Agenda item

The separate kerbside collection of paper and card for recycling is being rolled out across Lincolnshire. This paper proposes the introduction of the service within South Kesteven. 

The Deputy Leader of the Council presented the report which outlined the adoption of the Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy for Lincolnshire. The Strategy set out how the seven Lincolnshire district councils would work together with Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) as members of the LWP.

The overarching aim was to protect the environment by delivering sustainable waste management services and establish best value waste management practices for the benefit of Lincolnshire. South Kesteven District Council is a “Waste Collection Authority” and had a duty to collect household waste. Lincolnshire County Council was the “Waste Disposal Authority” and was required to manage the disposal of waste collected by waste collection authorities.

The Council introduced wheeled bins for the separate kerbside collection of residual waste and mixed dry recyclable (MDR) materials in 2007. All target MDR was currently collected in one silver bin or clear sack which is then sorted at a materials recycling facility. Residents can choose to subscribe to the garden waste collection scheme which also contributes to the overall recycling rate.

In 2021/22 the recycling rate in South Kesteven was 43%, which was similar to both the Lincolnshire and average national rates. The quality of the recyclable material collected in Lincolnshire had historically been poor with around 31% of materials collected from households at kerbside being “contaminated”, meaning recyclable materials were either contaminated with other materials such as foodstuffs, nappies etc and are not able to be recycled.

The Assistant Director of Operations and Public Protection reiterated that South Kesteven District Council would be the 5^th authority for the roll out of separate collection of paper and card.

Concern was raised on those residents that lived in flats, terraced houses, or houses with small gardens. It was queried as to how the Council would communicate and work with those who lived in smaller properties.

It was thought that following Cabinet, the report would go to Full Council due to the decision affecting every Ward within the District, it was queried as to why it was no longer going to Full Council as part of the roll-out timetable. 

The Assistant Director of Operations and Public Protection confirmed that the team at Lincolnshire County Council would be visiting households with a particular focus on flats or those that require support to improve their recycling practices overall and to establish whether they could join the scheme.

Lincolnshire County Council were exploring options for the future for those residents that are unable to have a bin, to enable them to participate through a ’sack-scheme’.

The Chief Finance Officer clarified that there was no requirement for the report to receive a Full Council decision due to no budget amendments required or policy framework changes.

The Leader of the Council informed the Committee the new administration was fully committed to being open and accountable. Cabinet was content to consider an addition to the recommendation from the Committee to consider the item at Full Council.

It was queried as to whether the Council had the provision to implement further food waste bins in the future, which may assist residents in preparing storage space for their bins.

The Deputy Leader of the Council noted the Council that the Environment Act would mandate the collection of food waste with funding but at present the Council did not currently have the financial resources to facilitate collection of food waste themselves. The food waste bins would be reasonably smaller than 240l bins provided.

A Member queried as to whether the collection of paper card would be mandatory to residents or not.

The legislation allowed the District Council to direct how residents presented their waste. The Council were able to mandate how residents separate and sort their waste. Support and education would be provided to residents on the introduction of the separate collection of paper and card.

One Member questioned as to whether a smaller paper and card bin would be an option to explore.

The Assistant Director of Operations and Public Protection confirmed that the standard roll out of all purple lidded bins were 240l.

Further concern was raised on those residents that do not have the space to store an additional bin, it was requested what the communication strategy with residents would entail.

It was suggested that Members be provided with a briefing note to be able to answer frequently asked questions by residents within the District.

A query was raised on whether utilising communal storage areas for bins had been considered.

It was noted that some of the South Kesteven owned flats and sheltered accommodation properties had shared 1100l bins in a communal space. Furthermore, the addition of a 1100l paper and card bin could be implemented within communal spaces.

A Member queried the carbon footprint on the manufacturing of the purple lidded bins.

The carbon footprint figures were unknown; however, the information would be brought back to the Committee.

It was hoped that the carbon footprint of the manufacturing of the purple lidded bin would be incredibly less that the waste which would go into the energy from a waste incinerator or landfill.

It was further requested that the report be heard by Full Council as part of a previous timetable.

It was proposed and seconded that an amendment be made to the recommendation for the item to go to Full Council following Cabinet, to enable all Members to contribute. This amendment fell.

Concern was raised on the timescale of the report being heard by Full Council, which would delay decisions being made.

The Chief Finance Officer clarified that there was no requirement for the report to be heard by Full Council. There was a requirement for the report to be heard at Cabinet where it would be presented. The Committee could only request that Cabinet consider whether the report be taken to Full Council.

The Leader of the Council emphasised that all Members had been given the opportunity to participate in debate on this matter.

It was proposed, seconded and AGREED that the Committee:

1.    Recommends to Cabinet that the separate kerbside collection of paper and card for recycling is implemented across the district.

2.    Recommends to Cabinet that the revised South Kesteven District Council Waste and Recycling Operational Policy is adopted.

(Councillor Mark Whittington abstained from the vote).