Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Interim Head of Service (Operations) regarding the revised waste policies and the proposed consultation on options for waste minimisation and potential charges for bin replacements

  i.  Endorses the revised Waste Collection Policies, as attached as Appendix 1 of the submitted report, with the revision to Policy 3 – Number of Wheeled Bins and Sacks Provided, that up to two additional 240litre bins for green and food waste can be provided on request subject to an annual charge; and

  ii.  Approves the consultation on the options for waste minimisation and potential charges for bin replacements, as detailed in the submitted report, subject to consultations not commencing until the new Municipal Year.

By way of a report from the Interim Head of Service (Operations), presented in his absence by Corporate Director (Services) (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet considered the revised waste policies and the consultation on the options for waste minimisation and potential charges for bin replacements.

The Cabinet was informed of a correction to Policy 3 ‘Number of Wheeled Bins and Sacks Provided’, and it was confirmed that up to two additional 240 litre bins for green and food waste could be provided on request subject to an annual charge, not one bin as detailed in the Policy.

The waste collection policies had been reviewed to ensure they were fully customer focused and represent the best practice for top performing local authorities. 

A new Policy for lane end collection arrangements had been developed based on the results of a detailed survey of individual locations.  Bespoke collection arrangements had been identified for implementation along with the operational policies and procedures against which these arrangements would be managed.

A rejections policy was also included in respect of repeated contamination of recycling and garden waste bins.  Residents would be provided with details of ongoing contamination and allowed time to resolve the issues, which would be deemed as the ‘first yellow card warning’.  If further contamination incidents occured a ‘second yellow card warning’ would be issued, followed by a ‘red card’, concluding with the removal of the bin.  No additional capacity would be provided for waste collection if a bin was removed.  The Cabinet emphasised that the yellow and red card warning system only applied to recycling and garden waste bins.

In response to questions, it was explained that Amey Cespa monitored the waste taken to its treatment centre and determined whether the waste was contaminated to a level that it should be rejected.  There was an 8% tolerance regarding contamination above which the Council was charged.  It was noted to the Cabinet that the Council had a low rejection rate.  Contamination occurred most frequently in garden waste which had health and safety implications for the recycling operatives that emptied the bins.

The Cabinet noted that a Waste Minimisation Officer was in post to assist with increasing recycling rates.  The Cabinet acknowledged that the Corporate Plan included measures relating to recovery of missed bins and to reducing the level of household waste sent to landfill.  However, the Cabinet suggested that the measure should be about increasing recycling levels.

To reduce the waste produced by households, the Cabinet approved the following three options for public consultation to reduce the grey bin capacity on domestic collection, subject to consultations not commencing until the new Municipal Year:

-  Option 1: Issue 140 litre bins to all new properties, unless built to accommodate 6 plus residents, and an additional 240 litre blue bin can be provided for recyclates on request.  A 140 litre bin would be provided to any resident requesting a smaller bin.

-  Option 2: Issue 140 litre bins to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 93

The Review of Waste Policies is to be presented to the Panel.

With the aid of a report by the Interim Head of Operations (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) Review of Waste Policies was presented to the Panel. The review considers the following policies: lane end collection arrangements; rejections policy in respect of repeated contamination of bins; options for reducing the bin capacity on domestic collection (grey bins) to reduce the waste produced by households; and options for charging for replacement bins that have been damaged, lost or stolen.

Members have been informed that despite the awareness campaign the Council are still receiving contaminated waste. Where it is possible to identify the resident responsible the Council will visit the resident to re-educate and ensure contamination does not occur in the future.  As a last resort consideration would be given to removing the bin from the resident.

In respect of damaged, lost or stolen bins, the Panel has been informed that bins that have been damaged by the refuse collection crews will be replaced free of charge. As the bins have a life expectancy of 10 years, so long as the resident has not had a replacement bin within that period then the resident would not be charged for the replacement.

In terms of the three options for reducing the bin capacity, the Panel has been informed that all three options would go out to consultation. Members have expressed that the preferred option is to issue 140 litre bins to all new properties unless they have been built to accommodate six or more residents but providing an additional 240 litre blue bin for recyclates on request; and providing 140 litre bins to any property requesting a replacement bin.

Following a question from the Panel in regards to the wording of the bin capacity options Members were informed that if a resident would like a smaller bin all they would be required to do is request one.

(At 8.22pm, during the discussion of this item, Councillors R Fuller and Ms L Kadi? left the meeting).