A presentation will be given at the meeting.
Minutes:
Councillor Tony Isherwood (Cabinet Member Environment) attended the meeting along with Neil Long (Assistant Director Operations) and Talat Afzal (Recycling Awareness Officer). A presentation was given setting out changes to the ways that refuse and recycling bins would be collected across the borough and why these changes were necessary.
It was explained that the Council had to find savings of £16m for the 2015/2016 financial year and many options were being considered. Bury’s recycling figures had risen from 27% in 2011 to 47% currently but it was hoped that by encouraging more residents to recycle their waste more efficiently the percentage could be raised to 60% or more. This would then help to achieve a saving of over £1m and also help the borough to become greener.
The Council was paid £25 per tonne for green bin waste (paper and card) and £25 per tonne for blue bin waste (glass, plastics and metal) it also raised income by producing compost from the brown bin waste (garden and food waste).
The new collection rounds would commence in the second week of October and all residents would see a change to their current service.
Brown bins would be emptied every two weeks, blue and green bins would be emptied every three weeks as would the grey bin. The days on which the bins were emptied would also change for some residents.
It was explained that all of the information relating to the days on which the bins would be emptied was currently being delivered to every household in the borough along with information on what to put in each bin.
Those present were given the opportunity to ask questions and make comments and the following points were raised:
· Why were brown bins being collected on a Saturday? This will provide households with a further collection in the lead up to the changes, if required.
· In response to a question about the type/grades of plastics that can be recycled, the Cabinet Member explained that work was ongoing with Virridor and Greater Manchester Waste to increase the number of recyclables. Some plastics were of such a low grade it was not possible to recycle them further.
· How much will this cost and how much will it save? – The cost of the changes will be cost neutral in the first year and will save the council a significant amount.
· Why can’t some of the items identified for the grey bin be recycled? – Some packages are made from such low grade plastic that there is no market for its recycling and it would be sorted and put in land fill anyway.
· Why do flats not have a recycling scheme? – Most flats do have a scheme. If this is not the case please contact the council and the Recycling Awareness Team will meet and discuss this with the residents in order to produce a scheme.
· If there is severe weather, will the bin collection happen the day after if? – The aim is to collect on the days specified. If the weather is that severe the collection will take place on the next day or when it is possible to do so.
· Can help be given for people with dementia and struggle with separating items and which bin to use instead of fining them? The access team will work with residents on request to make sure they use the correct bin.
· Is information being circulated regarding bin collection days? – Yes, leaflets are being issued to all properties in the borough.
· How is the number/size of bins decided for flats? - An assessment is made of the number of people who live In the flats and the number of bins is then agreed with the residents
· Why can’t bottle tops be put in with the bottles in the plastic and glass recycle bin? - The advice from the management at the refuse processing plant is that the plastic bottle tops clog up the sorter conveyor belt and they should be put in the residual waste bin for landfill.
· How long is the life expectancy of a wheelie bin? - 30years.
· Who pays if the council break the bin? - The council will replace free of charge if this happens. You can speak to the Recycling Awareness Team who have the discretion to allow the replacements. A new will cost £30.
· Why haven’t more residents been consulted, why not consult door to door? - The council has very limited resources, consulting on a door to door is not an efficient use of resources for the 80,000 properties in Bury.
· Will the Council people going to be encouraged to compost food waste? Yes and discounted compost bins are available.
The Chair thanked Councillor Isherwood for his presentation and attendance at the meeting.
It was agreed:
That the presentation be noted