Issue - meetings

Report of Assistant Director Environmental Services

Purpose of report

This report sets out the possible options and the proposed recommendation for the waste collection service, following new requirements driven by The Environment Act.

Recommendations

The Executive resolves:

1.1           To approve the completion of a TEEP (Technically, Environmentally & Economically Practical) assessment covering paper & cardboard (Appendix 1) until the implications of DRS on the kerbside recycling service is fully understood.

1.2           To support a review of the frequency of residual waste collection.

1.3           To approve that any changes in the waste collection service should involve consultation with our Waste & Environmental Services Project (WESP) partners.

Resolved

(1)            That the completion of a TEEP (Technically, Environmentally & Economically Practical) assessment covering paper & cardboard until the implications of DRS on the kerbside recycling service is fully understood be approved.

(2)            That a review of the frequency of residual waste collection be supported.

(3)            That it be approved that any changes in the waste collection service should involve consultation with our Waste & Environmental Services Project (WESP) partners.

The Assistant Director Environmental Services submitted a report which set out the possible options and the proposed recommendation for the waste collection service, following new requirements driven by The Environment Act.

Resolved

(1)            That the completion of a TEEP (Technically, Environmentally & Economically Practical) assessment covering paper & cardboard until the implications of DRS on the kerbside recycling service is fully understood be approved.

(2)            That a review of the frequency of residual waste collection be supported.

(3)            That it be approved that any changes in the waste collection service should involve consultation with our Waste & Environmental Services Project (WESP) partners.

Reasons

The decision to introduce glass recycling from the kerbside in January 2026 was  made by Executive in November 2025. To fully comply with Simpler Recycling by 31 March 2026 either paper & cardboard needs to be collected separately at the kerbside or a TEEP (Technically, Environmentally & Economically Practical) assessment carried out. It is recommended a TEEP  assessment is carried out and the decision to move to collect Paper & cardboard separately is delayed until the financial implications are fully understood when DRS operations become clear.

Plastic film needs to be introduced into kerbside collections before 31 March 2027. The decision on when to commence collections cannot be made until our processing recycling contractor indicates what plastic film is acceptable and what is unacceptable. This information is likely to be forthcoming before the summer of 2026. 

Alternative options

Option 1: Implement separate collection of paper & cardboard as soon as possible. This has been dismissed due to the uncertain financial impact – investing capital of £1.5 million plus and a great uncertainty about the impact on revenue costs

Option 2: Implement collection of plastic film as soon as possible. This has been rejected because our recycling processor, N&P, have yet to set out their specification regarding plastic film.