Agenda item

To consider an update on the carbon savings linked to proposed changes to the waste collection service.

The Committee considered a report, set out at Supplementary Agenda Page 3, which gave details of the projected Carbon savings linked to the proposed changes to the Council’s waste collection service.

The proposed changes to the service included a move from the current weekly collection of refuse and recycling to an alternate weekly waste collection model including:

·           Move to a fortnightly collection of refuse in wheeled bins, ceasing the supply of blue bags;

·           Move to a fortnightly collection of dry recycling using the existing green reusable sacks;

·           Maintaining the existing weekly food recycling collections and the paid garden waste collections.

The report stated that the carbon savings linked to the proposed changes had been calculated using a methodology approved by the Waste Resources Action Programme (WRAP). The table included in the report indicated that carbon savings would be delivered in relation to dry recycling, residual waste and organic recycling. The total projected Carbon saving was 2,415 tonnes CO2e per annum.

In the ensuing discussion, Members raised the following points:

The proposed changes to the waste service would be underpinned by an extensive communications campaign. How would this be delivered? It was confirmed that the communications campaign would contain a number of strands, starting before the new wheeled bins were rolled out. The aim would be to provide clear guidance for residents on which materials should go in the relevant bin or bag.

In relation to the projected Carbon saving of 2,415 tonnes CO2e per annum, how did this figure compare to the current baseline position? It was confirmed that the calculation would vary depending on the type of materials involved in each waste stream. The figures were consistent with the information submitted to the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee at its meeting on 22 February 2023. It was confirmed that an update on the calculations could be circulated to Members after the meeting.

In relation to the reported Carbon increase of 325 tonnes CO2e per annum linked to transport, were there any plans to address this through, for example, using more local sites? It was confirmed that the calculation was based on the current treatment routes which may change in 2024. The Carbon impact of transport had increased as an increase in the amount of recyclables meant more journeys to disposal points. Members would receive an update in due course.

Were there any plans to introduce electric or hydrogen powered waste vehicles as part of the changes? It was confirmed that this would be a matter for discussion with the re3 partnership. Any developments, including potential Carbon savings, would be reported back to Members in due course.

The Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP) referred to Carbon savings of 48,000 tonnes CO2e. What was the link to the 2,415 tonnes CO2e saving outlined in the report? It was confirmed that the savings from the changes to the waste service were one of a number of elements in the CEAP. This would be clarified in the next update of the CEAP due in the summer of 2023. The draft CEAP update would be submitted to this Committee for consideration prior to submission to Council.

RESOLVED That:

1)     Ian Shenton, Richard Bisset and Emma Tilbrook be thanked for attending the meeting to answer Member questions;

2)     the update on projected Carbon savings from the changes to the waste service be noted;

3)     additional information, requested in the discussions, be circulated to Members.