Agenda item

The Panel to discuss the twin, wheeled-bin scheme and opportunities to promote the scheme with a design competition for children.

Roll-out of Twin Bin Scheme

The Panel were advised that the provisional colour choice for wheeled bins for wheeled bins were black for residual waste and silver for recyclables. Black had been selected because it was associated with household and domestic waste. Silver was chosen for recyclables because it would be identifiable and had been popular in other authorities.  Members of the Panel discussed the implications of different coloured bins: black and silver bins would hold their colour better over a longer period. The Head of Waste and Contract Services said the main problem with black bins would be that they would be difficult to pick out; a coloured strip could be added to make them easier to locate. One member suggested that the bins should be unobtrusive because people would have to live with them. If the bins blended in too well, there would be a danger of them being missed.

One member of the Panel was concerned that consultation had not been District-wide. Copies of SK Today, in which the questionnaire was circulated, had not been distributed to all houses in the District. Although questionnaires were also available on the Council’s website, not all members of the public had access to the internet. Members were advised that when officers had been made aware that SK Today had not been delivered, copies of the questionnaire were reproduced and distributed.

A suggestion was made that a consultation exercise on colour should be carried out. There was some concern that if consultation were undertaken, the roll out of the scheme would be significantly delayed. It would be time consuming to produce and circulate questionnaires, collate their results and find consensus given the large number of available options. The Healthy Environment Portfolio Holder stated that some consultation was planned. The provisional colours for the bins would be publicised and members of the public would be asked what they thought. If someone suggested a strong reason against one colour, comments would be taken on board. A majority of members agreed that black and silver were suitable colours.

The Head of Waste and Contract Services stated that the tendering process had begun. Tender advertisements for bins and bin lifts were out and some expressions of interest had been received. A full product specification would need to be produced in February 2006; this would include the colours for the wheeled bins.

A report had been submitted to the Cabinet on 9^th January 2006 with a full project plan, which outlined key dates. Copies were circulated for information. Collection arrangements for areas where wheeled bins would be inappropriate were to be confirmed. It was suggested that the Waste Management Working Group should be reformed to allow regular updates on the roll out of the scheme. This was agreed.

Design Competition for Promotion of Twin Bin Scheme

Members discussed whether it would be feasible to run a design competition for schools to publicise the twin-bin scheme. The ‘Rodney’ logo was commonly associated with recycling in South Kesteven, featured at bring sites and on vehicles and literature. To replace this logo would mean great expense; the new logo would need to be heavily publicised to establish recognition. During past initiatives, the response from schools had been poor.

Provision for publicity of the scheme had been requested for budgetary consideration. There would be discussions with PR specialists on the most effective way to roll the programme out. The publicity campaign would involve door knocking, identified as one of the best ways of getting information to people.

It was hoped that a trip to North Kesteven (postponed from Thursday 12^th January 2006), would provide lessons for roll-out. There was also the potential for the Waste Management Working Group and Cabinet members to visit Newark and Sherwood District Council to learn about the roll out of their scheme.

CONCLUSIONS:

1. To recommend to Cabinet that wheeled bins should be:

Black – residual waste

Silver – recyclables

2. To reform the Waste Management Working Group made up of Councillors Waterhouse, Craft, Miss Channell and Helyar.