Issue - meetings

This report provides information regarding options for the introduction of a domestic battery recycling service along with the recommendation by the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee (3rd October 2023).

Note:  Councillor Charmaine Morgan and Nicola McCoy-Brown returned to the Council Chamber.

Purpose of report

This report provided information regarding options for the introduction of a domestic battery recycling service along with the recommendation by the Environment Overview & Scrutiny Committee held on 3 October 2023.

Decision

That Cabinet:

1.    Noted the report and the outcome and agreed recommendation from the Environment Overview & Scrutiny Committee held on 3 October 2023:

a) Noting the contents of the report.

b) Recommended that option D - Kerbside Collection -The implementation of akerbside scheme with residents providing their own bags as the most cost efficient and sustainable method’.

2.    Agrees and approves the recommendations by the Environment Overview & Scrutiny Committee, namely that a kerbside scheme be implemented with residents providing their own bags as the most cost efficient and sustainable method.

Alternative options considered and rejected

a) Status Quo - Continue as currently, with residents using the take back scheme and household waste recycling centres.

No Additional Cost

b) Communications Campaign - Carry out a managed communications campaign promoting the “take back” scheme through social media, the Council’s website and other communication channels to raise the profile and benefits of recycling batteries safely.

Cost - up to £5,000 depending on the type, timescale and extent of campaign.

c) Kerbside Collection - Implement a kerbside scheme with bags provided for residents’ use (supply of 4 bags per annum but has an ongoing cost)

Cost £71,800

d) Kerbside Collection - Implement a kerbside scheme with residents providing their own bags and run alongside a communication campaign. Retrofit Vehicles £8,000, Communication Campaign £5,000

Total Cost £13,000

Summary of Estimated Costs

Reasons for decision

A number of reasons behind the decision were set out in the report, and repeated below:

·       Local Authorities were not required to collect used batteries from households.

·       The collection of batteries showed commitment from the Council for recycling additional items safely.

·       The introduction of a battery recycling scheme would not necessarily eliminate incidents of waste collection vehicle conflagration.

·       The waste freighter fire at Ingoldsby in March 2023, where rubbish from a bin lorry had to be dumped onto the road to be extinguished was the only recorded incident of this type for the Council.

·       There were varying costs for each of the options above which the service would need to absorb.

·       Retailers and distributors had responsibilities if they sold or supplied 32kg or more of portable batteries per year, in terms of providing free collection points for the ‘takeback scheme’.

·       The ‘takeback scheme’ scheme aligned with producer responsibility as identified in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46