I have to have a rant here. Not only is there the free Metro newspaper every morning, but now when you walk through London in the evening you're having London Lite and The London Paper thrust at you.
I've two issues here - it's more people getting in the way and more people day dreaming whilst reading when you're trying to get home; but more importantly for this site - what about the paper?
Yes, the papers may well be printed on recycled paper (or at least I hope they are as many newspapers have at least a high percentage of recycled pulp in them) but what about the disposal of these papers. I have a 20 minute walk through London each evening, and tonight I counted 1 paper recycling point, lots of newspapers shoved in bins and lots lying around at bus stops and on the ground. All of these extra papers (thousands of them) are just going into landfill. I wouldn't mind so much if the printers were providing recycling facilities, therefore completing the chain, but they aren't.
Does anyone know of any campaigns for this to take place?
Reply to this article / Report this article
Replying to this comment:
Well further to my entry on Sunday, it's been announced that the papers are being formally asked to reduce the number of vendors on the streets for saftey reasons. They have been asked to reduce down to just 15 per paper instead of the existing estimate of 60. They haven't been asked to reduce the number of papers issued, but this quote from the Guardian is positive:
""We have noticed that our recycling bins have become fuller since the introduction of the new free newspapers," said Leith Penny, the director of environment and leisure for Westminster. "We have met with News International and Associated Newspapers to discuss the issues of recycling, litter and the numbers of distributors. I am sure we can arrive at a sensible arrangement that allows Westminster to keep its streets clean and the companies to distribute their papers," Dr Penny said."
Reply to this comment