[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Holborn Borough].

  • Holborn (London, England). Metropolitan Borough.
Date:
1931
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

Credit: [Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Holborn Borough]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    25/146 (page 19)
    19 (f) Break-down of vehicles causing delay in collection of refuse. (g) Complaints received of non-collection, delay, etc. (h) Spillage or litter made by dustmen and not properly cleared up. (i) Generally on any matters relating to or arising in connection with the removal of refuse. Litter on the Public Way. Much attention continued to be paid to the question of litter on the public highways. Part of the litter, but by no means all, is from refuse bins placed on the footway in front of houses in main streets waiting the early morning daily collection. Generally the litter from this source comes from one or more of the following causes: — (a) Refuse blown from overloaded bins. In this connection efforts are made to ensure the provision and use of sufficient ashbins to contain the refuse produced and so avoid overloading. (b) The use of uncovered bins. Communications drawing attention to the use of uncovered bins are sent to occupiers whenever bins without lids are found put out on the public way. Also every opportunity is taken to advocate the use of a special bin now on the market with an attached lid. A considerable number of occupiers of premises in the Borough have adopted this type of bin which in actual use is proving satisfactory. It ensures a covered bin, and is moreover an advantage to the occupier because it avoids the loss of the bin lid, an experience so often complained of when the lids are detachable. (c) Spilling resulting from the turning over of the refuse by totters or children. To prevent interference with the refuse by totters or children, the police have been invited to co-operate by taking any possible action to stop the practice. Teachers in elementary schools have also been asked to include in their lessons on hygiene reference to the practice common amongst children—boys particularly—of searching in the dustbins for cigarette cards, etc., a habit at once objectionable and unhygienic. (d) The use of improper or/and defective bins. The use of improper receptacles such as cardboard boxes, tea chests, crates, paper parcels, etc., is a frequent source of trouble, as is also the use of defective metal receptacles. It is necessary constantly to direct attention to the use of such containers. A large part of the litter on our highways does not come from dustbins, such as smokers' refuse, cigarette cartons, used matches, empty match boxes, etc. Towards the end of 1929, as an attempt in some way to meet the position a suggestion was made to a largo firm of tobacconists with many retail shops, that the Company concerned should lead the way in placing litter bins in their shops, and, if possible, persuading restaurants where their goods are sold to do the same. A reply was received from the Chairman and Managing Director of the Company appreciating the suggestion and the spirit in which it was made and promising consideration. Action in this direction would have an educational value in addition to its immediate practical benefit. Reference may also be made to the action taken by the London General Omnibus Company, Limited, in the display of notices in their vehicles asking passengers to leave used tickets in the omnibus; in a number of their omnibuses the Company have provided boxes, conveniently placed for use as receptacles for used tickets. Removal of Manure. The removal of manure from the various mews in the Borough was satisfactorily carried out during the year. Again no complaint was received, but one notice was served in respect of an unsatisfactory manure receptacle; the necessary improvement was effected. B 2