Issue - meetings

The Managing Director of the Somerset Waste Partnership provided Members with a short presentation on the work of the Partnership.  He advised that the business plan was in a similar format to previous years and there were some minor changed to the Inter-Authority Agreement as the Partnership started a new collection contract with SUEZ.  He advised that as the refuse collection moved to 3 weekly collections, so the recycling would change to accept more plastic.  He noted that SUEZ were the market leader in the type of recycling collected in Somerset.  He also spoke of:-

·         Over 90% of the recycling collected was processed and re-used in the UK

·         Garden waste collection days would change to become more efficient so less collection vehicles were needed.

·         A new fleet of collection vehicles with in-cab technology would help with any missed collections.

·         The majority of South Somerset would change to the new recycling system in September 2020 and the rest in June 2021.

·         The ‘Slim my waste, feed my face’ campaign was aimed to reduce food waste going into the residual waste and encourage more recycling in a fun way.

·         The Partnership would work with the SSDC Communications team to publicise the new recycling and collections.

In response to questions from Members, the Managing Director of the Somerset Waste Partnership advised:-

·         They had received a grant to investigate commercial waste recycling.

·         18 Local Authorities across the country had already moved to 3 weekly waste collections.

·         There would be support for alternative disposable nappies, additional collections or additional bins provided in exceptional circumstances.

·         The costs being shared by partners in accordance with household numbers, referred to in the report was for the transfer of staff to SUEZ and the pension scheme contributions.

·         Electric waste collection vehicles currently did not exist but they would be looked at when available.

·         The waste incinerator at Avonmouth should be operating by the end of the month. 

·         There were no plans to stop the composting of garden waste at Dimmer.

·         The Partnership would be refreshing its developer guidance on design requirements for residential properties.

·         The waste collection vehicles were expected to last 10 years and a partial re-fleet was due in 2024/25 so alternative fuelled vehicles could be investigated.

·         Publicity of the new recycling would be through online information, attendance at community events, roadshows, social media, working with partners, briefings to elected members, targeted Schools against Waste programme and, instructional videos.

At the conclusion of the debate, the Chairman thanked the Managing Director for attending and answering Members questions.  Members unanimously agreed the recommendations of the report.