packaging for example).

At the most recent council cabinet meeting, I asked the Conservatives about putting recycling bins on the street, alongside normal litter bins. I had first asked about this in November 2007. The answer, paraphrased, is that the trials of recycling bins in parks, that the inherited from the Liberal Democrat administration 2 years ago, are continuing successfully. No moves have been made to expand this into the street.

Somewhat disappointing.