Agenda item

To receive a report on the review of Bin-it 123 from the operations manager of Street Scene and Open Spaces and Corporate Manager for People and Governance and Waste.

Cabinet had before it a report * from the Operations Manager for Street Scene and Open Spaces and Corporate Manager for People, Governance and Waste. The report measured the effectiveness of the Council’s waste and recycling scheme, known as the Bin-it 123 scheme, as implemented in October 2022. The steps the service have taken to raise awareness of the public in the District around the need to use appropriate containers and caddies for recycling.

The Cabinet Member for Environment and Services outlined the contents of the report with particular reference to following:

·         The review of the performance since the implementation of the three weekly collections and positive results in the report. The recycling rate had increased and residual collection tonnage reduced since the schemes implementation.

·         An increase in recycling would further enable the Council to reduce its carbon footprint and hit its carbon net zero commitment.

·         Referred to the residual waste graph in the report and the 50% of residual waste that had provision to recycle (and would be the main focus over the next few years for environmental implication and for the financial cost).

·         Bin-it 123 had now been in place for a year which had included the waste and recycling crews collecting side waste from households. This had helped support residents during the transition period by giving more flexibility.

·         It is now necessary however to ensure that the Bin-It 123 scheme is fully implemented and complied with to reduce our residual tonnage and increase recycling.

·         The steps were highlighted on the education and enforcement that would be taken to ensure residents supported the scheme and followed good practice.

·         The Waste and Recycling Management presented to other National Councils from DEFRA how successful the three weekly collection had been maintained and the good results the Council had achieved in maintaining this.

The Corporate Manager for People and Governance and Waste highlighted the following:

·         The challenges that the Council faced and the improvements that could still be made.

·         Recycling Advisors are now employed in the community and talking to residents about Bin-it 123 and how residents could help implement the scheme.

The Operation Manager for Street Scene and Open spaces highlighted the following:

·         Reflection on delivering the presentation to other national councils. It highlighted the engagement with residents and how to be a part of the scheme and the residents taking ownership of Bin-it 123.

Consideration were given to:

·         Explanation about the graph in the report on WEEE and fines.

·         Issues on side waste in different areas where the waste had been fly tipped in other resident’s bins or homes and they had then received a letter from the Council threatening prosecution. How was this monitored and the communication to residents?

·         Knowledge and recognising the concerns of residents.

·         Communal waste areas and how the waste was being dealt with.

·         The tone of the letter that residents received.

·         Positive messaging to residents about the good work in recycling and balancing the approach to residents. Positive publicity or campaigning about the recycling.

·         The food waste that was happening and how to improve the wastage.

·         Encourage recycling over the festive period.

RESOLVED that:

To review the contents of this report and provide recommendations for future reports.

(Proposed by Cllr J Wright and seconded by Cllr S Clist)

Reason for the Decision:

Under Section 46 of the Environmental Protection Act, Waste Collection Authorities may by means of notice specify how householders present their waste for collection.