Agenda item

To consider the report of the Service Manager Recycling, Waste and Fleet.

The Director presented a report which provided an update on options for investment in the Council’s Materials Reclamation Facility (MRF) and kerbside recycling service following the reports to Place Scrutiny Committee on 13 June, 25 June and Executive Committee on 9 July respectively.  The cost variations which demonstrated an overall cost reduction were set out in the report.  The major changes were the improved recycling containers that would be offered across the city and a reduction in costs for the enhancement of the Materials Reclamation Facility. He also highlighted the risks and was pleased to report that the proposal to use the new triple stack system would help to eliminate some of the existing injury risks to staff when collecting and lifting the existing 45 litre recycling caddies. This was very much the start of the process of the service design and with a current lead in time of 18 months for the delivery of the specialist vehicles, there was plenty of opportunity to finalise the service.  

The Recycling Officer demonstrated the triple stacking bins, which were favoured after looking at their use by other authorities, and were designed to mirror the current footprint and height of the existing wheelie bins. The bins would be made out of recycled plastic and the main body were only available in black as the composition of the recycled material did not take any colour, although the flaps can be colour coded to make recycling easier.  One advantage is that the manufacturer used the same plastic supplier which we send our recycled plastic to for processing. Discussions were at an early stage but there was a potential for all of our existing bins to be collected, recycled and used to make the new bin system.

The Recycling Officer responded to Members’ questions:-

·      the opportunities for any pests interfering with the waste were minimised by the three interlinked sections and stacked with the lowest section taking glass as the potentially heaviest material, the middle section taking recyclables such as cans, tetrapaks, plastic containers and a range of other recyclable material and the top section with the dedicated cover to stop water ingress to the paper and cardboard. It was noted that the containers all had drainage holes.  The bins were designed to be wheeled out for collection as with the current wheelie bin collection service.

·      the food waste caddy handles would also fit over the triple stack bin to ensure one unit could be wheeled to the collection vehicle.

·      a colour coded scheme for the bins for those with disabilities was noted, but was not currently possible.

·      the whole bin could be wheeled out into place for collection and in the case of any resident having concerns over access around their property such as in the case of steep steps, the Council offered assisted collections.

·      there would be a range of different requirements and recognition that one size did not fit all and it would be necessary to ensure that individual needs were met. A household survey would be undertaken.

·      donations of older black traditional bins following the roll out of the new triple stack bins would be welcomed.

The Director also responded to a number of Members’ questions and advised the following:-

·      that a considerable investment would be made over a ten year period and the service to return a small surplus each year.  The investment at the Material Reclamation Facility was needed to avoid a failure of the plant and reduce the current shortfall for income expectations the recycling activity that was generally due to breakdowns.  The kerbside collections would deal with most material but larger items should continue to be taken to the Recycling Centres at Pinhoe or Exton Road.  The new fleet contract opted for lease hire rather than purchase to offer greater financial certainty and enable a more modern fleet. Currently there was no effective electric refuse vehicle but the market is moving swiftly and the new fleet contract will enable the Council to take advantage of any new technology.

·      food waste would also be collected and taken to be processed in an anaerobic digestion plant, as part of a county wide contract for food waste. The storage of the food waste, prior to collection would be part of the changes at the MRF. More staff would be required overall, although the detail of the staffing arrangement had yet to be finalised.

·      apprentices could potentially be part of the new service and there would be potentially for training new drivers from within the existing staff compliment.

·      there were a number of tetrapack collection points in the city.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and City Management referred to the commitment to change the way that waste was collected in the city. He referred to the consultation exercise when 71% of Exeter’s’ residents responded to improving the opportunities for waste collection. He also responded to a Member about the aspirations to increase recycling rates explaining that the waste hierarchy was to reduce, reuse and recycle.  There was a move to reduce waste rather than place an emphasis on recycling rates, but it was felt that through that approach, recycling rates would rise. He quoted a key performance indicator which was the total amount of waste produced per household and Exeter was currently 4th lowest in the country, excluding London.

A Member also thanked the Portfolio Holder for the update and enquired about the future arrangements for collection of hygienic waste material such as nappies, if reusable nappies were not being used. The Recycling Officer stated that this would be considered in the new service design.

Place Scrutiny Committee requested Executive to support a recommendation

to Council of the following:-

(1)     adoption of Option 4 (weekly kerbside-sort recycling collection, incorporating glass and food waste collection, with three weekly rubbish collection) and associated investment in the Materials Reclamations Facility; and

(2)     implementation of the chosen service of Option 4, and that a budget of

·      £200,000 is set aside from General Fund revenue reserves to provide the project management and assistance with roll out;

·      a capital budget of £2,105,000 is provided for the improved recycling containers; and

·      a capital budget of £1,500,000 to enhance the MRF.