Julie Rogers, Director of Environment and Highways, referred Members to the report and updated them on the current position on recycling rates and stated that Thurrock Council, like other local authorities in the United Kingdom, had experienced a decline in levels of recycling. With the key focus of activity being a dedicated communication and education programme. Julie Rogers stated that the key approach for the coming year would be to continue to increase recycling rates with all the challenges she outlined and improve the quality of dry recycling materials, be addressing contamination.

The Chair thanked Julie Rogers for the report.

Councillor Sheridan stated the sticker idea was good and it was great to see that schools were getting involved. Councillor Sheridan observed that the current stickers on bins had worn out and asked whether these could be replaced. That the Council should be more aware when distributing rubbish sacks to local forums that these were recyclable waste sacks.

Councillor Rigby questioned how contamination was detected. Julie Rogers stated that generally the crew would lift the bin lid and identify if contamination was evident.  Where contaminated bins were identified these bins would be locked out. Julie Rogers stated that work with the communications team was taking place to better inform residents of the key contaminates and educate residents as to the appropriate bins for these items.

Councillor Fletcher stated the Council should follow their own rules and provide recyclable waste sacks to local forums, groups and businesses. Those local businesses were confused and required clearer guidance on how best to recycle and asked whether these forums could help to educate residents. Julie Rogers stated a trial to test clear sided euro bins was underway, particularly in communal areas. These could be also used as an educational tool and filled with contaminated items to demonstrate to such forums and was happy to commit to attendance at forums to educate and encourage recycling.

Councillor Abbas questioned whether Julie Rogers believed the national target of 50% of all household waste to be recycled reused and composted was achievable. Julie Rogers stated that where she had worked previously the authority was the worst nationally for recycling at 11%, through a complete change of collection to fortnightly collections and a paid for garden waste service, in year one they increased to 45% and currently sit comfortably at 55%.  Therefore the figure could be achieved but it would depend on appetite for change.

Councillor Abbas asked whether the bin stickers could identify the contaminated items. Julie Rogers stated a balance had to be made to ensure that the Key Performance Indicators for collection were still being met, crews adding stickers to bins and identifying contaminated items could slow the collection process.

Councillor Maney questioned whether a breakdown list of each ward in the borough could be provided that would identify the worst contaminated areas. Julie Rogers stated that currently the days of the week identified the worst contaminated areas. With the introduction of the PDA system this would be able to accurately record by household and identify those residents not participating with recycling so only those properties would be targeted long term.

Councillor Rigby questioned whether alternative approaches could be considered to understand resident’s perceptions to recycling.

The Chair stated that signs could be provided that identified the costs of recycling that may encourage more residents to do their bit.

The Chair stated that bins in cemeteries should form part of the brown bin review.

The Chair questioned how the decline of usage of brown bins in the winter months could be addressed.

Daren Spring stated that a bin review was being undertaken which would address recycling bins and educate residents how best to use the recycling bins currently in situ in the high street and some recreational areas. Euro size bins for cemeteries had now been sourced and would be used within the cemeteries. Educating residents would be ongoing in all areas in terms of what items can and cannot be put in the bins.

Julie Rogers stated that there was a significant drop off of the use of brown bins in the winter months, with predominantly small amounts of food waste being presented.  Julie Rogers agreed to review the brown bins and come back with proposals to reflect ideas from the committee for further consideration.  The intention was for the reduced resource requirement to be implemented in educating and encouraging behaviour change to increase recycling.

Councillor Sheridan asked why residents could not apply for a further or a larger brown bin. Claire Harvey stated that this facility was available now to residents and could be ordered on-line from the Council’s web site. Councillor Sheridan stated the web site was confusing and had to be made more simplified for residents.

Councillor Maney supported the weekly bin collections but thought it futile to collect brown bins weekly in the winter. This item should be added to the work programme to enable Cabinet to make any further decisions.

The Chair also endorsed that the review would not reduce staffing.

The Chair asked Members to agree on the recommendations made in the report.

RESOLVED

1.         That the Cleaner Greener and Safer Overview and Scrutiny Committee received the report for information and comment.

2.         That the Cleaner Greener and Safer Overview and Scrutiny Committee agreed to receive a report back on the proposed pilot scheme in February 2019.

3.         That the Cleaner Greener and Safer Overview and Scrutiny Committee agreed to attend a site visit of the Linford Recycling Centre.