Agenda item

Resolved: that the report be noted.

7.1      Wendy Nicholas (Strategic Waste and Environment Manager) introduced the report, the following key points were noted:

·         The report provided an update on the new arrangements for the food and fortnightly collection service that had begun in the autumn of 2017.

·         There had been some teething problems, which were to be expected as a result of a major service change. The principal problem was that of missed collections as crews got to know their new rounds, work in different neighbourhoods and negotiate access issues.

·         Quality checks were being carried out to ensure that the new services met the agreed standards.

·         There had been an increase in the number of complaints resulting from the implementation of the new service.

·         Waste advisors had carried out a pre-implementation survey. In February a post implementation survey would be carried out – and areas with low levels of recycling would be targeted for further engagement activity.

·         Advisors had carried out roadshows and ‘door knocking’ reaching more than 15 thousand residents. Feedback from the advisors was that residents were broadly satisfied with the new services.

·         There had been a slight increase in the number of missed collections following the implementation of the new service. This had decreased substantially in the following months.

·         Complaints and casework had increased substantially (59% in October and 46% in November) but there had been a significant decrease in the number of complaints in December.

·         Tonnages of food recycling had increased month on month following the implementation of the new service.

·         Recycling, composting and reuse figures had increased from 16.11% in September to 24% in October.

·         The percentage of waste being sent for incineration had also reduced.

7.2      Wendy Nicholas, Nigel Tyrell (Head of Environmental Services) and Kevin Sheehan responded to questions from the Committee, the following key points were noted:

·         Recycling rates had substantially increased.

·         The overall amount of waste being collected had also reduced.

·         The problems that had been experienced as part of the implementation were relatively small, especially in comparison to some other areas of London that had implemented new services.

·         Food and garden waste collections were separated.

·         Officers were currently trying to negotiate an extension to the contract for the borough’s waste incinerator.

·         The option for kerb side sorting of waste had been explored at the time of renegotiating the new waste and recycling contract but the costs, logistics and level of labour required to carry this out were prohibitive.

·         It was recognised that there was some potential confusion among residents about things that could and could not be recycled, especially different kinds of plastic.

·         Work was taking place at a national level to simplify recycling symbols on plastic but there was lots of complexity in the supply chain.

·         The new food recycling collection was being composted in Britain for reuse here. This was not the case with all of the different kinds of recycling.

·         Contamination tags were used for food bins that contained items other than food. Bins were not routinely taken away from residents for misuse.

·         Bins were checked for contamination. There was a process in place to divert contaminated loads from the recycling facility, which charged the Council for disposal of contaminated recycling. Contaminated recycling was incinerated.

·         Average monthly contamination of recycling loads was between 10-15%.

·         Officers would give consideration to carrying out further work in any specific areas in the borough where there were issues with contamination of recycling.

·         Officers were conscious of the potential issues surrounding the availability of compostable waste bags for food recycling.

·         Services were available for families that produced excessive amounts of waste or waste requiring clinical disposal.

7.3      In the Committee discussions the following key points were also noted:

·         Members expressed support for the recent emphasis on reducing and reusing plastics.

·         It was suggested that information about waste and recycling should be included with letters to new residents about council tax.

·         Members highlighted concerns about issues that affected large numbers of people on a street – rather than one or two households.

·         There were also concerns about contamination of recycling and fly-tipping.

·         Members noted that Bromley Council had high profile signage and communications to combat fly tipping.

·         The Committee wished to place on record its thanks to Pat Hollands for her hard work and dedication in dealing with casework and queries during the transition to the new service.

7.4       Resolved: that the report be noted.