Agenda item

To receive a presentation in respect of the results of the door-stepping waste survey recently undertaken.

The Panel received a presentation from the Head of Environmental Services and the Waste Collections Manager which detailed the results of the Bracknell Forest Waste Collection Doorstepping Project 2010.

2009/10 Waste Analysis indicated that Crown Wood and Great Hollands had higher landfill and lower recycling levels than other areas in the borough. The Doorstepping exercise was carried out in those areas to obtain clear understanding of the perceptions of residents in relation to what had led to the poor results, to increase participation in recycling and to ensure the best methods of communication about waste issues were used.

Doorstepping and road shows took place in August 2010 with questionnaires used as a basis for information gathering. 8,753 visits resulted in 2,518 residents spoken to which was 31.65% of the local population. Key results from the survey showed that 86.6% used the blue bins for dry recyclables, 83% recycled glass via local recycling sites, 2% thought all plastic could be recycled and 61% thought leaflets were the best form of communication.

Further work on waste recycling would include ‘Are you doing it right?’ leaflets, promotion of recycling through the new Waste Collection Contract August 2011, Waste Education through schools and Recycling Champions in different parts of the borough.

It was agreed that the full results report from the Doorstepping Survey and the questionnaire used to consult with residents would be circulated to Members of the Panel.

Arising from the subsequent discussion the following points were noted:

• There was a contamination scale for recyclable material. Contamination of over 10% would result in the affected load of waste being rejected from recycling. The contamination rate in Bracknell Forest was currently 14% and contaminants were sent to the Energy from Waste facility rather than landfill.
• A large proportion of contamination occurred when people collected recyclable goods in carrier bags before transporting them to the blue bins. These were then put in the bin full rather than being emptied out of the plastic bag which could not be recycled.
• Future work for the Department would focus on informing people of what to recycle and targeting specific areas. Reusable hemp bags had been developed for storing recyclables before collection and would be distributed to reduce the number of plastic carrier bags being placed in the blue recycling bins.
• A Waste Education Programme was in place through the schools to increase children’s awareness of recycling. Pupils were given the opportunity to visit the material recycling facility. Education and re-enforcing the message were key to increasing recycling in Bracknell Forest.
• Results of the Doorstepping survey showed that 62.4% of residents would like to see supermarkets reduce the amount of food packaging used. Supermarkets were currently working together under the Courtauld Commitment to address packaging nationally and a paper relating to the Commitment would be circulated to Panel Members for information.
• It was suggested that Officers share the Doorstepping information with Waitrose whose headquarters were located in the borough and work with them on a corporate level to address the issue.
• Shredded paper could be put in the blue recycling bins, however it needed to be contained within a paper bag or cardboard box to prevent it falling out of the sorting machine.

The Panel thanked Officers for their presentation, congratulated the Team for the work they had undertaken in encouraging residents to recycle and wished them luck on future projects to increase the awareness of waste collection and recycling.