Pointers on Public Cleansing
Page 36
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THE METHODS OF AN IMPORTANT CITY
THE deputy city engineer of Leicester, Mr. J. E. Lewis, A.M.Inst.C.E., presented a paper entitled "Some Notes on Public Cleansing." In general, it dealt with the system in operation in Leicester for refuse collection and disposal, and street cleansing. In referring to the system of collection, he mentioned that, by arrangement with certain neighbouring authorities, bins are collected from outside the present city limits, the city and these areas being divided into 10 districts of a size according to the average haul, length of carry, accessibility of bins, etc.
In general, the relay system is in force, each gang having two vehicles and both vehicles starting together. One has, at first, two loaders, she other having eight. The latter is quickly despatched to the destructor, all the loaders proceeding to fill the second vehicle. They are then loaded alternately, one going to the destructor while the other is being loaded.
This method of splitting the gangs is also used at the mid-day break, and at the end of the day, to ensure that both vehicles are loaded and proceed to the discharge point together. The drivers work half an hour longer daily than do the loaders, because they have to proceed to the destructors and thence to the depot. The drivers also load and each vehicle has a spare driver.
Electries and Petrol Vehicles Used.
Two districts are served, each by two battery electrics and 10 men ; six have two petrol vehicles each and 10 men; the remaining two, cne battery electric each and five men. Each electric vehicle collects 3,561. bins per week and each petrol vehicle 4,668 bins. Two spare petrol vehicles are kept in case of breakdown, or to assist when the work is "behind." One electric vehicle and three men are at present detailed to collect refuse in three districts where, owing to rapid building development, the number of bins has increased so that the regular gangs cannot complete the work. This temporary expedient is employed pending an early extension of the city boundaries, which may involve a complete rearrangement. One electric and a petrol vehicle are kept for general haulage, and another electric and a horsed vehicle for trade refuse.
The continuous system is employed, the gangs in each district having a predetermined starting point, and the bins being emptied in strict rotation throughout the week, A round book is kept by the gang, and every bin in the district and the order in which it should be emptied are recorded.
The practice in respect of trade refuse is to collect one bin from each premises free of charge, additional refuse being charged at 3d. per bin or 7s. 6d. per cartioad if in full loads, 10s. for small lorry loads, and £1 for large lorry loads. If the trade refuse be delivered at the destructors by the tradesmen, 4s. per ton is charged. Accounts are rendered monthly and the approximate annual charges to tradesmen amount to £1,000. This covers approximately 3,000 shops. The refuse from hotels and boarding houses is considered as house refuse.