The long awaited kerbside collection of recyclable materials for households in the ‘eastern’ area of the Island had its official launch earlier today (Tuesday).

Department of Local Government & the Environment member, Dudley Butt MLC, who has political responsibility for ‘waste’, announced to a gathering of politicians, officers and representatives of several ‘Green’ organisations how pleased he was in being able to bring together the three authorities and the DLGE to get the service off the ground.

He emphasized how well the ‘partnership’ had worked together, along side the good team in Waste Operations division of DLGE, and that a “good step forward” is being made towards improving the management of ‘waste’ on the Island.

He explained that in addition to the materials already collected for recycling that plastics would, for the first time, be targeted for removing from the waste stream; and that this was just one element of the planned greater emphasis on recycling.

Before handing over to the Minister, he concluded by saying that he hoped the scheme would last for a long time and that he believed the commitment existed to see the service continue beyond the initial 3 year period funded by DLGE.

DLGE Minister, John Shimmin MHK admitted that he had left most of the ‘work’ to Mr Butt to get the scheme going but reiterated that it was necessary for him to continue to drive things forward.

Acknowledging the presence of IOM Friends of the Earth co-ordinator, Phil Corlett he said it was vitally important to keep people like Phil, and Muriel Garland of Zero Waste Mann, ‘on board’ and to maintain their support.

He also pointed out how this initiative had proved that three of the most contentious local authorities could work together.

He reminded the audience that his department has responsibility for promoting ‘environmental policy’, but although he believes the IOM is way behind in many respects it is overall a very small ‘polluter’.

However, he said he senses the publics’ appetite for the introduction of new environmental policies and - whilst remarking that East Douglas MHK, Brenda Cannell (and a former IOM FOE activist) had told him she had been waiting 18 years for this day - he admitted what is being launched may not be perfect but we will get there in the end.

The vehicles being used in the scheme are now to do ‘tour’ of the local authority areas over the next few days to allow the public to view them, and meet with representatives of the partnership and ask any questions.

Two boxes, for the recyclables, will be delivered in the next couple of weeks to all households involved in the scheme along with instructions and a collection calendar. The service will commence the first week in November and is budgeted to cost about £300,000 per year to run.