Agenda item

To receive a report from the Operations Manager for Street Scene and Open Spaces outlining what the service is doing around education and enforcement to reduce residual waste while increasing recycling. It outlines a way forward in terms of raising further awareness of good recycling practice to maximise the reduction in our carbon footprint, including the waste hierarchy around reduce, reuse and then recycle.

The Group had before it, and NOTED, a report * from the Operations Manager for Street Scene and Open Spaces and the Head of People, Performance and Waste outlining the effectiveness and progress of the Council’s waste and recycling scheme known as the Bin-It 123 scheme, as implemented on 10 October 2022.

The following was highlighted within the report:

·           Bin-It 123 had been a huge success, however, there was still a lot more to do in terms of recycling more and producing less residual waste.

·           The report showed a good set of results. There had been a reduction of residual tonnage. Currently Mid Devon were in the top 10% nationally and the Council had been recognised for achieving considerable improvements.

·           Instances of side waste had reduced from 4000 to approximately 200 and there was a compliance rate of just over 90%. Despite this there was still a lot of recycling in residual waste as had been evidenced in recent depot open days. Town and parish council representatives were encouraged to attend more open days planned in the near future.

·           New statutory guidance was awaited following the General Election.

·           Food waste was still an issue across the county in terms of needing to do more of it.

·           More recycling meant more income to the Council.

Discussion took place regarding:

·           Cullompton High Street looked untidy on bin collection days, could anything be done to target hotspots where this happened? Were there communal schemes that could be established?

·           It would be interesting to know what the authorities in the top 10% were doing differently to the Council.

·           Concern was expressed that a large amount of food waste was not being picked up and a suggestion was made that residents be given smaller caddy bins to store food waste, especially those that had very small kitchens or limited storage facilities. This would need investigation and the costs worked out. Small caddy bins had been issued to residents some 10 years ago. It may be that some residents still had these. Perhaps a flyer could be sent out asking if people still had these and if they didn’t and wanted one to contact the Council?

·           There was huge potential to build on the momentum of recycling food waste with more education.

·           To do weekly collections would cost the Council an additional £1.6m. If all residents recycled in the way that they should it would give the Council an additional £800k in income.

·           A difficult balance needed to be struck between proactive enforcement and greater education.

·           The more the Council could get information out there the better and working collaboratively with town and parish council’s would be vital in achieving this.

·           Primary school visits had been undertaken with a view to educating the next generation. There was a suggestion that pre-school visits also be undertaken as even young children could get involved and understood what cardboard and plastic was.

·           It was also suggested that perhaps a competition be held to name waste vehicles. It was agreed that these ideas could be explored further.

Note: * Report previously circulated.