Decision details

To approve the ceasing of kerbside collections of textiles and shredded paper

The waste service proposes to cease the kerbside recycling collection of textiles and shredded paper to improve the performance of the materials recycling facility (MRF).

Less than 1% of the total kerbside collected recycling tonnage comprises textiles and which are typically of very low quality and rain-damaged with little or no financial value, or sustainable recycling market.

Assessments have also shown that the recycling process results in most of the collected shredded paper being discarded as “fines” (35% of the process “fines” is understood to be shredded paper) and is sent to landfill as “fines” are unsuitable for the council's landfill diversion contracts.

Removing textiles and shredded paper from the list of accepted materials in the kerbside recycling collections will:
a. Improve the MRF operating availability and reduce the frequency and length of time spent dealing with breakdowns and blockages within the plant caused by loose textiles and other contamination delivered to the facility.
b. Create capacity within the MRF operating time to enable re-circulation of Wiltshire’s reject materials to extract more recyclable materials.
c. Reduce the quantity of Wiltshire material rejected through the MRF sorting process, including ‘fines’ material.
d. Increase the capture rate of target materials and therefore increasing the quantity of recyclable material sold to recycling markets and the associated potential income from the sale of materials.

Appendix A includes images showing how these materials negatively impact the MRF sorting equipment and processes.

Textiles account for less than 1% of the total kerbside collected MDR tonnage. Textile re-processors consider these (often rain-damaged) materials to be of the lowest quality in comparison to other collection routes e.g. charity shops, household recycling centres and privately operated recycling banks.

Shredded paper makes up approximately 6% of kerbside collected paper. However, it is material that is too small to be recognised and separated by the sorting process and so is disposed of to landfill.

Both textiles and shredded paper can be taken to household recycling centres for recycling.

It is intended that kerbside collections of textiles will be replaced with collections of small waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Additionally, new kerbside recycling collections of domestic batteries commence from 5 December 2022. Both items will be collected separately from other kerbside recyclable materials – ie. will not go through the MRF. Cost free recycling markets for batteries and WEEE are guaranteed, as they are both covered by an Extended Producer Responsibility scheme. The collection of these also offers mitigation of fire risks associated with rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries, a key concern for the waste industry at present.

These changes will be implemented in conjunction with a co-ordinated communications campaign to inform residents of the service changes and promote which materials should be included in their recycling collections. Advice on where to dispose of materials not collected through kerbside collections will also be included.

This decision will be effective immediately and will be conveyed to service users and the council’s service providers under the Lot 1 waste management and Lot 5 waste and recycling collection contracts on a co-ordinated basis in order that the desired outcomes are delivered.

I confirm that in making this decision I have considered the following in line with Wiltshire Council’s Constitution:

Key decision requirements: No

Views of relevant cabinet member(s), committee chairman, area board(s): Yes, briefings have been provided and discussed with Cllr Dr Mark McClelland, Cabinet Member for Transport, Waste, Street Scene and Flooding and Place Senior Leadership Team.

Consultation with cabinet member(s), the Leader and Scrutiny (for Executive decisions taken under Emergency Powers): Yes; Leader and Chief Exec both advised and agreed with this decision

Consultation with local members (as appropriate): NA

Consideration of the area boards and delegated decision checklist for officers on the issue of when and how to involve local councillors and area boards in decisions about local services: N/A - written briefings to AB chairs and councillors will be provided as part of the wider communication campaign once decision is enacted.

Implication of any council policy, initiative, strategy or procedure: Yes, existing waste policies reviewed as part of the decision-making process, and the decision will further support the Business Plan objective to increase recycling of “target” materials, through the reduction of recycling sorting process rejects.

Consultation in accordance with requirements and expectations of consultation with the public: Not applicable

Range of options available: Yes, alternative routes for recycling both textiles and shredded paper are available to residents.

Staffing, financial and legal implications: Yes

Evidence of due regard having been given to the Public Sector Equality Duty: Yes

Risk assessment: Yes

Involvement of statutory officers and/or directors: yes

Regional or national guidance from other bodies: Yes, the Textile Recycling Association has reported it has seen the rapid rise of China as a global exporter of used clothing, with markets in Eastern Europe and Africa that would typically have taken most of UK exports of used clothing now importing substantially more material from China, at cheaper prices.

The council’s constitution: Yes

This contract is suitable for execution under the e-signature process: Not applicable

Other options considered and currently rejected as part of improving the MRF performance:

a. Running a 3rd shift at the MRF to recover the operating time lost through breakdowns and blockages. This would require a new planning application to be obtained by the contractor and if permitted, would result in the MRF operating 24 hours a day for 5-6 days a week, limiting the opportunity to conduct routine maintenance on the facility.

b. Sending some MDR materials to a third party MRF for processing. This would result in the council losing income from the sale of those materials.