Decision details

The Head of Streetcare Services outlined proposals for revisions to the Council’s operational waste management processes with a view to considering future arrangements for the collection of refuse and recycling designed to aid an increase in the rate of recycling across RCT which will also deliver financial efficiencies; and sought Cabinet’s approval to initiate a consultation exercise in respect of the options for change as presented in the report.

With the agreement of the Leader, two Members of the public spoke on the item and put forward their views to Cabinet Members.

The Cabinet Member for Environment & Leisure spoke of the Council’s current recycling rate of 67.48% and the need to increase it to the Welsh Government target of 70% by 2025. The Cabinet Member spoke of the six Local Authorities, which already have a positive record of refuse collection on a three-weekly basis and felt that there should be very little to place in black bin waste, given RCT collect food, nappies and recycling on a weekly basis. The Cabinet Member welcomed the proposals, which would have benefits in terms of recycling, costs and lowering the carbon footprint.

The Leader and Members took the opportunity to thank the speakers for their contribution and emphasised that if agreed, the proposals would be subject to consultation. In response to the points made by the speakers, the Leader stated that all of RCT’s plastic was recycled. In addition to the six Local Authorities currently collecting refuse on a three-weekly basis, the Leader stated that it was likely many more would consider the move as part of the difficult budget setting process.

The Leader spoke of concerns raised in respect of the potential increase in pests and explained that there was no evidence for this, which had been independently verified; and spoke of Conwy Council, which collect refuse on a four-weekly basis, as an example. The Leader emphasised the importance of recycling and explained that evidence suggests that if done correctly, only 20% of the weekly waste should go in the black bag.

In terms of the trial of the reusable bags, the Leader had reservations about whether it would be a challenge in a typical terrace street and welcomed the opportunity for consultation and a trial.

The Deputy Leader echoed the Leader’s comments and noted that the Council purchased 30.2 million single use bags during 2021/22, at a cost of £877k. In addressing the comments of the speakers, the Deputy Leader emphasised that the need for service changes was a result of the budget gap due to the lack of funds from central government. The Deputy Leader stated that staff were the Council’s greatest asset and the need to prioritise jobs.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To note the content of the report and duly resolve to initiate a public consultation and engagement exercise on the option for change, namely:

(i)          The collection of residual household waste on a 3-weekly basis for all domestic waste collections.

(ii)         Presentation of waste on a 3-weekly basis will be as follows; strict volume control measures will apply to all domestic waste, namely: 

(a)        a maximum of 3 black bags per household, (for those properties with existing black bag waste collections),

(b)        no side waste rule continues for those households with large wheelie bin collections; and

2.             To initiate a trial of the use of reusable recycling sacks for the collection of dry mixed recycling, (DMR); and

3.             That feedback from the consultation/ engagement activity and the trial are each reported back to Cabinet in order for Cabinet to determine whether, and if so how, they would wish to proceed with the option for change.