The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “J”) provides Members an overview of the approach and plans to manage the use and impact of single-use plastics, problem plastics and plastic waste by the Council and others for the District. A substantial part of the report updates members on key Government related policy and regulatory reform. This forms part of an overall approach to sustainability and clean growth set out in the Council Plan 2021-2025. It reflects on the Scrutiny Review 2018 report and recommendations.

Recommended –

That Members of Regeneration and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee note the report.

(Susan Spink – 01274 434779)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “J”) was submitted to the Committee to provide an overview to Members on the strategy and plan to manage the use and impact of single-use plastics, problem plastics and plastic waste by the Council and others in the District.  The report provided updates on key Government related policy and regulatory reform and reflected the recommendations from the Scrutiny review in 2018.

Since the report was written some key legislation was finalised in Parliament and Officers provided an update on the significant developments arising from the Environment Act which passed into law on 10 November 2021.  Legislative changes had implications for materials in addition to single use plastics and it was noted that there was now a dramatic change with some major companies taking back and managing plastic materials and taking a commercial approach to the issue.

The impact on the Council’s progress as a result of Covid 19 affected its response as well as the significant increased use of PPE and the changes in household and retail use of products,  waste and recycling.  This was brought to the attention of Members in the context of the report.

The report also contained appendices with details of key matters for Members to be aware of.  The Local Government Association (LGA) had been calling for waste prevention to be given equal priority with strategies to increase recycling and continued to lobby central Government.

The report aimed to provide a position of where the Council was in terms of the Scrutiny review and with Government legislation, looking at new activity and development work which would be embedded in the Council’s plan.

Following the Officers presentation and overview, Members were then given the opportunity to ask questions or comment.  The details of these are as below:

·         The quantities stated in 7.2 (Greenhouse Gas emissions Impacts) were queried – was it billions or millions?   The CO₂ generated was low in comparison to airports for example.  Officers advised that they were focussing on sustainability and there was no single solution.

There was a brief discussion regarding the lack of drinking fountains and where and how drinking water could be obtained by the general public when in the city centre.  There was a scheme whereby drinking bottles can be filled in shops so water was available without any health and safety implications and additional waste being generated.

A new plant in Keighley was discussed as one innovation and how collaborations would be key to find the numerous solutions needed to a complex issue.  The issue of exporting a large amount of plastic waste from the UK to other countries was also raised and Members were advised that there would be more legislation in 2022 which would put a constraint on the export of certain types of plastic.  The emphasis needed to be on minimum waste, maximum re-use and to address contamination which was an ongoing issue.  It was expected that there would be further limits placed on licences to export. 

A comment was made around re-education and how to address the throw away culture which was a conversation already taking place to reduce waste as well as recycling.  It was noted that the Community Champions were doing a fantastic job in schools and local businesses and Members were advised that if there was no local representative in their area then they could help to set one up.

A Member asked how much of our plastic was ending up on a ship bound for a third world country and where was it ending up.  Officers advised that it depended on what plastics were being referred to.  There was a local contract in place with Martins in Leeds who ‘flake’ plastics and sell it on in the EU and UK.  There was a potential market for re-use but management of quality and contamination was a factor as high contaminants required water to clean material before being processed.  The market for high quality chipped plastic was expanding and needed monitoring but in the context of what could be managed at kerbside collection.

A Member asked about getting more information and background on how we were influencing the district to make improvements in a ‘young’ city.  Officers advised that younger people already knew a lot and that recycling advisors were out daily to engage with residents.  The possibility of processing waste food into bio-energy was being investigated as a potential capital programme but needed a considerable volume for it to be viable.  Some help was available from central government and funding could be applied for.  The viability of the bio-energy market needed to be researched further and would likely require working collaboratively or in partnership for it to be worthwhile.  There also needed to be a balance when contracts were issued to the private sector for plastics processing to ensure that we could keep up with innovations and not be limited by contract length.

Members and Officers discussed the various end products using recycled materials both locally and nationally which would need further research.  During the previous scrutiny review a company was discovered who used recycled materials to produce the same thing over and over again.  

A Member asked about the trade waste recycling scheme and how it was being advertised.  Officers stated that there would be a briefing note to provide information on how more customers were being approached.

A Member also asked about waste segregation from city centre bins and was advised that it went through a separation process also.

Members and Officers who took part in the previous scrutiny review were thanked and were asked to have regard to the 14 recommendations in the report.

Resolved:-

That a further report that includes consideration of the points raised at the meeting be presented in 12 months.

Action: Strategic Director, Place