A trial of a new recycling service will start in September 2010 in certain parts of the City. Officers will explain the new scheme and answer any questions.
Minutes:
Jenny Loran, Service Development Manager, introduced a trial recycling service. This was to run for six months (from September) within certain areas of the City, including the Saffron Lane area of Eyres Monsell.
It was explained that the benefits of the new service were the collection of an extended range of recyclables and that it was easier to understand. Items included in the new range were: mixed paper and cardboard (including magazines and windowed envelopes), household plastics (including, ice cream tubs, yogurt, cling film), mixed glass, aerosols, cartons, tins and drinks cans.
Every property in the trial area with a green box would be provided with a roll of orange sacks, leaflet and a sticker on the wheelie bin. These were easy to use with clear instruction on sacks. The orange sacks needed to be presented weekly alongside the wheelie bins by 7am on your collection day. It was important to place the bags out by this time as the collection times might vary.
The trial area consisted of approximately 6500 properties, which was 5% of the Leicester’s households. Other areas participating were, Evington, Belgrave and Braunstone Park and Rowley Fields.
Extensive work had been carried out to inform the relevant residents, including door stepping each property. This had proved successful at the first collection, which had a 10% increase in participation.
The Meeting was informed that at the end of the trial all the information would be collated to see if the service was suitable for the city. If it was shown to provide the best solution, whilst providing best value it would be expanded to the whole city.
Concern was raised that this system was previously in place using green bags for recycling. In response it was explained that in the last few years there had been a number of advances in technology. This had meant that waste could be sorted more effectively. The green bags had been hand sorted which was found to be very time consuming, the scheme then changed to the green box system where clean items were sorted at the kerbside and all residual waste was sent the Bursom Ball Mill for sorting. In contrast this trial had the added benefit that once the bags were placed in the lorry most of the processing was done mechanically, therefore reducing any risks to humans.
A member of the public queried where the recycling would be sent. Jenny stated it was currently all sent to Manchester where it would be treated and separated into individual materials for recycling.
In response to a question it was stated that any bags that were ripped open would either by re-bagged by the recycling crews or cleansing services would be informed. To prevent animals ripping the bags it was important to ensure all recyclable items were clean.
A member of the public asked if any of the materials were being sent to produce energy. It was noted that this was not the case. A present the Ball Mill produced floc, which had previously been sent the cement industry as an alternative fuel, however due to the economic downturn this has ceased and a new outlet was being sought.
Concern was expressed that a set of Council own flats were experiencing problems with dirty large wheelie bins. Ian Stapleton, Area Manager, Housing Services, agreed to investigate this.