Agenda item

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The Waste and Recycling Manager presented the report and confirmed to the Panel there was an officer delegated decision. He explained the proposal was a trial in four areas to provide households with a free supply of caddy liners. He advised the first part of the Food Waste Collection Trial was to be focused on schools and to encourage and influence children such as recycling week. He explained in the future this was then to be rolled out to non-commercial settings such as residential care homes. He brought to the Panel’s attention there had been a decline in food waste recycling since the pandemic and since food caddy liners had stopped being sold.

The Waste and Recycling Manager explained to the Panel, food waste was now more valuable and provided opportunities for companies to pay for food waste to process it and make it into electricity.

He added the four areas in which the trial was to take place, information and support would be provided to residents. He explained further if residents were to actively participate in this trial, food caddy liners would be provided.

The Chair thanked the Waste and Recycling Manager for the report and invited questions and comments from the Panel.

Councillor Heneghan commented providing caddy liners was a good incentive and encouraged residents to use their food caddies.

The Chair, Councillor Collop referred to the years when food caddies were being provided if there was an increase in the amount of recycling and sought clarification of the overall percentage.

The Waste and Recycling Manager confirmed there was an increase of 20 tonnes a month, in parts of Downham Market, Docking and King’s Lynn town centre.

Councillor Colwell noted one of the areas in the trial was Reffley Lane and asked how many households this would be and commented he would like to encourage and promote this.

The Waste and Recycling Manager confirmed an estimate of 900 homes.

Councillor Long commented the food waste scheme was beneficial for young families and the food waste caddy being introduced.

Councillor Bullen sought clarification on how many tonnes were previously collected.

The Waste and Recycling Manager confirmed initially 3000 tonnes per year were collected in 2013 and 1800 tonnes were now being collected.

Councillor Kemp expressed her support and questioned in there was a service provided to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. 

The Waste and Recycling Manager confirmed there was not a service provided to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and encouraged the opportunity.

The Vice Chair, Councillor Devulapalli sought clarification on the date of food waste action week and questioned if this could be extended to restaurants.

The Waste and Recycling Manager confirmed this was something which could be done over time as there was limited capacity with staff. He added the focus was on long term impact and the food waste action week was in April 2024 and would be 3^rd- 9^th March 2025

FOOD WASTE ACTION WEEK - March 3-9, 2025 - National Today

Councillor Squire, Portfolio Holder thanked the Waste and Recycling Manager for his report and was pleased the Panel supported this trial. She explained how fortunate it was the food waste caddies were introduced so early and the focus was on increasing the recycling and food waste rates.

RESOLVED: The Panel supported the Officer Delegated Decision.