To receive a brief presentation from Tracy Carter (Service Director – Waste Management) regarding the on-going consultation on the Waste and Recycling Collection Service.
Minutes:
Tracy Carter (Service Director – Waste Management) gave a presentation regarding the on-going consultation on the waste and recycling collection service.
Changes to the provision of this service within Wiltshire were required to ensure that the same service was provided to all residents. In addition to this, the need to meet tougher recycling targets and minimise landfill required a new approach to waste collection across the county.
The proposal was for household rubbish and black box recycling (i.e. tins, glass and paper) to be collected on alternate weeks. There would also be a fortnightly collection of plastic bottles and cardboard recycling. In addition, the current fortnightly collection of garden waste would continue, although this would now be free to all residents, rather than being charged as at present.
This proposal sought to balance the best service with maximising the opportunities for recycling and minimising costs. A consultation was underway to seek support for this proposal from Wiltshire residents. Leaflets were available at the meeting summarising the proposals and with detachable freepost slip, on which residents could record their support or opposition to the proposals.
The Chairman then invited questions and comments:
· In response to comments from the floor, it was emphasised that a final decision had yet to be taken on this proposal. This was a genuine consultation, the results of which would be reported to the Cabinet in September.
· Concern was raised regarding people who currently filled their bins within a week. Tracy explained that part of the aim behind the proposal was to encourage behavioural change, whereby people increased the amount they recycled out of necessity. Currently, those areas within Wiltshire with weekly waste collections recycled around 10% less than the areas with fortnightly waste collection. However, it was also noted that specific assistance and advice would be given to those who had genuine issues with excess waste, for example nappies and incontinence pads.
· Currently the majority of residual waste (i.e. non-recyclables) was sent to an Energy from Waste facility near Slough, for incineration. However, recycling was still preferable in terms of having a lower environmental impact.
· The view was expressed that this proposal represented a reduction in service, and that the existing system should remain.
· Concern was expressed regarding potential health and safety issues with waste only being collected once every fortnight. Reference was made to articles in the press in relation to potential infestations of rats and maggots.
· Tracy confirmed that the UK had been set targets under EU landfill directives since the late 1990s, due to the country’s poor recycling performance. If councils did not meet the required targets there was a possibility of fines being passed on to Councils by the government.
· Consideration had been given to the separate collection of food waste. However, it was not proposed to progress this at present due to issues over technology and capacity. However, the current schemes for subsidised green cone composters would continue.
· Referring to the recent announcement by Eric Pickles, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, in support of a return to weekly waste collection, Tracy commented that this was Mr Pickles’ opinion and was not formal government policy.
· Tracy explained that the proposed fortnightly collection would give an opportunity to redeploy staff to the additional recycling collection rounds. This would also reduce the use of agency staff.
· It was noted that considerably more commercial waste went to landfill, although this was discouraged by means of the same landfill tax imposed on local authorities.
· Concern was also raised in relation to the collection of bins from properties with little or no pavement which could cause an obstacle for pedestrians and/or vehicles.
The Chairman thanked everyone for their comments and urged everyone to fill in the forms and to send questions, comments and concerns to the contact details on the back of the leaflet.