Decision details

Andrew Pau (Waste Management and Partnerships Group Manager, Warwickshire County Council) presented the performance data report which is a standing item.

Andrew Pau referred to the pronounced reduction in composting rates visible in the provisional performance data. He advised that this had been anticipated and that the introduction of charges for green bin collection by Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council was a contributing factor. He added that the 2019/20 data cited in the report was estimated, based upon information collected within the first quarter and data from 2018/19 for quarters 2-4, which could provide a misleading impression.

Councillor Kondakor observed that the first quarter included bank holidays and Easter which could have influenced performance.

In response to Councillor Fradgley, Andrew Pau stated that it was not possible to account for all uncollected green waste. He advised that a small proportion had been deposited at recycling centres and that it was acknowledged that green bin collection charges led to a reduction in the amounts of material collected.

In response to Councillor Shenton, Andrew Pau advised that no increase in instances of fly-tipping in the Borough of Nuneaton and Bedworth had been reported following the introduction of the charges. This was confirmed by Glen McGrandle (Head of Waste and Transport, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council).

It was observed that Rugby Borough Council operated a green waste collection charge. Dan Green (Head of Environment and Public Realm, Rugby Borough Council) commented that the amount of green waste in residual waste was only marginally higher than average levels.

It was observed that the promotion of home composting was a positive initiative. Councillor Kondakor remarked that home composting was a sensible option as it negated the necessity of collection and the associated transport costs.

Councillor Kondakor suggested that collection authorities could consider offering a subscription to green waste collection on an occasional basis as a solution to disenfranchisement for households that did not require the service throughout the entire year.

Andrew Pau stated that green waste constituted approximately 30% of countywide waste collectively. As Warwickshire was a large authority, he speculated that the impact of the reduction in composting rates indicated by the first quarter provisional data was likely to constitute a 1 to 1.5 percentage point impact on recycling rates overall.

Resolved

That the Waste Partnership note the provisional data for the year 2019-20.