Agenda item

To consider a presentation on progress relating to the collection of food waste following its introduction in April 2019.

The Committee considered a presentation, set out on Agenda pages 23 to 34, which gave an update of the operation of the Council’s food waste collection service.

Irum Gulzar (Specialist – Waste Management and Education) attended the meeting to present the report and answer Member questions.

The presentation informed Members that the food waste collection service had been introduced in April 2019. It supported the Council’s aim to achieve the 50% national recycling target by 2020 and the Council’s aim to reduce waste as part of the declaration of a Climate Emergency.

The new service reduced the amount of greenhouse gas produced by rotting food and saved up to £100 per tonne by diverting waste from landfill. Food waste was collected as part of the weekly blue bag and black box collection. A new fleet of waste collection vehicles had been deployed which allowed residual, mixed recycling and food waste to be collected in the same vehicle.

The Committee was also informed that the EU Circular Economy targets had been incorporated into UK legislation. The targets were 55% recycling by 2025, 60% recycling by 2030 and 65% recycling by 2035. The Committee considered further potential initiatives aimed at meeting these stretching targets.

In the ensuing discussion, Members raised the following points:

The food waste collection service did not, currently, apply to flats. What impact would there be once flats were included in the scheme? It was confirmed that collection from flats would start at the end of the year and would increase the overall level of collection. However, it was likely to be more difficult to encourage residents in flats to engage with the scheme. It was suggested that Members be notified when food waste collection was expanded to flats in their areas. Members would then be able to assist with communications.

How did WBC plan to encourage more residents to join in the scheme? This tied in with the Council’s work on tackling the Climate Emergency. It was important to communicate with residents and, especially, with young people on these issues.

What progress had been made in reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill? It was confirmed that, in 2006, 60% of waste had been sent to landfill. By 2018 this had been reduced to 10%. In the current year it was estimated that 3% of waste would be sent to landfill. Members requested more information on the most recent impacts of the collection of food waste and data on the cost of energy from waste versus landfill.

What measures could be taken to reduce the amount of paper/card lost to recycling due to wet weather? It was confirmed that communications were ongoing to encourage residents to keep paper/card dry, for example by placing blue bags on top of the black boxes. The potential for putting lids on the black boxes had been considered, but it was felt that the cost would be prohibitive. Similarly, setting up a covered central collection point was not considered to be effective due to the risk of contamination with other items.

What percentage of households were taking part in the food waste collection service? It was estimated that 36,500 households were taking part, which was over 50%. The aspiration was to achieve a further increase in take up.

There was some confusion about the use of green bags with the food waste caddies. Were there plans for further communication? It was confirmed that a group was being set up to look at ways to improve communications on the scheme. There were also plans to improve communications with local schools.

When was the deadline for achieving 50% recycling? It was confirmed that the deadline was December 2020, but that WBC was already achieving 55% (including 6% from food waste collection).

There was some concern about bins being thrown around following collection, potentially leading to damage and replacement. It was confirmed that these issues were discussed with Veolia (the Council’s contractor) and that operatives faced disciplinary action for mistreating bins.

What further measures would the Council have to take to achieve the further stretching recycling targets – 60% by 2030 and 65% by 2035? It was confirmed that this would be a step-by-step process with measures to reduce contamination, such as the issues around wet paper and card. It would also rely on behaviour change from residents and suppliers such as supermarkets reducing the amount of packaging on products. Longer-term proposals would be reported back to the Committee in due course.

RESOLVED That:

1)     Irum Gulzar be thanked for attending the meeting to answer Member questions;

2)     the update on the WBC food waste collection service be noted;

3)     the additional information requested at the meeting be circulated to Members;

4)     the Committee receive a further update on Waste and Recycling (including food waste collection) at the meeting in July 2020.