Agenda item

To consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presenting evidence as part of the Board’s inquiry into Recycling.

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development summarised the previous session of the Board’s Inquiry into recycling and also provided information from the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) and Eco Alternatives.

The Chair welcomed the following to the meeting:

• Samantha Veitch, Leeds Friends of the Earth
• Andrew Mason, Chief Environmental Services Officer
• Susan Upton, Head of Waste Management
• Rachel Gray, WRAP
• Andy Hartley, CO2Sense
• Councillor James Monaghan, Executive Member for Environmental Services

Andrew Mason and Susan Upton addressed the Board.  Key issues highlighted included the following:

• Quality of access – there was a challenge with providing recycling solutions to approximately 30 thousand properties across Leeds.
• Backlogs due to the recent industrial action.
• Rationalisation of collection routes – this was hoped to be completed by June and would enable the redeployment of up to 9 crews for further collections.
• Work with planning colleagues to address issues to improve collection.
• Collection of food waste – a six month pilot of 8 thousand properties was to be undertaken.  An evaluation would be reported to Executive Board following the pilot.
• Recycling proposals within the bids for the residual waste treatment contract.

Samantha Veitch, Rachel Gray and Andy Hartley raised the following issues on behalf of their respective organisations:

• Successful increases in recycling rates in other areas – restricting the collection of residual waste either through reduced numbers of collections or smaller bins had encouraged recycling.
• Recycling of glass – whether this should be done with other materials or not?  It was reported that collection of mixed glass colours reduced the quality for recycling.
• Garden waste – collection could have a negative impact on home composting.
• Hard to reach  properties – examples of offering alternative collection receptacles to residents in other authorities had proved successful.
• How to improve recycling opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) – these organisations often found it cost prohibitive or were unaware of facilities available.  The role of the Council in supporting SMEs was felt to be important.
• Promotion of recycling and associated issues and how to educate on these issues.

Further to Members comments and questions, the following issues were discussed:

• Packaging of goods and how the Council could influence companies not to use excess packaging.  It was reported that products that seemed to be over packaged may not necessarily be so as insufficient packaging could lead to more waste, particularly with food stuffs.  Local authorities, in conjunction with Trading Standards, had powers to prosecute companies who used excess packaging, but this was rarely used.
• Recycling of plastics – markets for recycling plastics were strong, but there were complex issues regarding the kinds of plastics that could be recycled and most efficient means of collection and sorting.
• Members requested further detail on the cost benefits of recycling.
• Production of a local ‘green’ business directory – it was suggested that this could be brought to businesses attention when business rates were distributed.
• Education and training issues.  WRAP offered training services to collection crews which could improve recycling rates.
• Frequency of collections.

The Chair thanked those present for their attendance.  It was reported that the third session of the Inquiry would take account of planning issues.

RESOLVED – That the report and discussion be noted in line with the Board’s Inquiry into Recycling.