Waste and recycling service change (October 2015) HWP – Members’ Group 25 July 2016 Peter Linkson – Director of Environmental Services

Review, results and reflections…. Review of service change (October 2015) o Alternate weekly refuse collection from 180 litre wheeled bins (previously weekly from sacks) o Re-direct cardboard from green waste bins to new kerbside box for mixed cardboard and paper Impact of change Future direction of travel

Objectives 1.Reduce waste and increase recycling. 2.Improve services for residents. 3.Remove cardboard from the green waste stream (contamination issue). 4.Assist with the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy (future savings requirements).

Results of service change ‘It worked’ - significant reduction in residual waste collected and increases in the volume of recycling tonnages collected. Increase in the recycling rate from 35% in 2014/15 to 40.2% in 2015/16 (pro rata impact, six month period only). >42% predicted in 2016/17 (full year impact from service change) (+7% increase).

Residual waste tonnages 2015/16

Paper/cardboard tonnages 2015/16

Plastics/cans tonnages 2015/16

Glass tonnages 2015/16

Hertfordshire comparison Local authority2015/16 provisional recycling rate Three Rivers59.8% North Herts57.5% St Albans52.3% Dacorum50.5% East Herts48.4% Welwyn Hatfield48% Hertsmere42.3% Watford40.4% Broxbourne40.2% Stevenage39.5%

Street arisings Street arisings (litter, fly-tips, etc) tonnages increased by 11% compared with the previous year . Increase could be linked to: –General trend of increased fly-tips. –Waste and recycling service change. –Litter and dog waste bin review. 67% of street sweepings composted during period.

Green waste contamination – resolved! Publicity drive and more diligent methodology for rejecting bins. Staff check and sticker contaminated bins and do not empty contaminated bins. Cardboard has been removed and issues with contamination resolved.

Improved services for residents Residents can recycle all types of cardboard at the kerbside, including bulky/large boxes. Residents can recycle more types of plastics and other recyclables. Residents no longer need to pay for, or travel for additional purple refuse sacks. No more split waste sacks from animals (e.g. foxes) resulting in cleaner street scene. Improved assisted collection service.

Customer contacts

Customer contacts – ‘reflections’

Savings delivered Annual cost of waste and recycling services reduced by over £200,000. £232k Waste Infrastructure Capital Grant secured from Hertfordshire County Council.

Objectives delivered 1.Reduce waste and increase recycling. 2.Improve services for residents. 3.Remove cardboard from the green waste stream (contamination issue). 4.Assist with the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy (future savings requirements).

Other projects delivered The following projects were also delivered during 2015/16: Review of Neighbourhood Recycling Centres Review of network of litter and dog waste bins

Recycling Points Reduction of sites from 23 to 12. Improved retained sites: –Replacement of banks and increased capacity –Improved signage –Merged materials to match the kerbside offer Enhanced emptying and cleansing schedules.

Litter and dog waste project Adoption of a litter and dog waste bin policy to enable a consistent and evidence based approach to the installation and removal of bins. Publicity to encourage residents to dispose of dog waste in litter bins. Reduction of the number of litter and dog waste bins from 1,000 to circa 750.

Future direction of travel.... Flats recycling project. Periodically review the business case for commingled recycling collections. Consider separate weekly food waste collections. Explore green waste charging.

Next steps Work with member led Task and Finish Group. Financial modelling and business case. Present proposal to Cabinet for decision in September 2016.

Thank you for listening….