Agenda item

To receive a presentation on the new Waste and Recycling Collection Service including details on the new optional, free garden waste collection.

The Chairman introduced Tracy Carter, Service Director, Waste Management Service, who gave a presentation outlining the New Waste and Recycling Collection Service.

The changes were based on the belief that all Wiltshire residents deserve the same level of service, regardless of where they live in the county. As a local area, Wiltshire needs to recycle more and landfill less, the waste disposal costs are rapidly increasing and landfill tax will be £80.00 per tonne by 2014, Tracy explained. In this context there was an opportunity to offer additional recycling services to ALL residents, something which would support the aims of the council.

Details of the new service are as below:

A public consultation was completed during summer 2010, and concluded that 72% of residents were in favour of the proposed new service.

All those attending were encouraged to sign-up now for new non-chargeable garden waste collections, to receive a new green-lidded bin early next year and start recycling garden waste from March 2012. Residents who already have a garden waste collection will keep the same bin and did not have to sign up again.

The application period would remain open until 30 September 2011, and residents could sign up via the Council’s website, www.wiltshire.gov.uk/gardenbin, by phoning 0300 456 0102 or by filling in the application form and returning it to the freepost address. The new bins would be delivered in February 2012.

The Chairman thanked Tracy for her presentation and invited questions and comments.

·         Responding to a question regarding fly-tipping and the potential for an increase in this following the proposed changes, Tracy highlighted the fact that a similar system has been in use for some years in the former Kennet and West Wiltshire district council areas with no increase in levels of fly-tipping. She explained that Wiltshire Council is responsible for the picking up of dumped waste on all land it holds responsibility for – including for example the highways under its control. Sidewaste (excess waste left by the side of the wheeled bin), will not be collected. Fly-tipping on private land remained the responsibility of the landowner, but the Council was committed to identifying and prosecuting persistent offenders.

·         Further questions were asked of the policy and it was explained that the Council will capture new residential developments in its database and they will be provided with green bins and other services as necessary. The department recognised that the provision of the new Waste and Recycling Collection Service would be an ongoing commitment.

·         Several of those present asked why under current recycling policy, the Council demanded a strict separation of different types of plastic. It was explained that separation ensured that contamination of the collected plastics remained low and as a result ensured that the end product of recycled goods remained a marketable product.

David Fuller, Amesbury Town Council, asked why there were no communal bins for residual waste offered by the council, and would this be an area to look at for possible improvements and savings. Tracy responded that the Council was obliged to comply with legislation which implies that collections of residual waste should be from the highway adjacent to individual premises.