and Engineering and were drawn from questions raised in the House of Assembly and public meetings.

Question: Are businesses in St. George's to take their recyclables up to the drop off bins? Answer: At the time of answering these questions, yes. We will however, be developing a collection system for the entire town.

Q: Are the Blue Bags biodegradable? A: The Blue Bags are not biodegradable as the additives for biodegradability interfere with recycling efforts. Our preference is to recycle the bags, rather than dispose of them.

Q: Are the Blue Bags recyclable? A: Yes.

Q: Could Blue Bags be provided to schools? A: Yes. We will likely mail them out to households first to ensure that people without school children receive them as well.

Q: Will the revenues from the Blue Recycling Bags be put back into the Waste Collection Programme? A: Not at this time. The cost of the bags will cover wholesale and retail costs only.

Q: Will there be enough newspaper for animal bedding? A: We will probably have too much, so we are also looking at composting and overseas recycling as well.

Q: Will there be a charge for the animal bedding? A: Eventually, yes. However, it will be less expensive than the alternatives.

Q: Can we find someone overseas to take the corrugated cardboard for reuse? A: Not for re-use but probably for recycling.

Q: What about coloured newspaper? A: It can be placed with other newspaper. However, we cannot recycle coloured glossy paper such as magazines.

Q: What is the maximum amount of recyclables expected? A: About 11,000 tonnes per year not including plastics. Q: Can we move more rapidly to household collection of recyclables? A: The only delay is arranging collection. We anticipate start up in November 1992.

Q: Has Government considered recycling/reuse of used motor oil in Bermuda, rather than shipping overseas? A: Yes, but this area still requires further research.

Q: Is there any room in Government's plan to encourage private recycling projects similar to the 'rag and bone man' system? A: Yes, nothing discourages it and revised tipping fees should actually encourage it.

Q: If Government's recycling and composting projects are to be successful, will there still be enough trash to keep the Tyne's Bay incinerator running 24 hours a day? A: Yes.

Q: Why don't we separate our recyclables the way other countries have to? A: The main reason is that we do not have to colour separate glass. We are also using the same collection vehicles for recyclables and trash. Also, in Bermuda, bags are preferable to boxes due to windier conditions (and therefore more litter).

Q: What costs can be recovered from sales of recyclables and compost? A: The sale of compost will hopefully cover the processing costs. The sale of recyclables will likely only cover shipping costs.

Q: What commitment if any, do we have from cruise ships and hotels that they will cooperate? A: We have spoken to a few of them. So far they are all keen to participate as soon as we have a programme ready for them.

Q: Why don't we enforce the use of biodegradable bags and ban polystyrene? A: Biodegradable (plastic) bags do not have a net environmental benefit.

Caution is needed when banning items such as polystyrene since the alternative products are often more environmentally damaging.

Q: How does the Corporation of Hamilton fit into our plans? A: We are working with the Corporation to develop a comprehensive collection programme within the City limits.

Q: Is Government going to change its policies on recycling, reduction, and purchase of recycled goods? A: Many policies are already in place. We hope others will follow that will further encourage the use of environmentally superior products and promote waste reduction.

Q: What should we put our recyclables into for curb side recycling? A: Translucent Blue Bags which will be on sale shortly in local stores.

Alternatively, a Blue Box can be used. These will also be on sale in local stores.

Q: Is there an advantage to having the material shredded? A: No, we prefer that the material not be shredded.

Q: Can the shipping containers take the cardboard boxes back since the containers) are empty when they go back? A: Yes, we are hoping to obtain reduced shipping rates.

Q: What is the plan for handling chemical wastes, e.g. dry cleaning fluids? A: We will establish a "Special Waste Programme'' that enables everyone to deliver their wastes to us for processing.

Q: Have we correlated hazardous waste generation sites with ground water contamination? A: Ground water chemistry is continually monitored and so far no correlation between specific generators and ground water contamination have been observed.

Q: Is there a timetable for separation of hazardous wastes? A: Yes, prior to July 1993.

Q: How much of our resources will be put into waste reduction? A: All of our efforts, such as education and societal restructuring from all community sectors are geared towards waste reduction while meeting our immediate disposal needs.

Q: Why are there still batteries disposed of at the Airport Dump? A: There are still some implementation problems, but we are working to resolve them. This practice will be totally discontinued as soon as possible.

Q: We are sending aluminium away, why not plastics? A: Because the costs of shipping are high and the revenues are low. It would be better if plastics were recycled in Bermuda. Alternatively, they can be incinerated.

Q: How does Government plan to dispose of plastics? A: Plastics will mainly be disposed of through incineration, if recycling locally or overseas does not prove practical.

Q: Does this cause hazardous air pollution? A: No.

Q: Could we not start a bottle deposit scheme to deter bottle littering? A: This could be done but this would be more costly and less effective than other alternatives.

Q: How is the public to be advised of how and where they can dispose of such items as batteries, used oil, etc.? A: The public will be informed through direct mailing, schools, newspapers, radio and television.

Q: What about recycling broken glass? A: Our glass is crushed prior to being used as an aggregate, so broken glass is not a problem. However, we are concerned about broken glass injuring our collection crews.

Q: Why don't we get the prisoners to do the work? A: There are usually supervisory problems. However, it is an idea worth investigating.

RECYCLING BINS, now locted across the Island, will be superseded by a weekly household collection system for recyclable goods later this year.