Agenda item

The Environment Act 2021 requires councils in England to offer every household (including flats) three waste containers for dry recycling, food waste and residual (non-recyclable) waste by 31 March 2026.

Non-municipal properties (i.e. businesses, schools, hospitals) will also be required to make arrangements for separate collections for dry recycling, food waste and residual waste by 31 March 2025.

The recommendations of this report will enable BCP Council to comply with its new legal obligation in the required timescales by: 

a.     enhancing our commercial waste offer to include food waste collections and accommodate extra demand for commercial recycling collections by 31 March 2025.

b.     arrange separate collections for recycling and food waste, where needed from BCP Council’s own buildings and commercial premises.

c.     implementing food waste collections for all households, including flats, from 31 March 2026.

d.     offering recycling collections to all properties, including all flats and town centre properties, by 31 March 2026.

e.     introducing plastic film (plastic bags, wrapping, pouches) for recycling in our kerbside recycling service by 31 March 2027.

RESOLVED that Cabinet approve: -

(a)        the introduction of a BCP-wide commercial food waste collection service, utilising current household collections rounds and vehicles from 31 March 2025;

(b)        the introduction of a fortnightly bagged recycling service, as set out in this report, to all households who cannot accommodate the standard recycling bin service; and

(c)        By 31 March 2027, plastic film (plastic bags, pouches, wrapping) will be recycled in our kerbside recycling service.

It is further recommended that Cabinet recommends to Council: -

(d)        the purchase of six food waste collection vehicles and required food waste containers and bins using £1.53M new burdens funding to support the introduction of food waste collections to Poole and all flats by 31 March 2026 as set out in this report.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder

Reasons

·            To comply with the council’s legal obligations under the Environment Act 2021 to offer every household (including flats) in England three waste containers for dry recycling, food waste and residual (non-recyclable) waste by 31 March 2026.

·            To assist local businesses in complying with their obligation under the Environment Act 2021 by 31 March 2025, and enhance the council’s commercial waste offer and potential income generation, whilst fulfilling BCP Council’s legal obligation to supply this service if requested.

·            To offer flexible, comprehensive and efficient waste collections that engage residents and commercial customers to effectively manage their waste.

·            To offer service parity by introducing food waste collections in Poole and to all flats.

The Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'F' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that The Environment Act 2021 required councils in England to offer every household (including flats) three waste containers for dry recycling, food waste and residual (non-recyclable) waste by 31 March 2026.

In relation to this Cabinet was informed that Non-municipal properties (i.e. businesses, schools, hospitals) will also be required to make arrangements for separate collections for dry recycling, food waste and residual waste by 31 March 2025.

Further to this Cabinet was advised that the recommendations contained within the report will enable BCP Council to comply with its new legal obligation in the required timescales by: 

a.    enhancing our commercial waste offer to include food waste collections and accommodate extra demand for commercial recycling collections by 31 March 2025.

b.    arrange separate collections for recycling and food waste, where needed from BCP Council’s own buildings and commercial premises.

c.     implementing food waste collections for all households, including flats, from 31 March 2026.

d.    offering recycling collections to all properties, including all flats and town centre properties, by 31 March 2026.

e.     introducing plastic film (plastic bags, wrapping, pouches) for recycling in our kerbside recycling service by 31 March 2027.

Cabinet members spoke in support of the item highlighting the importance of having a consistent approach across the whole of the BCP area.

RESOLVED that Cabinet approve: -

(a)        the introduction of a BCP-wide commercial food waste collection service, utilising current household collections rounds and vehicles from 31 March 2025;

(b)        the introduction of a fortnightly bagged recycling service, as set out in this report, to all households who cannot accommodate the standard recycling bin service; and

(c)         By 31 March 2027, plastic film (plastic bags, pouches, wrapping) will be recycled in our kerbside recycling service.

It is further recommended that Cabinet recommends to Council: -

(d)        the purchase of six food waste collection vehicles and required food waste containers and bins using £1.53M new burdens funding to support the introduction of food waste collections to Poole and all flats by 31 March 2026 as set out in this report.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder

Reasons

·            To comply with the council’s legal obligations under the Environment Act 2021 to offer every household (including flats) in England three waste containers for dry recycling, food waste and residual (non-recyclable) waste by 31 March 2026.

·            To assist local businesses in complying with their obligation under the Environment Act 2021 by 31 March 2025, and enhance the council’s commercial waste offer and potential income generation, whilst fulfilling BCP Council’s legal obligation to supply this service if requested.

·            To offer flexible, comprehensive and efficient waste collections that engage residents and commercial customers to effectively manage their waste.

·            To offer service parity by introducing food waste collections in Poole and to all flats.

Councillor Richard Burton declared an interest in this item as a Trustee of Win on Waste and remained present for the discussion and voting thereon.

Councillor Millie Earl declared an interest in this item as the recycling ambassador of Win on Waste and as a volunteer for the Branksome and Rossmore Community Fridges and remained present for the discussion and voting thereon.