Proposal for the collection of rubbish in the Old Town of Corfu!

Proposals for Cambielo

1. A door to door system for the collection of rubbish. 

2. Two dustman equipped with broom, pan and dust trolley, will begin to collect rubbish bags left by the residents at their entrances. The route will be predetermined and agreed by the Municipal of Corfu and the residents. The routes should be completed within the set time.

example: roads A,B,C and D together with side roads their residents should take out and leave their refuse at their entrances at specific times between 08:00 - 09:00 am, or at a time agreed with the Municipal of Corfu. One dustman to each side of the road will undertake the collection of the bags on their side of the road. As they fill their trolleys they will unload at regular intervals at predetermined refuse drops that will be posted around the Old Town perimeter. This will also avoid carrying heavy weight.

Residents Responsibilities

a. To be punctual regarding the predetermined time for refuse collection.

b. Refuse to be deposited in strong bags to avoid refuse spilling on to the road and pathways. Without holes to avoid bad odour especially in the summer months. 

c. If the resident does not manage to get their refuse out on time they must not leave it in the road. They should keep it inside until the next collection or take it themselves to their nearest refuse drop.

Municipal of Corfu Responsibilities

a. To be consistent in their times and routes.

b. To make residents aware of the scheme.

3. The refuse collected will be sorted and the relevant parts recycled. (later we will look at the produce of compost from refuse).

4. There will be separate collection days for recycled waste and general waste.

5. Residents of high rise flats should create a team to collect their rubbish and help the residents that are not physically able.

example: Residents leaving very early for work on the day of collection and cannot take out their rubbish at the required time should leave their rubbish outside their door. Their good neighbour will then take the rubbish as they pass with their own and put it outside the entrance of the building. This is very important as there are many cases of old age residents that cannot carry and drop their refuse bags out of the window on to the ground outside, this has undesired effects. In these cases they should be informed to leave their refuse bags outside their door and a good neighbour will take it out for them.

6. Of great importance is to remove all large wheelie bins from the cantounia. They are always neglected, overfilled, dirty, attract rats, give out awful odour and become centres of health hazards. We propose at selected sites in all neighbourhoods there should be placed larger bins or small containers. Even better to be placed underground and have crushing facilities so that they can fit more refuse and not need emptying everyday which saves resources and helps with traffic congestion and noise, this will also rid the OLd Town of unsightly views and smells especially in tourist season.

7. Small and attractive in a style that suits the Old Town litter bins to be placed in many of the cantounia. These will be emptied everyday by the dustmen on duty as they collect the larger refuse from the residents.

8. A telephone number to be provided by the Municipal of Corfu for the collection of larger items such as Fridges, washing machines, bed mattresses, etc,etc. This will avoid these items being dumped on the streets as they now are.

9. Another problem is that we have dumping of hardcore from house renovation. It should be made clear that the builder will be responsible for their hardcore and will have to dispose of it at sites stipulated by the Municipal of Corfu.

10. We understand that the Municipal Police are stretched beyond their resources but we request that at least once a week they patrol neighbourhoods randomly to enforce the law on litter. They will take note and report names, time and place of such persons that dump rubbish. This will then be on file and if they are caught a second time fines will be enforced.

All the above needs to be discussed between the Municipal of Corfu, the residents and shop owners of Corfu. All parties need to have an understanding and come to agreement in order to solve the problem.

If we want our Island and Old Town which is part of  UNESCO to be a clean place for our residents and our tourists that will spread the good word we need to work together to change the situation of  today.

With all the above said it is a proposal that can be added to or amended for better or greater result which will be decided by the residents, shop owners and the Municipal of Corfu.

 Thank you for your time.