To receive a verbal update on performance changes since the introduction of fortnightly bin collection.

The Chairman said that, mindful of performance information reported to Cabinet on 10 June 2015, it would be helpful for the committee to receive an update on the Waste Management Service and the Waste Disposal Team Leader (subsequently ‘team leader’) was invited to give a presentation.

 

The principal points of the presentation (in italics) and discussion are provided below.

 

Waste Collection New Service

1.           In November 2014 the council commenced an alternate weekly refuse and recycling collection service (AWC)

 

2.           Green wheeled bin for recycling and a black bin for general rubbish collected fortnightly on alternate weeks

 

3.           Introduced to save £0.5 million per year, reduce general rubbish and increase recycling

 

Performance Improvement

4.           Average monthly general waste: prior to AWC 3,838 tonnes; after AWC 3,545 tonnes; difference - 293 tonnes

 

5.           Average monthly kerbside recycling: prior to AWC 1430 tonnes; after AWC 1,551 tonnes; difference + 121 tonnes

 

6.           Dry recycling %: prior to AWC 28.26%; after AWC 33.60%; difference + 5.34%

 

7.           Estimated recycling and composting rate: prior to AWC 40%; after AWC 42%; difference + 2% (estimated)

 

Summary

8.           Move to Alternate Weekly Collection has done what we wanted it to do: save £0.5 million per annum; reduced amount of general (residual) waste; and increased recycling

 

The team leader said that, although data was only available for a six month period, the performance indicators were encouraging and demonstrated that lower levels of general waste were being collected and higher levels of recycling were being achieved, from already good levels compared to other areas.  It was noted that this had offset recent changes to the treatment of wood waste.

 

The team leader responded to a number of questions from committee members:

 

i.             It was likely that AWC had reduced the amount of trade waste entering the system and that households were reusing, donating and compositing more materials than before.  The Chairman noted that the simplicity of the AWC arrangements made recycling easier to achieve than in some other areas of the country, where residents had to separate materials themselves.

 

ii.            From discussions with street cleansing and enforcement personnel and evidence from tonnage records, it did not appear that AWC had resulted in a discernible increase in levels of fly-tipping to date.

 

iii.          A main focus for the service in the current year was on communal properties, in terms of containment options and improving levels of recycling.

 

iv.          All waste was weighed, so the authority could have confidence in the data collected.

 

v.           Leaflets to explain AWC arrangements were available in the principal languages spoken in Herefordshire.

 

vi.          Members were invited to contact the service about opportunities to improve collection arrangements for residents locally.

 

vii.         There was an ongoing programme for bin swap requests and replacements for damaged units.  It was noted that black sacks would continue to be a feature for some residents, particularly for flats and communal developments.

 

viii.       Bags of rubbish left by the side of public litter bins were regularly inspected to determine the origin of the contents and were followed up appropriately by community protection team.

 

ix.          It was acknowledged that some people did not compost due to concerns about vermin but excellent advice could be obtained from volunteer master composters and residents could purchase subsidised compost bins and waste digesters.

 

x.           It was confirmed that the capital cost of the black bins had been paid off as a consequence of the savings accruing from reduced levels of waste.

 

xi.          AWC meant that single compartment vehicles were more efficient to run currently but, with the current contract ending in 2023 and emerging changes to waste legislation and regulations, the council would need to consider how the waste management service would be provided in the next couple of years.

 

The Cabinet Member, Contracts and Assets wished to record his thanks to the team leader and the rest of the team for their hard work, particularly for their efforts to resolve residents’ issues face-to-face.

 

Energy from Waste (EfW) Update

9.           Our shared 200,000 tonnes per annum EfW due to be operational in Spring 2017

 

10.        Will produce more than 16MW of electricity for the National Grid (enough for all households in Hereford city)

 

11.        Time lapse video available to view on www.severnwaste.com

 

The Cabinet Member, Contracts and Assets commented on the progress that was being made with EfW infrastructure and confirmed that the facility was on schedule to start testing in Autumn 2016 and become operational in Spring 2017.  The Chairman suggested that members might wish to take the opportunity to visit the EfW in due course.

 

Future Work

12.        Garden waste collection service: seasonal collection (March to October?); opt in service and chargeable to residents; and fortnightly collection from a wheeled bin (brown?)

 

13.        Will only be considered if we can recover cost of service from users

 

In response to questions, the team leader commented:

 

§    Unlike some authorities, there was no provision for the chargeable collection of Christmas trees currently.

 

§    Too much useful food was being wasted, at significant costs to household budgets and in terms of landfill disposal charges.  Waste prevention was being encouraged through the ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ campaign.

 

§    The potential for a chargeable garden waste collection service was being assessed.  A committee member suggested Ledbury as a pilot area given its proximity to the green waste composting facility in Dymock.

 

§    Provision was being made at household recycling centres for residents to donate items for re-use by charities at their various outlets in Herefordshire.  It was requested that ward members be kept informed about developments so that they could help publicise reuse initiatives locally.

 

§    The www.letswasteless.com website provided lots of information to residents in Herefordshire and Worcestershire, e.g. advice about real nappies.

 

§    An overview was provided on some of the waste containment and collection measures being explored with residents and traders in Hereford city centre to minimise problems associated with litter and seagulls.

 

§    It was noted that, whilst it could not be automatically sorted and recycled, black plastic had some benefits in terms of food preservation but it was hoped that it would be replaced by alternative materials eventually.

 

A committee member commented that water authorities were not obliged to plan for investment in waste plants and sewage treatment works to take account of business needs.  It was considered that, as a county with large agriculture and production sectors, there was a need for a strategic lead to be taken on how the issues were dealt with.  The Director for Economy, Communities and Corporate acknowledged that further work was required in consultation with the water authorities and local employers to ensure the adequate provision of waste and sewage services for businesses in Herefordshire.

 

The Chairman suggested that all councillors could benefit from a seminar / workshop on waste management issues.

 

RESOLVED:  That the update be noted.