Agenda item

The Sub Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which sought agreement of a policy and procedure for dealing with collections of mixed recycling when contamination is evident and to clarify how these are identified as contaminated.

The report recommended:

(a)       that the Sub Committee approves the proposed Mixed Recycling Contamination Policy as outlined in Appendix 1 to the report; and

(b)       that the Sub Committee instructs officers to report back to the appropriate committee in November 2017 with a review of the implementation of the policy and recommendations relating to any changes to the policy.

Ms Walker, Waste Strategy Manager, spoke to the report and advised that the current collection procedure did not need a policy, however the introduction of mixed recycling which was due to rollout on in March 2017 would need a policy in place which would reflect the aims of Section 2 of the Scottish Government’s Code of Practice for household recycling in Scotland as part of the Charter for Household Recycling in Scotland.

Reference was made to section 7 of the report (Communication) and members suggested that aerosols should be added to the list of accepted items.  It was also suggested that the diary dates for collections to residents be communicated electronically and that all elected members be circulated the information via email for their information.

The proposed policy contained in Appendix A was referred to and it was suggested that an ‘easing in’ period be allowed during the initial phases of rollout.  Mr Lawrence confirmed that there would be a transitional period where residents would be advised and educated on the policy where needed and that this transition period would also be used to further advise and train collection crews.

Mr Lawrence advised that details of bin collections were circulated to council tenants by the housing team on occupation and HMO landlords were also issued with details, however there was no way of knowing whether this information was passed on to tenants.  Communication with housing associations and the student accommodation managers was being undertaken to target areas of low uptake.

Councillor Corall sought advice on how to deal with residents who refuse to recycle or use the correct bins.  Mr Lawrence explained that fixed penalties for fly tipping could be issued, however in a large block of flats it could be difficult to correctly identify the resident involved.  Such penalty notices were pursued by the Procurator Fiscal however the priority for pursuing such fines tended to be low.  Mr Lawrence suggested that education and engagement with such residents would prove more beneficial.

Clarification was sought as to whether the report and appendix formed a new policy which would need to go to the appropriate committee for approval.  However it was noted that as this was a procedure, it would not require referral to the Finance, Policy and Resources Committee.

The Sub Committee resolved:

(i)         to request that officers issue communication to residents in regards to dates for 2017 and to send the necessary information to elected members for information;

(ii)        to note the information provided and;

(iii)       to otherwise approve the recommendations contained in the report.