Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Director of Environmental and Regulatory Services which seeks to review the domestic recycling service, including how materials are presented at the kerbside. Also, to initiate public engagement and scrutiny to explore the benefits and costs of moving from recycling boxes to recycling wheeled bins for the majority of domestic properties in York.

Resolved (unanimously): That Executive approves the commencement of public engagement around moving from recycling boxes to recycling bins and the emerging business case to be presented to Scrutiny in May 2026.

The scope of properties will be determined by the engagement exercise to inform a business case to be brought to a future Executive meeting.

Reason: To seek ways to improve efficiency of collections, increase recycling capacity, reduce operating costs, decrease musculoskeletal injuries and reduce street litter.

The Director of Environmental and Regulatory Services submitted a report which sought to review the domestic recycling service, including how materials were presented at the kerbside. Also, to initiate public engagement and scrutiny to explore the benefits and costs of moving from recycling boxes to recycling wheeled bins for the majority of domestic properties in York.

Dave Atkinson, Director of Environmental and Regulatory Services, was in attendance for this item.

The key areas of discussion were:

·      The Leader of the Council highlighted that a business case for the recycling review was to be presented to Scrutiny in May. It provided an opportunity for members to review the proposals and consider any necessary feedback that was required.

·      The Executive Member reported that the report addressed issues with litter that was difficult to contain in boxes and the cost to the council to address it. Containing the litter was a positive step forward for the environment and residents. Recycling boxes caused issues for older residents and those with health conditions. It also supported the workforce who suffered a disproportionate number of musculoskeletal injuries due to the thousands of boxes that they lifted every year.

Resolved (unanimously): That Executive approves the commencement of public engagement around moving from recycling boxes to recycling bins and the emerging business case to be presented to Scrutiny in May 2026.

The scope of properties will be determined by the engagement exercise to inform a business case to be brought to a future Executive meeting.

Reason: To seek ways to improve efficiency of collections, increase recycling capacity, reduce operating costs, decrease musculoskeletal injuries and reduce street litter.