Decision details

A recommendation to note that the shared waste service is working on changes to collection routes that will have impacts on some residents bin collection days in the Summer of 2023.

Matter for Decision

Greater Cambridge Shared waste service was responsible for collecting domestic waste from 127,000 households and Commercial waste from 4,000 businesses across Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire.

Due to the extensive amount of growth across both Districts, collection rounds had expanded at a significant rate since they were last reviewed in 2017, resulting in the need for review and optimisation now. The service was conducting a routine routes optimisation exercise due for completion in Summer 2023 to address this issue.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Environment, Climate Change and Biodiversity

Noted the Shared Waste Service was working on a route optimisation exercise that would result in collection day changes for residents during the Summer. Until the first phase of the exercise was complete the level of impact on residents was unknown, but It was anticipated there may be a period of disruption to services whilst new rounds settled down and collection crews got to grips with changes.

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Head of Climate, Environment & Waste.

The Head of Climate, Environment & Waste said the following in response to Members’ questions:

      i.         No details were available on how the four day working week would affect the service. A report would be brought back in future to a Cambridge City Council Committee. (Post meeting note: The report is expected to be presented to the Strategy & Resources Scrutiny Committee meeting on 3 July 2023).

    ii.         In order to recycle clothing and encourage people to do so:

a.    Various recycling banks were available across the South Cambs and Cambridge City areas.

b.    Repair shops could allow people to swap dirty clothes (eg paint stained ones) for clean clothes, or provide a cleaning service.

The Executive Councillor:

        i.         Acknowledged that clothing and textile recycling could be an issue.

      ii.          Two things were required to undertake recycling:

a.    Collection points.

b.    Someone who wanted to recycle paper, plastic, clothing etc.

    iii.          Encouraged people to donate usable clothing to charity shops.

    iv.         Non-wearable clothing should not go in blue bins, and preferably not to landfill. Suggestions on how to recycle it were welcome. People were cautious about accepting stained clothing for recycling.

      v.         More could be done to promoted recycling facilities. Noted the suggestion to promote clothing recycling campaigns through RECAPP (organisation).

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendation.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.