Agenda item

The Waste and Recycling Manager presented the report which provided an update on waste related issues, the current work of the Norfolk Waste Partnership, the Waste and Recycling Behaviour Change programme and other waste and recycling issues.

He reminded the Panel that following a successful bid for funding to the DCLG, the Local Green Points Scheme had been implemented.  He explained to the Panel that the scheme had resulted in an increase in dry recyclables and garden waste.  The Waste and Recycling Manager informed the Panel that the contract for the Local Green Points scheme had been extended for a second year.

The Waste and Recycling Manager reminded the Panel that they had received an update on the Local Green Points scheme last year and comments made by the Panel had now been taken forward including the Community Rewards Scheme which could enable Parish Councils and King’s Lynn Area Advisory Committee to nominate schemes for funding.  It was hoped that this scheme would encourage greater take up and promotions of the Green Points Scheme and promotion of the scheme within Parishes as it would be the local community that could benefit from the Community Rewards Scheme.  To be eligible for the Community Rewards Scheme the area would have to be one of the greatest performing areas under the Green Points Scheme. 

The Waste and Recycling Manager referred to market conditions, as set out in his report, and commented that they were improving slightly.  The Waste and Recycling Manager explained that if Members were interested in visiting the Materials Recycling Facility that they should let him know and this could be arranged.

The Waste and Recycling Manager referred to the review of infrastructure and collection regimes work stream as included in his report.  He explained that the Borough Council had the best pricing value for collection compared to any other Local Authority in Norfolk.  He explained that it was important to try and sustain this and investigations would take place into what would happen beyond the existing contract arrangements.

The Panel was informed that currently the Council was losing money on the food waste collection service, but the loss could decrease if more people starting using their food waste caddies.  It was hoped that rewards through the Local Green Points scheme could assist in encouraging take up. 

The Waste and Recycling Manager informed the Panel that the Council were currently trialling a new collection vehicle for food waste, which could result in cost savings and this had been promoted by social media and a press release.

The Panel was informed that a technical report on contract arrangements and how all Norfolk Authorities could go forward was being produced by the Norfolk Waste Partnership.  Delivery and service options would be looked at.  Trials and alternative ways of working could be investigated along with partnership working.

The Waste and Recycling Manager referred to the contamination of bins and explained that this was still a huge problem.  He explained that 16% of material in the recycling bin had found to be contaminated during a recent audit.  This was a risk to the income achieved through recycling, as if the wrong materials were found, the end product often could not be sold on.  The Waste and Recycling Manager explained that nappies in the recycling bins were still a big problem and additional work would be carried out to investigate ways that contamination could be reduced.  It was hoped that work could be carried out to educate people on recycling and find out the reasons why there were issues with contamination.  The Panel was informed that the Norfolk Waste Partnership had recently employed a Principal Communications Officer for the whole of Norfolk.

The Chairman thanked the Waste and Recycling Manager for his report and invited questions and comments from the Panel, as summarised below.

The Waste and Recycling Manager responded to questions from Councillor Tyler and explained that he hoped that the recent increase in recycling collected would continue, and the reason for the increase could be that more people had signed up to the Local Green Points Scheme, or that the different forms of communication were getting out to people.  The Waste and Recycling Manager commented that there was a whole suite of options which could be used for publicity and it would continue.  The Waste and Recycling Manager commented that he did not think that a two week collection for food waste would be appropriate due to the contents of the caddy, which could smell if it was left for two weeks.

In response to further questions from Councillor Tyler, the Waste and Recycling Manager explained that people could sometimes be too keen to recycle everything and this could result in them putting contaminates in the recycling and they may think that they are being helpful.

Councillor Squire referred to the increase in the value of some recyclables and asked if this was likely to continue.  The Waste and Recycling Manager explained that the value of plastic was linked to oil and paper sales to China had continued all year round, which was unusual as there was usually a break in sales during the Chinese New Year.  The Waste and Recycling Manager commented that sales in foreign currency had also assisted with boosting income due to exchange rates.

In response to questions from Councillor Squire, the Waste and Recycling Manager explained that alternative collection arrangements would be investigated and trials could be carried out.  He explained that schemes used by other Local Authorities would be looked at and lessons could be learnt.  He provided examples of other Local Authorities who had increased the amount of recycling and decreased black bin waste.

Councillor Squire asked the Panel if they had signed up to the Local Green Points Scheme and those that had not yet done so were encouraged to sign up and lead by example by using their food waste caddies.

In response to a question from Councillor Hipperson, the Waste and Recycling Manager explained that plastic milk bottles were collected and sold as an independent stream.  Glass was recycled, dependent on its size.  Small particles were sold for filtration systems and sand and middle sized pieces could be re-melted.  Large pieces of glass were the problem, and glass mixed with other materials, as this was not making its value.

Councillor Moriarty commented that he was pleased that work was ongoing to educate service users and he hoped that the new vehicle, which was being trialled for food waste collections, would be financially viable.  He felt that this would remove the public perception that food waste was not being kept separate from other waste, even though it was being collected by a split body vehicle.  The Waste and Recycling Manager explained that the trial vehicle for food waste freed up the other vehicle for other collections, meaning a split body vehicle did not need to be used and this had resulted in all waste being collected in one round, whereas previously there would have had to be a trip back to the depot to empty the vehicles.  Councillor Moriarty asked if the cost to the Council for the food waste collection service, took into consideration the increase that there would be in black bin waste if the food waste collection was withdrawn and the Waste and Recycling Manager explained that the figures had been calculated based on other areas that did not provide a food waste service.  Councillor Moriarty commented that the other benefit of the food waste service, which was not necessarily financial, was that the black bins may have to be collected on a weekly basis if the food waste collection service was withdrawn and the amount of waste going to landfill could increase.  Councillor Moriarty also referred to contaminates in the recycling and it was explained that sometimes people were too enthusiastic and sometimes electronic items were found in the recycling.  The Waste and Recycling Manager commented that these should be taken to the Household Recycling Centre.  The Waste and Recycling Manager explained that there were not many issues with contamination in the brown bins, other than the occasional pair of gardening gloves or garden tools.

In response to a question from Councillor Bubb, the Waste and Recycling Manager informed those present that there were stickers available for bins which stated what could and could not be recycled.  The Recycling Crew could also place a red tag on bins which were found to contain contaminates to act as a reminder to households.  A leaflet could also be posted through the door of the household if contaminates were found. 

Councillor Smith asked at what point the Council would decide on whether to continue with the food waste collection service if it was costing the Council money and it was explained that this would be a political decision.  He also made comments that people may not be willing to engage with officers trying to educate on what could and could not be recycled.  The Waste and Recycling Manager explained the reception he had received from members of the public so far had generally not been negative.

Councillor Fraser referred to the food caddy liners and the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Councillor Devereux explained that investigations were ongoing and it was hoped that a new supplier of caddy liners would be brought in which should hopefully resolve issues that people were having with the existing supply.  The Waste and Recycling Manager explained that currently corn starch liners were used and it was hoped that the Council would move to using oil based liners which would be stronger and would cost less.  It was anticipated that these would still be available for free.

The Vice Chairman, Councillor Bambridge referred to the comments made by the Panel the last time they received an update on waste and recycling.  She commented that not everyone used social media and it was important that other ways of publicity were looked at.  She also referred to an information pack which was supposed to be sent out to households and asked if this had been done.  The Waste and Recycling Manager confirmed that Local Green Points had sent information out to all householders and explained that publicity would continue. 

The Vice Chairman, Councillor Bambridge referred to households which had bagged collections and explained that if people worked during the day, they could have difficulty coming into the office to collect a resupply of bags.  She had suggested that an e-form be created which people could fill in online to request a delivery of bags.  The Waste and Recycling Manager explained that when bags were delivered they were delivered with a tag.  Users could then add their address to the tag and put it out with their bags when they were low on stock.  A stock of bags would then be delivered to the household.  The Waste and Recycling Manager explained that if there were instances where individuals had not received a tag, or a supply of bags, they should contact him and he would arrange for a supply to be delivered.  The Assistant Director agreed to investigate if an e-form could be developed to request a resupply of bags.

The Vice Chairman, Councillor Bambridge requested that information be provided to the Panel on the implications of introducing a separate nappy collection service in the Borough and the Waste and Recycling Manager agreed to investigate.

In response to a question from Councillor Bambridge, the Waste and Recycling Manager explained that it would not be possible to provide Councillors with information on who had signed up to the Green Points Scheme due to data protection.  It may however be possible to provide a percentage per ward on sign ups and the Waste and Recycling Manager agreed to investigate.

Councillor Mrs Collop reminded those present that she was the Chairman of the King’s Lynn Area Advisory Committee and was not aware of the Community Reward Scheme.  The Waste and Recycling Manager explained that the scheme was new and more information, once available, would be made available to the Committee and Parish Councils. 

The Chief Executive explained that a decision on if the food waste service was unviable would need to be a political decision.  He reminded those present that the Council was in a tight financial position and it would only get tighter.  It was important to drive food waste up and look at ways of saving money before additional services could be brought in, for example nappy collection services.  The Chief Executive commented that contamination was an issue and a cost to the tax payer, and it was important to decrease contamination rates otherwise drastic measures may have to be taken, such as withdrawing the service from areas which continually contaminated.

The Leader of the Council commented that it would be up to Members to decide on what would happen going forward.  He reminded those present that it was not just about finances and consideration needed to be given to the environmental impact of the service.  He explained that the food waste collection service was not necessarily the most cost effective method, but it diverted waste from landfill which was better for the environment.  He explained that it was important to increase public participation in schemes and improve recycling rates and reduce contamination. 

RESOLVED: (i) The report and the comments made by the Panel were noted.

(ii) Members of the Panel were encouraged to promote the Local Green Points Scheme within their Ward.

(iii) Updates be presented to the Panel as appropriate.