Agenda item

A report from Glenn Stuart, Head of Waste Management is attached

Councillor Quinn, Cabinet Member – Environment and Glenn Stuart, Head of Waste Management presented a report providing an update on waste management and recycling.

Set out in the report was a table showing the weights of each waste stream collected over the last two complete years and the first half of 2018/2019.

Glenn explained the figures and any fluctuations that may occur.

Glenn reported that the resources charity WRAP (Waste and Recycling Action Programme) had announced a partnership with the Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority – Resource GM aimed at driving up the recycling rate to 60% across the GM conurbation by 2025 as well as improving the quality of recycling collected. The partnership has been responsible for undertaking extensive research which will inform future promotional campaigns and the delivery of advertising campaigns across GM.

It was also reported that a new national Waste and Resources Strategy is due to be published by the end of the year. It is anticipated that the strategy will see the introduction of a range of new measures designed to kick start recycling performance in England and may include:

·         Mandated separate collections of food

·         A ban of food waste to landfill

·         Extended producer responsibility

·         Deposit return scheme for containers such as drinks cans and bottles

The report also set out information in relation to household sign up to receive email alerts and it was explained that over 35% of households across the borough had done so.

It was explained that Bury Council was the first in England to introduce three weekly residual waste collection and 9% of the 115 councils that responded to a recent survey had moved to three weekly with another 63% planning to within 2 years.

Also within the report was information relating to the collection and recycling of plastic bottles and the number of missed bin collections over the previous 3 and a half years.

Those present were given the opportunity to ask questions and make comments and the following points were raised:

·         Councillor Hankey referred to contaminated bins and asked whether the waste could still be separated.

Neil explained that the teams worked to a 5% rule (up to 5% of the bin’s contents by weight) and it was up to the individual operative to make a decision as to whether a bin can be emptied.

·         Councillor Leach referred to the use of agency staff and asked if any issues arose from this.

        Neil explained that there had been an over reliance on the use of agency staff which had contributed to some disruptions but this had been recognised and rectified with vacant posts being        awarded to agency operatives following a recruitment         process.

·         Councillor Nicholas Jones referred to the saving target that was set when the residual bins went to 3 weekly collections and asked whether this target had been met.

        Neil explained that the 3 weekly collections had been in place    for 3 years’ and in this time a number of recycling initiatives    had been carried out. A further service review was underway   which was looking at in house efficiencies. 

·         Councillor Caserta asked whether there would be any barriers to insisting that new developments have central containers.

        It was explained that waste disposal is material in planning        but the Council could not insist on central waste containers.    They could however negotiate with developers regarding   options.

It was agreed:

That the contents of the report be noted