Agenda item

This report outlines the existing recycling practices and evaluates current performance with respect to collection and disposal methods.

Members considered a report outlining existing recycling practices and performance in comparison to nearby local authorities, including recommendations for further work to increase recycling rates across York.

Officers provided and overview and in response to questions from the committee it was noted that:

·       As the city grew there were limited options for expansion at York’s two existing recycling centres; household waste would be considered by the project board looking at options for a green energy park, whilst expansion or relocation the operating depot currently situated at Hazel Court could also be considered.

·       It remained important to separate recycling; it was acknowledged that residents in certain areas had had waste mixed in the past due to a vehicle limitation, this was no longer the case. While it could appear that recycling was being mixed, in practice crews used separate assistance bins for different materials.

·       It was suggested that clear communication about what happened to the recycling residents put out for collection should be included in the consultation, and noted that work was underway with Web Services to improve communications including around the process after collection. Officers would follow up on an offer of support with video production. The Christmas waste calendar would be ready imminently; campaign materials were being finalised and would be communicated to members.

·       Replacement boxes and lids for kerbside recycling were available for free and could be collected from household waste sites.

·       Currently some communal bins were serviced by the commercial waste round for operational reasons. The government’s upcoming recycling reforms presented an opportunity to reduce co-mingling of recycling in the Council’s commercial and communal collections, although some details around the implications for business waste and producer labelling responsibilities were still awaited. Waste Services would look to ensure all businesses were supported to understand what the changes would mean for them.

·       The majority of the Council’s commercial waste customer base were microbusinesses, including many in the city centre who other providers would not service due to physical limitations; bag collections were used in these cases.

·       Garden waste collection would be extended to several newer housing developments in 2025, including Langley Gate and parts of Germany Beck which had not previously had this option.

·       East Riding of Yorkshire Council, which performed very highly for recycling and composting, collected food and garden waste together all year round and employed a two-strike enforcement system to limit contamination. York’s approach focused on encouragement rather than enforcement with fines used as a last resort, although the enforcement function was under consideration as part of the budget process.

·       Evidence from a trial of city centre recycling bins in Leeds suggested that without staff directing their use, around 80% of recycling collected was contaminated.

·       Members enquired about the feasibility of collecting all household waste and recycling together on a fortnightly basis rather than alternating weeks; the current collection system had been designed to maximise operational efficiency but this option could be considered in an upcoming exercise in round optimisation.

Resolved:

                i.                    To support the list of recommendations given at paragraphs 12.1 to 12.13 of the report.

              ii.                    To request that consultation on recycling options be linked to education around what happened to materials during and after collection.

             iii.                    To request that consideration be given to the feasibility and comparative cost of collecting all household waste and recycling together.

            iv.                    To request that the Council encourage the government to set out enforcement measures for compliance with waste regulations, and to encourage the Council to continue to work with small and microbusinesses to encourage them to recycle.

Reason:     To support the ambition of increasing recycling rates across the city.