Waste & Backcourts
The SBI has found that the main, and sometimes sole, use of tenement backcourts is the storage of waste. For many people, putting out rubbish is the only time they are in their backcourts.
Waste is a problem no matter where you live. Storing it, collecting it and separating it for recycling causes problems for residents of all types of housing, and for the local authorities who are responsible for its disposal. However, tenement backcourts present some very specific challenges to residents, waste collection teams and recycling programmes, and offer some exciting opportunities.
Tenements - the challenges
Access & security
Waste collection teams are given a tight timescale to make their rounds and, while residents understandably want to keep security doors and backcourts locked, the collection team would like to get in and out as fast as possible. In addition to the security issue, physical access to a backcourt can involve internal and external stairs, narrow passages and other obstacles. This can be a time consuming and frustrating problem for both residents and council staff.Monitoring
Monitoring recycling in areas where each household has their own set of bins is quite straightforward. However, in tenements with a common bin area and shared bins, it is not easy to identify the reluctant recycler. If even one resident in the tenement is not able or willing to separate their waste correctly, the whole collection can be contaminated and useless for recycling.The future
Backcourts are not refurbished regularly - it is a major work that may only occur once every 15 or 20 years. During the last major investment of Glasgow backcourts, in the late 1970’s, bin shelters were built to accommodate the small metal bins that were standard at the time. These are now woefully inadequate to deal with the amount of rubbish we generate. During any plan for backcourt development, the future possibilities for storage and collection of waste have to be considered.Tenements - the opportunities
Backcourt redevelopment
There is an excellent opportunity to improve waste storage and collection systems when backcourts and closes are being improved. Consultation and negotiation with everyone involved – residents, council departments, landlords, architects and contractors – can result in improved layouts and security systems that will give the collection teams quick and easy access without compromising the security of the residents.Re-use
Re-use of second-hand consumer goods (furniture, clothing, books, electrical goods, baby equipment, etc.) diverts many tonnes of waste from landfill through charity shops, furniture projects and web-based networks such as Freecycle and Freeshare. Within a backcourt, there may be opportunities for immediate re-use within the tenement, or for collectively storing re-usable items for sorting and pick-up by community projects and charities.Separation
Within a backcourt, there is the opportunity to separate waste into more ‘streams’, e.g. not just ‘paper’, but different grades of paper – newsprint, glossy magazines, cardboard, etc. The more separated recyclables are, the greater the value. This kind of separation is best done at source, by the residents who fill the bins. There may also be opportunities for residents to raise funds by collecting the high value materials – usually aluminium – for their own profit.Composting
Organic waste – grass clippings, vegetable peelings, uneaten food, etc. - is one of the biggest problems in landfill sites. Despite what many people think, it does not become compost when buried with the rest of our household rubbish, but instead rots and produces methane, one of the worst of the greenhouse gasses. Taking organic waste out of our rubbish bins and landfill sites is a priority for those who deal with waste.Composting is the perfect way to deal with this type of waste. Composting in a backcourt will provide a greater volume of waste, a better mix of different kinds of organics and a larger pool of people to assist – all assets for community composting. The results can then be used directly in the backcourt, which gives the extra environmental benefit of saving the transport costs which would have been needed to remove the waste and to bring compost from the garden centre.
Where to find out more
Here are some key organisations that are dealing with waste issues in Scotland. Don’t forget to contact your own local authority first, as they will have the responsibility of dealing with your household waste.SEPA – Scottish Environmental Protection Agency
SEPA produced the Scottish Waste Strategy, oversees all the Area Waste Strategies, and collates recycling progress reports from all the local authorities.
CRNS - Community Recycling Network for Scotland
CRNS is a great contact point for the many small-scale recycling and composting projects that are taking place across Scotland. CRNS is also co-ordinating ‘Master Composter’ courses which provide training for local volunteers in all aspects of composting.
Waste Aware Scotland
Provides information, resources and practical ideas for minimising waste.
Freecycle
Freecycle groups match people who have things they want to get rid of with people who can use them. The goal is to keep usable items out of landfills.
In Glasgow there is also Glasgow Freeshare.
The Community Composting Network
A UK wide network of composting projects.
Waste Online
In depth information about all types of waste, recyclable materials and recycling processes.
Waste facts
The amount of waste we produce has been increasing until every individual produces an average of 511 kilos - 80.5 stone of rubbish each year! (DEFRA statistics from 05/06).In Scotland, an average of 25% of all the waste collected was recycled or composted in 2005/06. In 2000/01, that figure was less than 5% (Key Scottish Environment Statistics 2007, SE publication).
Click here to download Waste & Backcourts information sheet
