Agenda item

Food Waste Collection Service Trial

This report sets out proposals to work in partnership with West Sussex County Council to deliver a twelve-month Food Waste and Absorbent Hygiene Products (AHP) collection service trial across approximately 1,150 properties in Arun.

Decision:

The Cabinet

 

            RESOLVED – That

 

(1)  Approval be given to proceed with a Food Waste and AHP Collections trial using a 123 service as outlined in the report for a period of twelve months, commencing in March 2021;

 

(2)  It be noted and support be given to the governance arrangements which are designed to allow the respective project teams to take all necessary decisions to successfully deliver the trial within the framework outlined in the report; and

 

(3)  Approval be given to the necessary drawing down of funding from West Sussex County Council and expenditure associated with Arun’s delivery of the trial as outlined in the report.

Minutes:

            In the absence of the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services, the Chairman introduced this item stating that this Council had made a firm commitment to tackling climate change and therefore it was wholly appropriate for Cabinet to consider a report proposing a trial food waste and absorbent hygiene products collection service. Councillor Dr Walsh stated that everyone had a role to play in reducing their waste as far as possible by recycling as much as possible of what was left. It was fact that significant volumes of food were currently wasted in Arun and so this trial had been designed to test assumptions; to gauge the views of a sample of residents; and to provide valuable data which the Council could consider and use to inform future decision making.

 

Councillor Dr Walsh confirmed that he firmly believed that many residents would  fully support the proposal for a trial as there was a growing number of environmentally conscientious residents who wanted to have the opportunity to do the right thing when it came to waste reduction and recycling. If ultimately, we can reduce the amount of food wasted and recycle as much of what is left as possible, then this would be a positive development for all concerned. This trial was a positive first step in exploring this possibility.

 

            The Group Head of Neighbourhood Services and the Environment Services and Strategy Manager then provided further details on all aspects of the proposed trial.  The key points have been summarised below:

 

·         The Government was expected to mandate the separate collection of food waste as early as 2023

·         The trial would address the fact that Arun’s food waste equated to 46% of the content of total waste. 

·         From a 2018 modelling exercise, this collection system was the optimal collection model in terms of maximising recycling rates.

·         If approved, all residents would be provided with a 240-litre residual bin as well as internal and external food waste caddies

·         Looking at operational delivery, the report set out how the trial would look and work on the ground.  Collections would be made by the Council’s existing cleansing contractor, Biffa.

·         AHP collections would be undertaken by Medisort, the Council’s existing clinical waste collection contractor.

·         Throughout the trial Ward Members and the Cabinet Member including the Environment & Leisure Working Group and the appropriate new Committee will be kept fully appraised of the trial including details such as resident satisfaction and other data.

·         The project timetable identified a proposed start date of March 2021

·         Looking at outcomes and targets, customer satisfaction would be evaluated

·         The trial would be funded by WSCC as the disposal authority who would set aside a performance improvement fund for Districts and Boroughs within the West Sussex Waste Partnership to bid for in respect of projects that would deliver improvements in recycling performance.

·         The importance of compiling a well-considered communications plan was key to ensure resident engagement and understanding.

 

In discussing the proposed trial, Cabinet fully supported this scheme and as this was fully funded by WSCC and as the Government had an expectation for all Local authorities to meet a 50% recycling rate.  It was also recognised that the collection of Food Waste could also likely become a mandatory requirement, although it was more likely that the Government would provide additional resources through “New Burdens Funding”. Questions were asked about where in the District this trial would take place and as some Councillors had received representation from some of the conservation areas that might not be appropriate for such a trial. The process that would be followed once the trial area had been confirmed was explained in that there would be a period of engagement and communication with residents in the trial area.  It was felt that this was an initiative that many people had been waiting for and it provided the Council with the opportunity to fully test a trial before such a scheme was enforced.  This trial would be fully funded by WSCC and would address the 42% of food waste that was currently in the Council’s residual waste. 

 

A variety of questions were asked by non-Cabinet Councillors. These related to the location of the food trial and what areas should be targeted or avoided. It was outlined that it was important for the trial area chosen to have a mix of tenures to thoroughly test the scheme. Questions were asked over the cost of vehicles and whether these could be electric, or hydrogen fuelled and whether the Council had any control over the cost of bins, caddies and liners.

 

In response, although no assurance could be provided on the type of vehicle to be used, reassurance could be provided that the Council was actively exploring these types of options with Biffa, its current Contractor, and would seek to keep all costs for the project fown to a minimum through procurement and negotiation.

 

 

            The Cabinet

 

                        RESOLVED – That

 

(1)  Approval be given to proceed with a Food Waste and Absorbent Hygiene Products (AHP) collections trial using a ‘123’ service at outlined in the report for a period of twelve months, commencing in March 2021;

 

(2)  It be noted and support given to the governance arrangements which are designed to allow the respective project teams to take all necessary decisions to successfully delver the trial within the framework outlined in the report; and

 

(3)  The necessary drawing down of funding from West Sussex County Council (WSCC) and expenditure associated with Arun’s delivery of the trial as outlined in the report, be approved.

 

The Cabinet confirmed its decision as per Decision Notice C/030/16112020, a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of the Minutes.

 

Supporting documents: