Agenda item

The Executive Member for Community Safety and Environment submitted a report setting out the costs and options for removing cardboard from the organic stream and how this might increase recycling performance in the future.  The Head of Environmental Services sought Members’ comments on the options now detailed, which would be presented to the Executive and to Council for approval. 

The Head of Environmental Services explained that extensive changes to the recycling service were being proposed in order to achieve the necessary removal of cardboard from the organic waste stream.  This Hertfordshire-wide issue had been considered by the Hertfordshire Waste Partnership which had asked all Hertfordshire District Councils to work on plans to remove cardboard.  Five options to address this issue had been put forward, the detail of which was set out in the report now submitted, including the full cost implications of each option. 

The Head of Environmental Services explained how each option would impact on the Council in terms of capital and revenue costs and that some of the options put forward might also impact on the Council’s reputation.

Members considered the options at length.  It was noted that option 5 would entail considerable capital and revenue costs including the need to pay off the leases on the existing fleet of vehicles, the detail of which was set out in the report now submitted.  This option however, provided a service enhancement for residents.  From a resident’s viewpoint, this option would involve the removal of one of their recycling boxes and their replacement with a new 240 litre wheeled bin.  The remaining box would be used for paper and the new wheeled bin for all other dry recyclable materials, including some additional items which we are currently unable to collect.  He reminded Members of the significant difference in income gained from clean paper compared to that for paper taken out of a co-mingled collection and thus the importance of keeping a separate container just for paper.

In response to a query from Councillor B Wrangles regarding the recycling boxes, the Head of Environmental Services explained recycling capacity requirements for the cardboard and the need to use wheeled bins under Option 5.

In response to a query from Councillor M Newman regarding those residents living in small cottages and terraced properties who had no space for bins, the Head of Environmental Services gave assurances that where necessary, individual solutions to recycling storage issues would be resolved wherever possible.

In response to a query from Councillor E Buckmaster regarding bins which might have a built in compartment for paper, the Head of Environmental Services referred to a system in use by Welwyn Hatfield Council whereby the bins had basket insert for paper.  He undertook to investigate this if Members wished.  He informed Members that there were a range of options for the provision of these, from providing them ‘by default’ to every household with the new wheeled bin; making them available upon request free of charge or making them a chargeable option.  The Waste Services Manager explained how this type of collection system would work.

Members considered other options for the storage and removal of waste including recycling and food waste.  The Head of Environmental Services explained the rationale for the frequency of these collections.  He explained that subsidised domestic home composters for garden waste were available to residents through Waste Aware.

In response to a query from Councillor P Gray regarding his concerns about recycling arrangements for people living in communal facilities such as flats, the Waste Services Manager explained that the majority of residents in flats already had recycling bins provided where ever space allowed.

The Committee supported a suggestion that options and costs for providing an internal basket for paper be investigated, similar to the arrangements used by Welwyn Hatfield Council and reported back to the Executive.

RESOLVED – that the Executive be advised that, the suggestion that options and costs for providing an internal basket for paper be investigated and reported to the Executive, be supported.