Agenda item

To receive the report (and Power Point presentation to accompany the report) from the Group Director, Prosperity, Development & Frontline Services in respect of the management of recyclable material in Rhondda Cynon Taf.

The Group Director Prosperity, Development and Frontline Services presented his report on the management of recyclable material in Rhondda Cynon Taf in conjunction with a Power Point presentation under the following headings:-

•      Different Types of plastic

•      What do we collect?

•      What do we do with the material?

•      What we are currently developing?

•      BBC Documentary

•      How many bags were found? & Where they were found?

•      My recent holiday

•      Conclusion

•      Any Questions

Following the classification of different plastics the Group director explained how the local authority currently collects its plastic, how and where it recycles the materials it can collect. Members were assured that the local authority, where possible, will look to recycle the material locally, however as this is not always possible keeping the process within the UK market is a priority. For example, plastic films are sent to Cardiff Trident Park incinerator, PVC and  rigid plastics are sent to a company in Neath. The rigid plastics are sorted into target types and are washed/shredded ready for sale to UK extrusion companies. It was confirmed however that the facility in Bryn Pica will soon be able to deal with rigid plastics at a local level.

The Group Director highlighted the recent recycling developments such as the new materials recovery facility, (MRF) which he confirmed Members would be able to visit once operational and the SBRI mattress facility which will now allow the local authority to recycle mattresses, formerly a difficult material to recycle.

The Group Director reminded Members of the recent BBC documentary, which aimed to highlight the ‘potentially inappropriate’ operating practices of accredited waste management companies. An empty recycling bag from this Authority was found within plastic waste from across the UK outside a town near the Malaysia capital of Kuala Lumpur. In response to the claim the Council sought assurances from its UK waste processing contractors, all of whom are licensed, that the Council’s waste has been properly processed.

Members of the Scrutiny Committee commented that empty recycling bags are used in a number of ways, in some cases even taken on holidays by residents of RCT.  

The Group Director assured Scrutiny that the Council is looking at ways in which it can reduce its use of plastic including at its many events held across the County Borough. He also confirmed that following the BBC documentary, the Municipal recycling figures have not been affected and in fact increased in the months following the airing of the BBC documentary.

Scrutiny discussed the importance of the Supermarkets leading the way by reducing their plastic packaging, particularly the single use plastics and improving their recycling labelling of plastic items for consumers. The Group Director confirmed that trials have been undertaken in some retail outlets in Pontypridd town with water refill points in an effort to reduce the sale of plastic water bottles. At this point, the Chair stressed that the issue of how the Council is tackling its plastic waste would be addressed by the overarching Scrutiny Committee at a future meeting of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

The Chair also reminded Scrutiny that the work in relation to recycling in communal areas was nearing completion and a final report including appropriate recommendations would be forthcoming. He alluded to the recent recycling engagement day, held on the 3^rd July which had been very successful, engaging residents of Rhydyfelin with food waste pledges,

recycling competitions for children as well as door knocking and face to face contact with residents to discuss any barriers to recycling. The Chair wished to formally thank the Waste Services Strategic & Ops Officer for her involvement and to Newydd Housing Association for their cooperation and engagement with RCT Officers in carrying out its work.

In conclusion it was RESOLVED to:-

1.    Acknowledge the information contained within the Power Point presentation and accompanying report in relation to how the Council tackles its plastic recycling; and

2.    Agree that the issue of how the Council tackles and recycles its plastic waste be further considered at a future meeting of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee;