The bin bugs debate continues in the Chronicle

Four pages of this week's Chronicle are given over to the electronic 'bugs' now fitted to the green and grey recycling bins in the Crewe & Nantwich Borough Council area. Arguments are put by both sides of the debate with most residents' letters focussing on what they believe is an invasion of privacy because the introduction of the bugs was not publicised. The Council, and the South Cheshire Friends of the Earth branch, argue equally strongly in favour of the monitoring programme.

The local Friends of the Earth branch, which has many supporters in Audlem, is backing the initiative as a step in the right direction for the whole country, which currently lies near the bottom of the European league table for waste recycling. A spokeswoman also emphasised ways of helping to reduce the amount of waste. Group campaign and education co-ordinator Tania Sayer said: "A good starting point is to purchase loose fruit and vegetables as opposed to packaged ones. By not purchasing food or items with up to six layers of packaging, you can begin to reduce your household waste."

She went on to say: "Friends of the Earth fully support the weighing of recycling bins so that the culprits who are causing harm to the country can be identified. We would strongly advocate a change to the law which would enable the authorities to charge individuals or householders for not recycling."

The start of the Audlem Vote Poll on this issue confirms there are very much two sides to this issue. The voting is fairly evenly split so far with only a small majority against the bugs. You can vote by selecting Yes/No/Unsure and clicking on 'Vote Now' in the Vote Poll box to the right. You can check on voting to date by clicking on 'View Results' below the 'Vote Now' box.

More tomorrow, when the question of why this issue doesn't appear to have been discussed by local councillors will be raised. Could a body established by John Prescott to enforce ethical standards in local government be preventing debate on many issues, perhaps in this case preventing councillors debating or voting on the bin bugs because all local councillors have wheelie bins themselves? It's a story that will have you checking your diary to make sure 1st April hasn't come around too soon.

This article is from our news archive. As a result pictures or videos originally associated with it may have been removed and some of the content may no longer be accurate or relevant.