Steve Weston, Head of Waste Management will provide members of the Task Group with a presentation on the current level of service in relation to waste disposal, recycling and green issues.
Minutes:
Ian Lomas, Contract Manger, Cleansing Services and Geoff Soden, Waste Services Manager, provided Members with an overview of the procedure for collecting waste from Leicester Market.
Officers explained that an 18 ton vehicle was used to collect approximately 5 tons of waste per day, which included cardboard and plastic boxes. The waste was subsequently taken to the Ball Mill at Beaumont Leys, where it was broken down into four different wastes. Up to 70% of this could be recycled or re-used. Organic waste was taken to Wanlip where it could be used to produce methane. Metals were extracted and sent for recycling. Light material, such as cardboard and plastics were separated as floc and used as a substitute fossil fuel and the remaining waste was sent to land fill. Officers explained that plastic boxes and strapping from the market waste caused problems with the machinery and that it would be helpful if these wastes could be separated at the point of collection. Officers understood that space for separate bins was a factor at the market.
Members expressed concerns that the refuse vehicle, the associated problems of smell and an accumulation of empty boxes and waste, deterred potential customers. Members noted the usual location of the refuse vehicle and asked Officers to consider whether it could be re-located to alleviate its negative impact on the Market.
Two shifts of cleaners were employed and the market was cleaned at the end of the day, with a big clean and wash down of the area taking place every Sunday. Officers explained that Sunday was the only time that this work could be carried out. Members asked Officers to calculate how much it would cost to clean the area in the Market in the evening, where the refuse vehicle was usually located, to ease the smell.
Another member of the Task Group also expressed concerns that there were inadequate drains in Cheapside, which meant that there was a build up of stagnant water, which exacerbated the smell in the area.
Officers explained that there was a shift changeover at 12.30 pm, when the refuse vehicle was emptied and then cleaned. This process took over an hour and during that time, the rubbish accumulated before the second shift took over and the vehicle returned. Members questioned whether it would be possible to have two vehicles; one for cardboard waste and one for organic waste but Officers responded that they did not have the facilities for this.
A member of the Task Group stated that the staff on each shift appeared to take their breaks at the same time, and questioned whether their breaks could be staggered in order that someone was always on duty. Officers responded that they could consider this possibility, but they could not leave the vehicle in charge of someone who did not have an HGV licence.
A Member expressed concerns over the use of plastic strapping as general packaging, and explained that the sharp edges of the strapping had previously resulted in very serious injuries to fingers. The meeting heard that other organisations had experienced health and safety problems with the strapping.
Thanks were given to the Officers and Members stated that they would return to this issue, later in the Review.