Update on Kerbside Recycling Scheme

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AGENDA ITEM NO: 8

ENVIRONMENT AND REGENERATION SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

WEDNESDAY 28 JUNE 2006

REPORT FROM CHIEF ENVIRONMENT OFFICER

UPDATE ON KERBSIDE RECYCLING SCHEME

PURPOSE OF THE REPORT

To update Members on the progress of the ‘Recycle with Michael’ Scheme.

INFORMATION

1Wrexham County Borough Council’s latest reported recycling rate for 2005/06 is 18.5%.

This is a 3.5% increase from the 04/05 figure of 15%, as shown in the Welsh Local Authority recycling rate league table for 2004/05, in Appendix 1 below.

2 The Welsh Assembly’s statutory recycling target for 2006/07 is 25% whilst the target recycling rate for Wrexham has been set at a challenging 28%, comprising 16% dry recyclables and 12% composting. The reason for this is that by the end of 2006/07, 91% or 53,000 households will be provided with kerbside collections of recyclables and garden waste, compared to the current 56% of domestic properties.

3 In 2004/05, Wrexham was placed twentieth in the Welsh league of recycling, with a recycling rate of 15%. With the accelerated roll-out of the ‘Recycling with Michael’ Scheme now resourced, it is estimated that Wrexham County Borough Council will be moving up the Welsh recycling league table.

4 The planned roll-out of the ‘Recycle with Michael’ Scheme is provided for information in Appendix 3.

5 Since refuse rounds were last reviewed, over 2000 new homes have been built, with a further 2,700 expected to be constructed before 2010. This is having a significant impact on refuse rounds, many having difficulty completing the work, particularly when taking into account green waste collections during the summer and residual refuse being collected on alternate weeks. As a result, the Council is commissioning a private company to undertake a major round review, using computer modelling techniques.

6 The round review may lead to the conclusion that a new round is required to accommodate the new properties built in Wrexham and the revised collection methods adopted to ensure greater recycling and waste diversion.

7 One of the aims of the round review is the achievement of more balanced rounds, which will assist crews in the completion of their daily workload. An example of the re-balancing needed, is that since the closure of Dark Lane Landfill, Llay, a number of crews have consistently required assistance to complete their work.

8 Consultations are also underway with the workforce and the Union regarding the working practice of task and finish. The aim is to recognise group task finish, rather than crew task and finish, which means crews help each other to complete their rounds and all crews finish together.

9 As well as expanding kerbside recycling other recycling initiatives continue….the Household Waste Recycling Centres’ recycling rate now stands at 52% (including rubble) and our contractors continue work to improve this percentage.

10 There are now 32 Neighbourhood Recycling Centres (NRC) in addition to the larger Household Recycling Centres, with the latest one to be launched at Plas Madoc. A guidance note has been produced for groups or organisations that have identified potential new sites for NRC use and efforts continue, to expand both the number and range of Bring Sites. A list of NRC’s is provided in Appendix 2.

11 The hugely successful Bitesize Theatre recycling play last year was funded through the waste strategy grant. Unfortunately this year, there have not been the funds available to support the project, due to the further rolling-out of the kerbside recycling scheme but it is hoped that the opportunity may arise in the future for the project to be repeated.

12 The alternate week collections of green waste have been brought closer to Christmas to reduce the number of weeks that residual collections are done weekly and these now follow a similar collection pattern to Ellesmere Port, Vale Royal and Newport. It should, however, be noted that this smaller window of weekly refuse collections increases operational pressures due to the shear volume of rubbish generated at Christmas time and amplifies associated operating risks.

13 At the end of 2006/07, only two refuse rounds will be left without kerbside recycling these will be included when funding becomes available. More work remains to be done, to determine the most appropriate collection methods for these two genuinely rural and remote rounds, with recycling collections that will be valued by residents and affordable for the Council to provide.

RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended that Members note the contents of this report.

BACKGROUND PAPERS

Briefing Notes 1 and 2 held in Waste Services files.

WEBSITE INFORMATION

None.

Report Ref: CEnO/12/06S

APPENDIX 1 Welsh Local Authority Recycling Table for 2004/05

APPENDIX 2 List of Neighbourhood Recycling Centres

1. Border Retail Park; Tesco’s, Wrexham
2. Bangor-on-Dee; Buck House Hotel,
3. Brynteg; Quarry Road
4. Cefn Mawr; Ty Mawr Country Park
5. Coedpoeth; Coedpoeth Community Centre,
6. Chirk; British Legion Car Park,
7. Goulbourne; Goulbourne Pub,
8. Gresford; Plough Pub,
9. Gwersyllt; Somerfield Car Park
10. Holt; Holt Community Centre, Frog Lane,
11. Holt Road, Asda’s Car Park, Wrexham
12. Johnstown; Kwiksave
13. Kings Mill; Kings Mill Pub
14. Llanarmon DC; Community Centre Car Park,
15. Pontfadog; Pentre Church in Wales School
16. Moss Valley; Moss Valley Golf Club,
17. Overton; Church Road Car Park
18. Penley; Madras School

List of Neighbourhood Recycling Centres (Continued)

1. Pentre Gwyn Community Centre, Wrexham
2. Penycae; Black Horse,
3. Plas Coch; Sainsbury’s Car Park
4. Prices Lane Community Centre, Wrexham
5. Queensway Recycling Centre, Queensway
6. Rhosddu; Salvation Army Centre, Garden Road,
7. Rhosllanerchrugog; Bonc Wen Car Park,
8. Rhostyllen; Black Horse Pub, Henblas Road
9. Rossett; Golden Lion Pub
10. Rhosymedre; Kwiksave,
11. Rhosymedre; Plough Pub,
12. Salop Road; Green Dragon Pub, Wrexham
13. Victoria Road Car Park, Wrexham
14. Waterworld Car Park, Wrexham

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APPENDIX 3. The Roll-Out of ‘Recycle with Michael’ Kerbside Recycling

Key

Rounds already in: 1st – 5th rounds

Rounds included in the £1.3M:5th – 7th rounds

Rounds funded by Budget Headroom:8th and 9th rounds

Remaining uncosted two rural rounds:10th and 11th rounds