Agenda item

The Board received a presentation from Rory Brien, General Manager for re3 from FCC on issues currently pertinent to re3 business.

Waste composition analysis had shown the percentage of waste which could have been recycled which was in waste bins, and Rory explained there was approximately £5m total savings which could have been achieved by Councils if all waste had been placed in correct containers. Re-sampling was underway for waste composition analysis for this year, and the outcome of this would be applied to waste flow forecasts across the re3 Councils to see if the potential savings figures were still relevant, taking into account fluctuation in material recycling values. This year’s resampling would take into account any materials in general waste which could have been collected under the FlexCollect scheme. The outcome of the resampling would allow Councils to identify any particular waste placed in the wrong bin which could be addressed through local communications and initiatives. 

Rory commented on whether near zero landfill as achievable for the re3 district. At present, lots of the landfilled waste through re3 was bulky fly-tipped materials. New legislation diverted some materials to Energy for Waste, if the material was shredded and appropriately mixed with other material. FCC were investigating whether a new shredding facility within re3 or be using an existing FCC shredding facility would deliver additional savings to Councils. Rory also commented that as re3 managed some asbestos at its sites, it was not possible to achieve absolute zero landfill but there was the potential for 99% diversion.

Members noted that re3 were looking to build on the Reuse pop-up shops in October and were working with Sue Ryder to divert as many items as possible from disposal.

Rory presented on the prevalence of single-use vapes and the incorrect disposal of them. According to surveys, only 17% of single-vape users claimed to recycle them. 700 fires per year were linked to disposed batteries and vapes, which could start fires when damaged in the general waste collection process.  In the year to date, there had been 8 fires across re3 sites linked to batteries of vapes within the waste. Although none of these fires had progressed to cause serious damage, the fire service had been called three times. Once a fire was extinguished, any material which was wet could no longer be reprocessed or sold. There were concerns about what would happen if there was a large incident at either Longshot Lane or Smallmead, and the potential disruption to service could be catastrophic.  It was stressed that communications with the public needed to be increased on the subject, and the correct disposal of batteries and vapes should be promoted. FCC were investigated potential single-use vape drop-off points in public places such as universities, libraries and other suitable community sites.

Members thanked Rory for his presentation and the following points were noted arising from questions:

·        Members were interested to find out how re3 authorities compared with other local authorities on the waste composition analysis. It was commented that the Local Government Association may have access to this data and officers agreed to investigate this further. (Action: Oliver Burt?)

·        The drop-off units for single-use vapes were specially designed to minimise the danger of batteries exploding. The Government was exploring putting the responsibility on the producer for disposal of single-use vapes, but this was not yet in place. It was commented that the single-use vape market had taken off so quickly that the associated infrastructure for disposal had not yet caught up.

·        The existing FCC shredding facility was in Oxfordshire. Proposals for an re3 shredding facility would include a traded service to other neighbouring authorities and trade waste commercial organisations, and any costed proposals would be presented to re3 members for their consideration.

·        There was already a kerbside bulky item collection, and there was not thought to be significant interest in a kerbside collection for wood specifically. Rory agreed to send the figures around wood in general waste bins which had been explored through compositional analysis. (Action: Rory Brien/Oliver Burt)

·        Members requested that officers consider appropriate avenues for ongoing lobbying in terms of vape disposal responsibility. (Action: Oliver Burt)

·        Members requested separate reports to come to a future meeting on the options and costs associated to single-use vapes, and the shredding facility proposition with options and costs. (Action: Oliver Burt)