Agenda item

The Committee received a report of the Corporate Director of Neighbourhoods and Climate Change and supporting presentation that provided an overview of the strategic waste management policy, context and service delivery with regard to management household waste and recycling in County Durham (for copy of report and slides, see file of minutes).

Oliver Sherratt, Head of Environmentgave a presentation which highlighted the following areas:

·        Councils overall approach to waste management, reduction campaigns to encourage reuse and promote recycling;

·        Challenges of contamination;

·        Collection Services;

·        Safety and Policy;

·        Challenges relating to Covid-19;

·        Progress made;

·        Environment Bill and Waste and Resources Strategy for England 2018;

·        Look ahead.

The Head of Service explained that in recent decades there has been dramatic changes in the way society thought about waste and now people were more conscious of reusing and recycling rather than disposal.  He described how there was now a circular economy in relation to recycling and reusing an advised that Biffa had developed a plastic recycling plant in Seaham which employed 100 people.

The Head of Service outlined the service’s large resource capacity and its productivity covering the whole of the county divided into three operational areas.  He described the various waste reduction campaigns including those such as the Green Move Out in partnership with Durham University encouraging students to give their pots and pans for reuse rather than throwing them out.  The University them sells them to new students, thus reducing the amount of waste generated.

Members were advised of the processes involved in recycling from the collection at the kerbside through to recycled products back on the shelf.  Although the process did have its challenges in relation to contaminated recycling, however the service had previously ran campaigns to ensure the right waste was placed the correct bin and the Portfolio Holder was keen to initiate a campaign regarding basics and re-stickering of bins to raise awareness what goes in which bin.

In relation to garden waste the Head of Service informed members that DCC now made their own compost from garden waste collected.  The compost had undergone and passed all tests from the Environment Agency and now DCC was in a position to sell the compost.

Members were informed that currently DCC uses the Energy from Waste plant at Haverton Hill but this contract was due to end and a new multi council procurement within the Tees Valley was underway for post 2025.

The Head of Service advised that the Environment Act had received royal assent, the Act included food waste collections, consistent waste collections, garden waste collections – potentially free but may have maximum charges and the service was planning for these changes.

Councillor Adam highlighted there was no disruption to waste collection services due to Covid and thanked the service for this and queried if any changes had been made to the recycling policy specifically in relation to glass as he had received concerns from constituents that glass was not being separated at collection; and how the Energy from Waste treatment facility fits in with the policy with regards to the climate emergency response. He was concerned that the system would encourage more incineration which produces CO2 emissions and air pollution and how this would affect DCC’s carbon reduction targets. The Head of Environment clarified there had been no change to the recycling policy and glass should be kept separate from other recycling materials. The collection vehicles had a separate compartment within them at the side of the vehicle for collecting glass, this was deliberate as not to cause contamination of the other recycling should the glass break.  Regarding the Energy from Waste treatment facility, he advised that local authorities are awaiting the implementation of the National Waste and Resources Strategy and anticipated a reduction in waste that is produced in relation to supermarket packaging. This project links to the Teesside zero carbon scheme, linking up the sequestration of carbon and usage for heat and could be a national exemplar of best practice.

Responding to a question from Councillor P Atkinson regarding incentives offered to business and how recycling was monitored, the Head of Environment, advised that the Waste and Resource Strategy will have tax leanings and more requirements for businesses to recycle more and use less raw products. He added that advice is provided and depending on the size of the business, weekly recycling collections were offered. With the implementation of the strategy, it was anticipated that businesses will be more proactive.

Councillor J Quinn queried the accuracy of the bin collection success rate as he felt figures were a lot less in relation to abandoned bins and suggested that clear information needs to be provided regarding recyclable items that have been contaminated. He referred to complaints he had received in relation to bulky waste not being collected and suggested that time stamped photographs be taken to eliminate any disputes. The Head of Environment advised that statistics were derived by the number of bins collected and the number of missed bins that residents report. Abandoned bins were not included in this information, therefore would not register on the statistics. He advised that members concerns regarding abandoned bins would be taken on board when considering future campaigning and would feedback suggestions to the bulky waste team.

In response to Councillor Quinn’s question about education the Head of Service advised the service would be increasing the content of the website so residents can check what goes in which bin.

Councillor Potts expressed his appreciation to the Clean and Green team who donated compost to the ‘in bloom’ and polytunnel projects. It was noted that replacing labelling on bins was a simple and effective way of advising residents what can and cannot be recycled. He referred to the furniture reuse scheme and asked if veterans services were able to access the scheme. The Head of Environment advised that there were several schemes available throughout the county and he would forward contact details.

Responding to queries from Councillor L Brown regarding issues with student bins and the length of time before abandoned contaminated bins are collected, the Head of Environment acknowledged the issue and confirmed the work carried out with students as many come from overseas and other parts of the country. He advised that crews tend to report contaminated bins and are collected when owners have been identified. It was noted that there was a one-off charge for lost or stolen bins and when possible, residents would be offered a used bin at reduced cost, subject to supply.

Councillor Elmer referred to County Durham’s recycling figures for 2019 and compared against the national average, noting that figures in Wales which had a similar economy setting to County Durham were almost 15% higher. Frequency of messaging and education were known to be linked with behavioural change. He suggested consolidating work and focusing on clear goals allowing more capacity to achieve behavioural change, therefore asked if it was possible to rationalise education activities to release capacity and resources to achieve a higher frequency of messaging. The Head of Environment advised that County Durham have the highest figures in the North East in terms of recycling, however the explanation for figures lower than the national average was down to food waste collection. He highlighted national consistency with regards to collections and recycling and advised that if achieved, there would be more consistent national and regional messaging. The service recognised the benefits of the frequency of messaging and was hoping that once the contamination campaign begins it will continue for a year.

Referring to the Energy from Waste facility, Councillor Elmer expressed concern regarding the viability of carbon capture and creating a demand for waste in order for it to be commercially viable. He understood that the Council may well reduce the quantity of residual waste to be incinerated, however the difference could be made up by the private sector. The Head of Environment advised that the new arrangements would reflect the National Waste and Resources Strategy in relation to planning information and capacity. In terms of technology, the Energy from Waste was the only viable way forward as there were no other viable alternatives. He acknowledged that the carbon capture has not yet been agreed but emphasised if it were to happen, it would be the best environmental option.

The Chair thanked the Head of Environment for his presentation.

Resolved:

That the content of the report and presentation be noted.