Issue - items at meetings - Permission to Consult on Communal Recycling Trial

Report of the Strategic Director, Place (copy attached).

2.1       That the Cabinet Member for Environment & Sustainability endorses proposals to consult with residents in the identified streets on the introduction of communal recycling.

40.1               Councillor West considered a report of the Strategic Director, Place seeking permission to consult with residents in the area on introducing a communal recycling trial an area of Brunswick and Adelaide Ward.

40.2               Councillor West explained that residents in city centre locations had considerable problems with the usability of the current approach to recycling and that it had a negative impact on recycling rates. To address this, the council’s waste strategy set out a commitment to trial community recycling and Brunswick and Adelaide ward was put forward for a trial through the Community Waste Forum.

40.3               Councillor Morgan welcomed the proposal for a pilot and requested more information about the types of bins, the impact on staffing and possible loss of parking places. He queried how the council would prevent cross-contamination.

40.4               Councillor West stated that cross-contamination was a concern and that educating residents was essential to the success of community recycling.

40.5               In response to questions from the Opposition Spokespeople, the Head of City Infrastructure made the following comments:

§         The trial would last one year and the bins proposed for the trial would be the 1100 litre black bins used at recycling sites across the city.

§         Recycling rates would be measured before the trial and then during to see if there was an increase, and residents would be surveyed about ease of use.

§         Cross-contamination would also be monitored and levels evaluated against any increase in recycling rates due to improved ease of use. Cross-contamination was not a significant problem at other recycling sites in the city.

§         There would be no impact of staff.

§         The issue of lost parking spaces would be carefully considered in order to minimise impact on residents.

40.6               RESOLVED – That, having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the following recommendations were accepted:

(1)         That the Cabinet Member for Environment & Sustainability endorses proposals to consult with residents in the identified streets on the introduction of communal recycling.