Issue - meetings

That the introduction of weekly separate collection of food waste be approved as detailed in the report subject to:

1)      it being operationally possible and financially viable with the final financial outcomes to be reported to a future meeting of the Executive;

2)      options being investigated including benchmarking to cover cost savings or otherwise where food waste has been introduced in other authorities;

3)      vehicle usage be further investigated and reported back to the Executive.

(Councillor Norman Jorgensen declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this item)

The Executive considered a report setting out a proposal to introduce a separate collection of food waste on a weekly basis.

Councillor David Lee confirmed that the Council would still be retaining weekly refuse collection and the proposal was intended to increase recycling rates.  It was noted that when the blue bags were checked it was found that approximately 30% of the contents of the bags was actually food waste.  Therefore if 50% of this food waste was collected separately this would save money and improve the Council’s recycling performance.

Councillor Lee explained that the Council would have to ensure that the proposal was operationally possible and financially viable.  As an example of one of the areas that would need consideration was where the separate container that was required would be located on the bin lorries, particularly as they already had two compartments at the back; one which receives the blue bags and one that receives the recycling.  In order to ensure that further consideration is given to these aspects and that the vehicles that are currently used are suitable and do not have to be replaced Councillor Lee proposed the following revised recommendation which was agreed by the Executive:

“That the introduction of weekly separate collection of food waste be approved as detailed in the report subject to:

1)      it being operationally possible and financially viable with the final financial outcomes to be reported to a future meeting of the Executive;

2)      options being investigated including benchmarking to cover cost savings or otherwise where food waste has been introduced in other authorities;

3)      vehicle usage be further investigated and reported back to the Executive.

During discussion of the item Councillor Whittle emphasised that not only would the proposal increase recycling it would bring the Council closer to the 50% Government recycling target which if not achieved would lead to substantial fines.  Councillor Haitham Taylor also highlighted that the proposal also included collection of additional materials eg pots, tubs, trays etc which were not currently able to be recycled.

RESOLVED:  That the introduction of weekly separate collection of food waste be approved as detailed in the report subject to:

1)      it being operationally possible and financially viable with the final financial outcomes to be reported to a future meeting of the Executive;

2)      options being investigated including benchmarking to cover cost savings or otherwise where food waste has been introduced in other authorities;

3)      vehicle usage be further investigated and reported back to the Executive.