Agenda item

With the UK Government progressing major waste legislation and policy reforms, the Waste Strategy for BCP Council 2026-36 has been drafted setting out clear ambitions and commitments, with consideration to the key drivers for change, to provide a pathway for enhancing our waste and recycling services over the coming decade.

This strategy will direct the retender of a major waste disposal contract in 2027 and sets out ambitions and supporting actions for progressing towards achievement of our waste and carbon targets by 2035.

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 'A' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Committee were informed that with the UK Government progressing major waste legislation and policy reforms, the Waste Strategy for BCP Council 2026-36 had been drafted setting out clear ambitions and commitments, with consideration to the key drivers for change, to provide a pathway for enhancing our waste and recycling services over the coming decade.

Further to this the Committee were advised that the strategy will direct the retender of a major waste disposal contract in 2027 and sets out ambitions and supporting actions for progressing towards achievement of our waste and carbon targets by 2035.

In addition, the Committee were reminded of the all-member briefing which was held in May and the informal cross party working group which had been formed following the briefing to consider the required legislative impacts, developed ambitions and public consultation results.

The Committee comprehensively discussed the strategy and in particular raised the following areas of discussion: -

·      Contamination of recycling bin waste.

• Batteries and in particular risks associated with batteries being included with waste and fires which had occurred as a result both in the refuse vehicles and at depots. The Committee felt that the messaging needed to be clear with regards to the disposal of batteries and concern was expressed with regards to those less able being able to dispose of batteries appropriately. In relation to this Officers advised that there were local drop off points for batteries at corner shops and supermarkets. The Committee felt that it was important to encourage more locations to accept and collect batteries for disposal.
• The role out of food bins across the Council, and contamination with food and potential issues with rats particularly in respect of flats. Officers advised in relation to this the flats would have a communal bin for food waste with each flat having a food caddy. Officers further advised that there are existing problems with contamination with shared bins, and that it was hoped that this could be overcome by education and engagement with residents. It was highlighted that food waste was a weekly collection which was hoped would reduce the likelihood.
• Communal street bins shared across multiple properties. Officers advised that food waste bins hadn’t been rolled out to such properties unless someone had indicated that they would take ownership. In relation to this a member queried whether they could have individual smaller bins and officers advised that any bins would need to not cause any obstruction and not be on the highway.
• Circular economy whereby members questioned whether there was a larger strategy around this, clarity around the costings and investment was also sought. Officers advised in relation to this that there was a commitment to the circular economy with a potential to hold repair workshops. In addition, officers further advised that the council was looking at ways in which it could support the reuse café, and that the issue was finding people with the skills who were available and whilst the council could be a conduit the reliance was on people wanting to contribute. Members also raised the importance of lobbying government to help achieve a circular economy and increase requirements on businesses.

The Chair proposed that whilst supporting Option 1, the recommendation to remove current separate kerbside battery collections that an additional point be included to read:

(ii)   and to develop a convenient battery recycling scheme with local businesses to create more easily accessible drop off points

this recommendation was seconded by Councillor Matthew Gillet and supported unanimously by the Committee.

Councillor Felicity Rice proposed amendments to section 5 of Appendix 1 to include the following: -

• Paragraph 5.1 of Appendix 1 to add the following ‘and incineration’ to the end of the paragraph so that it reads ‘Tendering waste disposal contracts that embed the waste hierarchy and minimise the use of landfill and incineration’ this proposal was seconded by Councillor Chris Rigby.
• Paragraph 5.3 of Appendix 1 to add the following ‘whilst also considering the carbon footprint of the type of disposal’ to the end of the paragraph so that it reads ‘Prioritising waste site proximity where possible, so waste travels only as far as it needs to and reduces the significant carbon impact of transporting waste whilst also considering the carbon footprint of the type of disposal’ this proposal was seconded by Councillor Chris Rigby.
• An additional point be included at 5.7 to read ‘when considering the circular economy, we will work with our local MPs and government to influence the manufacturing industry to ensure products are made so that recycling is designed in at the manufacturing stage so that it does not require disposal’ this proposal was not seconded and therefore fell.

The Committee discussed the proposed amendments raised by Councillor Rice, following which they were put to the vote with the additions at paragraphs 5.1 and 5.3 being unanimously agreed.

In respect of the proposed additional paragraph 5.7 which had not been taken to the vote the Chair advised that he would work with Councillor Rice to request that the Leader of the Council write to the government in regard to the circular economy.

RESOLVED that the committee supported the recommendations as set out in the report to Cabinet including Option 1 regarding the removal of current separate kerbside battery collections but requested an additional point be included in respect of this option to read: -

(ii)      and to develop a convenient battery recycling scheme with local businesses to create more easily accessible drop off points

and in addition, requested the strategy at appendix 1 be amended to include the following: -

(a)          Paragraph 5.1 of Appendix 1 ‘A Waste Strategy for BCP Council 2026-2028’ be amended to include ‘and incineration’ so that the paragraph reads ‘5.1 Tendering waste disposal contracts that embed the waste hierarchy and minimise the use of landfill and incineration’; and

(b)          Paragraph 5.3 of Appendix 1 ‘A Waste Strategy for BCP Council 2026-2028’ be amended to include ‘whilst also considering the carbon footprint of the type of disposal’ so that the paragraph reads ‘5.3 Prioritising waste site proximity where possible, so waste travels only as far as it needs to and reduces the significant carbon impact of transporting waste whilst also considering the carbon footprint of the type of disposal’.

Voting: Unanimous

Councillor Felicity Rice joined the meeting at 6.23pm during the debate on this item.