Agenda item

Andrew Pau (Head of Waste Management) highlighted the following points of the presentation.

1.     Provisional performance 2023/24 on household waste.

·       The date referred to in the paper was looking at figures for 2023/2024, last financial year however no provisional data had been provided.

·       Reuse and recycling rate was slightly up displaying good, steady performance.

·       Composting rate was significantly up, with an explanation on how the weather affected the composting rate year on year.

·       Combined Recycling, Composting and reuse rate had increased significantly, mostly due to the composting rates.

Landfill and energy recovery:

·       Residual waste was being separated out to try and maximise energy recovery by burning waste rather than sending it to landfill.

·       Landfill rates had reduced significantly while energy recovery rates were steady.

·       Total household waste had increased but this was expected due to green waste being included in this total.

2.     Estimated Performance for year 2023/24 for household waste.

Andrew Pau gave a brief overview of the table and the three years of data it includes which gives a more detailed overview of performance.

·       The recycling rate per Borough and District had remained steady. It was mentioned that Nuneaton and Bedworth totals had slightly reduced.

Alastair Blunkett (Assistant Director for Environment and Enforcement, NBBC) advised that that the figures on the table did not accurately reflect the data from the Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, and there is a disparity there. Alastair will check the details and report back to the meeting.

It was explained that the figures come from the borough and district partners as well as information from the Local Authority Collected Waste Annual Results from DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs).

In reply to a question about the 2023/24 estimated data for quarter four, Andrew Pau advised that the estimated performance spreadsheet contained significant amounts of provisional data. When asked when the data will be confirmed, it was advised that figures are usually confirmed on a six-month cycle, and it was expected that these figures would be released around December 2024/January 2025.

In response to Councillor Sinclair, Andrew Pau replied that the composting rate now included food waste from kerbside collections which it hadn’t done in previous years.

There was a general discussion about the percentage of food waste disposed of in residual waste and how this data was reflected. Also, how to encourage members of the public to use the food waste collection caddy.

Andrew Pau continued, stating.

·       Recycling, Composting, and Reuse rate showed that a total of 53.2% of household waste was recycled, despite the increase in numbers of households and the increase in overall tonnage. There was a comparison to cost of living and the decrease in household waste.

3.     HWRC Performance 2023/24

·       Each of the Recycling Centres showed either a steady level or an improvement in the total figures. The lowest performing was Stockton; however, it is the smallest centre and open two days per week. Judkins had a marked increase this could be due to a trail they were running splitting open black bags.

In response to Alastair Blunkett, it was advised that Judkins was the only centre run by a private contractor and they decided to run the trial as they can offer incentives to do so.

In response to the Chair, Andrew Pau advised that the total landfill was about 7% of total household waste and compared to other county authorities, WCC is performing well. However, when compared with some authorities performing at 3%, there was still some improvements to be done.

There was a general discussion about the total kilograms of household waste and why it was different in each borough or district. A comparison rate of total waste per person may be more beneficial.

RESOLVED: The Partnership noted the provisional data for the year 2023/24.