Agenda item

The Director of Environmental Services submits a report that asks Members whether or not to change the kerbside recycling arrangements in the City.  The Board is asked to consider and comment on the options set out in paragraph three of the report.

A report was submitted which asked the Board whether or not to change the kerbside recycling arrangements in the City. 

Councillor Russell introduced this report to the Board.  She explained that the proposal to change kerbside recycling arrangements in Leicester was due to a decline in the participation of the green box recycling scheme, with many residents having expressed a desire to recycle a wider range of materials than the current green box system allowed.  Further concerns raised in relation to the green box scheme related to storage, problems with manoeuvring them and issues of litter being dispersed following collection.

In response to the problems cited around the green box scheme and the difficulties experienced to increase recycling participation rates, BIFFA proposed new kerbside recycling arrangements which have been piloted in four wards, and this has been known as the orange bag trial.  Councillor Russell stated that the advantages of the orange bag scheme included an increase in the range of materials being recycled at the kerbside, with only food and garden waste and clothing being omitted from the scheme.

The meeting was informed that the pilot project took place in Braunstone Park and Rowley Fields, Belgrave, Eyres Monsell and Evington, and generated pleasing results and was popular amongst residents, with participation rates increasing by approximately 20%.  In particular, the scheme encouraged recycling amongst those who had not previously done so.  Councillor Russell stated that it was now proposed to roll the scheme out across the whole of Leicester, and that it was envisaged that overall recycling and composting rates for the city would increase from 40% to 48%. 

The Board were generally welcoming towards the concept of the orange bag scheme and were pleased with the outcomes of the pilot study.  In respect of extending the scheme, concern was expressed in terms of whether it would be successful within areas occupied predominantly by students. 

It was queried whether the green boxes currently used for recycling purposes would be retrieved by BIFFA if left outside properties.  Councillor Russell reported that residents were entitled to retain their boxes if they wished.  If residents wished to return them, then it was advised to do so by placing them for collection inside an orange bag.

It was felt that disposal of orange bags at night could attract pests such as foxes.  As a Member of one of the pilot wards, Councillor Glover noted that there were a significant number of foxes in Bruanstone, but that there were no particular problems during the pilot scheme.  Councillor Russell also stated that residents were directed to present their waste outside properties on the day of collection.  This was in part in alignment with the aim to de-clutter residential streets.  It was further stated that a flaw of the previous scheme was that after collection, green boxes were left outside properties which led to a variety of adverse issues. 

In response to a question around how the scheme would operate within blocks of flats, Councillor Russell confirmed that the initial roll out would not include flats, and stated that one particular recycling method could not suit all suits of property.  It was pointed out that some blocks of flats had developed successful mini-recycling centres, and that alternatives such as this were worth considering.  She explained that the most appropriate recycling arrangements will be in place for all flats within 12 months of the city-wide launch.

Councillor Russell agreed with members that educating residents around the changes to kerbside recycling was central in ensuring the success of the orange bag scheme.  To date, it was explained that teams of officers had been educating residents within the wards that took part in the pilot study, and there was a commitment to proceed with this work using staff from Biffa and the Council’s Waste Management Team, as well as the City Wardens team.  Councillor Russell explained that all Councillors would be asked to consider the proposed communication plan for the scheme, and that this was likely to take place in the coming autumn.

Concern was raised in connection with the transportation of waste materials to MRF facilities.  It was felt that transporting materials via the road network could adversely affect CO2 emissions and it was questioned whether the canal network could be considered for such transportation purposes.  In response, it was stated that this specific option had not been explored and that this would not be practical for a City the size of Leicester because of the volume of materials involved.

In response to a request, Councillor Russell agreed in the future to provide statistics in relation to recycling rates on an area basis.  She explained that such figures would not be available on a ward level as the collection rounds often crossed ward boundaries. 

            RESOLVED:

(1)       That the Board supports the proposals as detailed          within the report; and

(2)       That Cabinet be asked to consider the comments           made by the Board on Kerbside Recycling.