Agenda item

To brief the re3 Joint Waste Disposal Board on progress in the delivery of the re3 Joint Waste PFI Contract.

Sarah Innes, re3 presented the Progress report with performance statistics.

Members’ attention was drawn to the recycling rates which had declined across all three Councils. There had been a reduction in recycling tonnes, kerbside collection and bring backs. There had also been a reduction in garden waste tonnes which could be attributed to the recent warm weather. Food waste collection had also declined, and it was speculated that this could be attributed to the rising cost of living. Glass tonnage recycling had also reduced; however it was noted that there had been an increase in glass recycling during COVID and this was now returning to normal levels.

There had been an increased in contamination in mixed dry recycling, which was important to address. Members queried the arrangements for contaminations, and it was clarified that legislation dictated the classification of contaminate particulates which would include things such as loose shredded paper. It was noted that shredded paper should be contained, for example in an envelope, when recycled, and members asked for this to be better communicated to the public as it was expected that the public were not aware.

At a previous meeting, members had asked for further information on the implications of raising the cost per 25 litre unit for soil and rubble disposal from £2.50 to £3. Sarah explained that the income from soil and rubble disposal was around £90,000 which was neutral with the cost of disposal for these materials however the increase to £3 per unit would account for inflation on the contract. The current charging arrangement for re3 was not dissimilar to that of neighbouring Councils. Having discussed the matter, Members agreed with the increase to £3 per unit.

Sarah presented an update on the proposed WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) banks. Officers had used information from a local provider to submit a successful funding application to the Material Focus WEEE fund and were subsequently seeking further quotes from reprocessors to secure the funding. It was noted that there would be no income stream for the reprocessing of electrical items, and the costs had been calculated to carry the project to the end of the PFI contract. Members supported the roll out of banks in principle, subject to ongoing procurement and funding discussions, and noted that the 30 banks would be equally split across the three boroughs.

Sarah presented an update on the Podback scheme following previous discussions at the Board. Re3 had been invited to participate in coffee pod recycling at the Household Waste Recycling Centres, to accept aluminium and plastic coffee pods. While the scheme targeted 80% of coffee pod brands, any pods could be recycled using the scheme. The scheme was being implemented with clear signage and website updates, and it was hoped that the process would go live in July 2023. Although the scheme was classified as a trial, it was hoped that it would become permanent. Members queried how and where the pods would be recycled, and it was clarified that an audit report was in process to cover full details, but all plastics would be recycled within the UK, and the coffee contents of the pods would be processed at an anaerobic digestion facility in the UK. Members were happy to proceed with the scheme, with a review in 6 months’ time.

Members received details on the call for evidence for the Near Elimination of biodegradable waste disposal in landfill by 2028. Officers commented on the potential for some practical incoherencies, and the potential cost for compliance. Officers would seek members’ contribution to the call for evidence submission by 7 July 2023.

RESOLVED that

       i.          Members note the contents of this report

      ii.          Members review the proposed revisions to charges for non-household waste, described at 5.15, and confirm that these should be implemented to deliver full cost recovery

     iii.          Members instruct Officers to proceed with the ‘WEEE bank’ project, as described from 5.21; to roll out a network of collection points for small electrical appliances

    iv.          Members agree to receive a report on the implications of the coffee pod recycling service, 6 months after its launch at the Recycling Centres.