Agenda item

To consider a report setting out proposals to improve the recycling rates of flatted developments.

The Committee considered a report setting out a number of proposals to increase the recycling rates of flatted developments.

It was reported that the Surrey Waste Partnership (SWP) Members’ Group had agreed that as part of a drive to improve the recycling rates from occupiers of flatted developments and other hard to reach properties the Flats Recycling Team would be made a permanent part of the SWP.  To further develop this area, the SWP had agreed to provide up to £700,000 of match funding towards the capital costs for bins and communication materials to promote any of the following activities:

      i.        Expanding food waste services to all flats and Houses in Multiple Occupancy (HMOs)

     ii.        Expanding dry mixed recycling services to all flats and HMOs

    iii.        Reducing Dry Mixed Recycling contamination

   iv.        Expanding the textiles and small electricals services to flats and HMOs

Expanding Food Waste Collection

There were 12,924 flats across the four partner areas which were not currently part of the food waste collection service.  If the food waste collection service was expanded to these properties it was expected that the resulting savings would be in the region of £35,000 however this saving would not cover the additional collection costs that would be incurred.

It was agreed that the potential impact that emptying the proposed Bin In Lid solution would have on productivity levels compared to other methods of food waste collection would be clarified.

Expanding Dry Mixed Recycling to All Flats

The limited number of flats where this service was not currently provided (354 properties across the four partner areas) meant that the scope for delivering benefits was small.  It was also noted that logistically introducing the service could be difficult in a number of these properties for example buildings where rubbish collection chutes were used or where there was limited space to store bins.

Reducing DMR contamination  

Trials of different methods to reduce contamination in dry mixed recycling bins including improved signage, providing residents with reusable recycling bags to transport recycling to outside bins and changing the bin lids so that refuse had to be fed into the bin rather than just being tipped in had all shown to have positive impacts on recycling behaviours reducing the number of contaminated bins from 21% to 9%.

It was acknowledged that replacing bin lids would give the greatest benefits for the least investment and should be considered a priority.

Expanding Textiles and Small Electricals to all flats

There was currently limited coverage of textiles and small electrical collections from flats across the four partner areas and it was felt that this area could provide a significant increase in the amount of recyclable goods being left out for collection.

It was stressed that if this activity was pursued then work would need to take place with Amey to ensure that an adequate collection approach was agreed.

RESOLVED that JWS apply for match funding, from the Surrey Waste Partnership for the following activities in order of priority:

1.    Reduce DMR contamination by modifying existing bin lids, or replacing bin lids in Mole Valley.

2.    Expand textiles and small electrical services to all flats, using modified 140 litre bins, subject to agreeing a satisfactory collection approach with Amey.

3.    Expand food services to all flats, if it is felt that the investment required is acceptable.

4.    Expand DMR services to all flats, wherever possible