Agenda item

To note the performance of the re3 councils for 2009/10 and the action plans for 2010/11.

The Board considered a report on the performance of the re3 councils for 2009/10.

The Project Manager  informed the Board that there had been a reduction in waste and that  could result in financial implications.  The tonnage of refuse collected by the Councils had fallen on average by 3.3% and for mixed dry recyclables (MDR) by 6.3%.  Influencing the performance levels included contamination of MDR and rejections at the Material Reclamation Facility (MRF) at Smallmead.  The Project Manager  added that the contractor would be undertaking a trial to test the MRF rejections and determine whether  recirculation could be introduced.  It was noted that further information regarding the MRF trial would be brought to the next Joint Waste Disposal Board meeting.

Action - Project Manager

The National Indicator (NI) targets gave percentage details for the re3 Councils during 2009/10 on the waste per household; reuse, recycling and composting; and municipal waste landfilled. The Project Manager reported that, both in performance and financial terms, the focus for the future should be on less landfill and more recycling.

The performance of the re3 councils for 2009/10 and improvement plans for 2010/11 were discussed and outlined as follows;

Bracknell Forest – Results were below target for waste, with recycling at 37.05%.  The percentage of landfilled waste had dropped due to the use of energy from waste plant in Colnbrook.  During 2009/10 campaigns and events had taken place with articles in local papers, and road shows promoting and educating the public on waste issues.  This work would continue in 2010/11 with focus on badly performing areas and promotion of recycling, reuse and waste minimisation.

Reading – The amount of residual waste per household had exceeded the target and winter  weather had an affect on the amount of waste recycled and reused.  During 2009/10 the ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ campaign had been promoted alongside recycling events and activities.  Extra bottle banks and battery collection points had been established across the community, and work had taken place with students at the University of Reading which would continue into 2010/11.  Future activities would include focus on contamination, collection rounds reorganisation, target of poor performing areas, and redesign of the website to link postcodes to recycling opportunities.

Wokingham – There had been a reduction in residual waste per household and a reduction in  the amount of waste sent to landfill.   Work had taken place in promoting the ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ campaign, and there had been continued talks and visits to community groups to promote recycling.  Participation with the collection contractor to address contamination had been undertaken.  A ‘yellow’ and ‘red’ card scheme would be developed to address recycling and contamination. Future work would continuing in promoting waste minimisation and increased recycling.

The Board discussed ways to promote recycling with focus on education and promotion.  It was suggested that food waste could also be considered, it was noted that this had previously been investigated but was deemed too costly.  However ongoing work was being reviewed regarding food waste with focus on new technologies.

RESOLVED that

1          The provisional National Indicator (NI) results for 2009/10 be noted.

2          The individual reports from the re3 councils on performance for 2009/10 be noted.

3          The individual actions plans from the re3 councils for 2010/11 be noted.