Issue - meetings

To assess the distribution of bring banks for recycled materials across the District in the light of the increased availability of the kerbside collection of materials.

RESOLVED:

(a)   That the number of public bring sites for recycling be reduced to approximately 20 that collect glass, mixed dry recyclable materials and textiles;

(b)   That the paper banks be refurbished and changed into dry mixed recyclable materials banks that can accept the same materials as the clear plastic sack kerbside collection;

(c)   That a working group be established to look at options for textile banks; and

(d)   That a trial collection of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment for recycling be undertaken from identified bring sites.

The Cabinet reviewed the coverage of recycling bring banks across the District in response to the kerbside collection of materials, including glass, now being available across the District.  Currently the public had access to 106 public bring sites, in a variety of types of location, which collected dry mixed recyclable materials (paper, card, plastic bottles, metal tins/cans, and glass bottles/jars).  A map of the sites was attached as Appendix 1 to the report.

Following the introduction of the kerbside collection of glass, some 65% of the glass for recycling was now collected directly from properties.  A review had established that there was spare capacity in the vehicles used for the kerbside collection of both dry mixed recyclables and glass.  In addition the markets were changing, for example with the reduction in printed media such as newspapers and magazines leading to reductions in the tonnages collected and the closure of 2 UK based paper re-processors in the last year.

It was proposed to reduce the number of bring sites from 106 to around 20 through a phased approach, with considerable publicity over the coming winter to advise the public of the impending changes.  The proposed 20 sites, which were those identified as satisfying the highest demand, were set out in the plan attached as Appendix 2 to the report.  Some additional sites, located at business premises, where the public also had access, could also continue through the trade waste and recycling collection service.  The Cabinet was satisfied that this proposal was a logical outcome from the successful introduction of the kerbside collection of materials, which was proving increasingly popular with local residents.

The opportunity would be taken to explore the collection of additional materials through the remaining bring banks, such as waste electrical and electronic equipment.  In addition, there were privately operated textile banks at many bring sites and it would be opportune to review their future operation.

It was projected that by reallocating vehicle resources it would be possible to dispense with one collection vehicle and the associated crew.  This could be achieved without redundancies.  Overall, it was anticipated that the proposal would achieve savings of £143,000, with the full breakdown set out in paragraph 5.5 of the report.

RESOLVED:

(a)   That the number of public bring sites for recycling be reduced to approximately 20 that collect glass, mixed dry recyclable materials and textiles;

(b)   That the paper banks be refurbished and changed into dry mixed recyclable materials banks that can accept the same materials as the clear plastic sack kerbside collection;

(c)   That a working group be established to look at options for textile banks; and

(d)   That a trial collection of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment for recycling be undertaken from identified bring sites.