Chris Maclean: Dear Mr Healy, please find enclosed one low-energy lamp that no longer works...

To:

John Healy MP
Minister for Pubs
Department for Communities and Local Govt
Eland House
Bressenden Place
London SW1E 5DU

Dear Mr Healy,

Please find enclosed one low-energy lamp that no longer works. I am sorry that I find it necessary to send it to you, but I can honestly think of no other practicable means of disposing of it.

Like many businesses up and down the land we are attempting to achieve our green potential. A significant part of the waste we generate is inert cardboard and glass. We turn down our thermostats and we use low energy lamps. Most of us want to do our bit for our communities and our environment.

Sadly recycling our paper and glass isn't really an option. We cannot take our materials to a recycling point for two reasons; businesses are not permitted to transport their own waste without a licence and we are not permitted to use the public sites. Therefore much of the clean, recyclable materials go to land fill.

But our low energy lamp creates a whole new problem. The 2007 WEEE Regulations prohibit the disposal of these lamps in landfill bins. Additionally the Environmental Protection Act 1990 also prohibits businesses from moving their rubbish. So I can't put it in the bin, I can't take it to the tip and, if I took it to the tip the Local Authority would prohibit me from leaving it there.

So I confess I am utterly perplexed. I want to do the right thing but I cannot work out how. So I thought I'd post it to you as our Minister of Pubs. You said you wanted to help us. And this will be by far the cheapest, safest and most legal way of disposing of them.

My thanks and best wishes

Chris Maclean
Innkeeper
The Railway Hotel
Preston Street
FAVERSHAM
Kent ME13 8PE