Agenda item

To consider a presentation on the current status of recycling and what could be done to increase recycling across the Borough and improve the environment and reduce waste disposal costs.

The Head of StreetSmart, Communities and Housing made a presentation to the Committee on the current status of recycling including a breakdown of the types of materials that were recyclable within the Borough and the reasons that some materials, such as black plastic currently could not be recycled and the current uses within the Borough for recycled materials.

Following the presentation the Cabinet Member for Communities and Place and the Head of StreetSmart, Communities and Housing responded to members’ questions and observations on the issues raised including:

·       The current position in respect refuse collection, recycling, green waste collection, and kerb side recycling within the Borough.

·       The collection methodology for the various waste collections and recycling.

·       Work to increase recycling rates within the Borough and the environmental and economic benefits to the Council arising therefrom.

·       Work to improve waste presentation by households and to target specific areas within the Borough for recycling campaigns.

·       The proposed introduction of smaller household wheel bins to further encourage recycling (by reducing the amount of household waste that could be put into bins for collection) and whether this might lead to additional fly-tipping.

·       The use of staff volunteers to clean up the waterside depot and use of volunteers by the StreetSmart team (including over 100 in country parks within the Borough).

·       Proposed measures to recycle the anticipated increase in the materials arising from the Christmas period.

·       The reduction in recycling rates across the Borough due to factors such as fewer newspapers glass being collected and service efficiencies being off-set by new houses being built.

·       The increased recycling of plastic materials (excluding black plastic) and the minimal effect this had on recycling rates which were based on tonnage.

·       The benefits to the waste collection service of household composting.

·       The potential use of Section 46 Powers (under the Environmental Protection Act 1990) against residents misuse or overload waste bins or misuse the recycling collections.

·       The Committee’s future input in developing the Council’s future Waste Strategy.

·       The potential future recycling of food waste and the potential infrastructure needed to facilitate such work.

·       The uses for recycled materials such as fuel pellets or in the production of road surfaces.

·       The drawback of piloting new uses for recycled material due to the cost involved in developing new technology and recycling processes and the benefits of incorporating tested uses as soon as possible after their development and trial. Also the possible use of rewards for households with high recycling and low waste disposal.

Resolved – (1) That the Council’s Waste Strategy 2018 be submitted to this Committee for consideration.

(2) That, further to (1) above, consideration of the Council’s draft Waste Strategy 2018 should include the opportunity for members to comment on (a)  options for the promotion of recycling, (b) the enforcement papers and penalties available to this Council to impose a requirement on households to recycle waste, and (c) the benefits and disadvantages of recycling different types of household.

(3) That a report on innovative uses for recycled materials be brought to a future meeting of the Committee after these have proven to be economically viable and to have environmental benefits.

(4) That the Cabinet Member for Communities and Places be advised that this Committee would support Swindon’s participation in any fully-funded pilot plastic deposit or like scheme.

(6) That the Head of StreetSmart, Communities and Housing thanked for attending the meeting and for his useful and interesting presentation.