Issue - meetings

Matter for Decision:  

To decide on the way forward in terms of increasing recycling.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Environmental and Waste Services:

              i.      Agreed that officers carry out further detailed work taking into consideration the final report from MEL and look at the effectiveness of different strategies to increase the overall recycling rate.

            ii.      Agreed to include the strategy within the Portfolio plan for 2013/14 

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 Refuse and Environment regarding recycling options. This was accompanied by a consultant presentation. Phillip Wells of M-E-L Research presented his research report regarding evaluation of kerbside waste and recycling via compositional analysis and participation monitoring.

In response to members’ questions Mr Wells and Head of Refuse and Environment confirmed the following:

              i.      There was high participation with the current recycling options.

            ii.      The public engage less well with food waste recycling. It was suggested that there are a variety of reasons for this including; lack of appropriate storage within the home, fears of leaving waste food loose in the bin between fortnightly collections and waste food being disposed of still in it’s original packaging.

          iii.      Free food caddies and brown paper bags were currently available to the public for food waste. At members’ suggestion, the cost of caddies with carbon filters to minimise odours would be investigated.

         iv.      Recycling champions had been recruited and their role would be increased in future. A new member of staff has been recruited and would lead on this. Improved publicity around the champions was also planned.

           v.      Future options for recycling partners would be considered in the near future. The existing partnerships had worked well and Viridor had provided a good service.

         vi.      A decision on the bid to the Department of Communities and Local Government for funding for the collection of food waste from flats was expected shortly. If the bid was successful there would be resource implication including funding for the scheme in years 4 and 5 and officer time.

       vii.      Options for recycling textiles would be investigated.

     viii.      Future research would investigate the socio economic spread of recycling with a view to targeting promotional and education initiatives.

         ix.      Members also suggested that further work was needed to encourage safe disposal of hazardous domestic waste such as light bulbs and batteries. 

The Committee resolved unanimously to endorse the recommendations.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.

Conflicts of interest declared by the Executive Councillor (and any dispensations granted)

Not applicable.