Agenda item

The Director for Property, Assets and Infrastructure introduced the Waste Improvement Project and Flats Recycling item. A presentation was delivered by the Waste Strategic Client Manager and the Neighbourhood Enforcement and Street Scene Manager. Key points included:

·       A Waste Improvement Project had been trialled in a number of areas across Bristol with a focus on improving how commercial waste was stored. This involved ensuring that businesses stored bins on their own premises or work with waste contractors to find alternatives. The process involved engagement and communication with business owners over a lengthy period, progressing up to Section 47 notices, bin seizures and Fixed Penalty Notices, where required.

·       The initial pilot was carried out in Old City for Phase 1 and expanded to City Centre and Redcliffe and Temple BID areas for Phase 2. Phase 3 was launched in December 2022 around Stapleton Road. Phase 4 was to consider other options for areas, but a different approach would be needed for a city wide roll out.

·       The project had been successful with 450 commercial bins removed from streets over the first two phases. Challenges included the resource intensive nature of the work.

·       For domestic waste, challenges were particularly found in properties with no space to store bins off the pavement between collections. This applied to around 8000 properties, including flats above shops and converted properties. To address this a pilot on non-standard collections was launched and a flats recycling project initiated.

·       The pilot for non-standard collections was launched in Old City in February 2023 and involved new bags provided to residents, including seagull proof sacks. 180 properties were moved to the new service. Funding options to expand the service were being explored.

·       The Flats Recycling project was begun in April 2021 involving an updated recycling service. Positive feedback had been received.

Members were invited to ask questions.

Both the Waste and Enforcement teams were thanked for their hard work.

A Member asked for clarification around the commercial waste bins that had been seized. It was confirmed that these were subject to a daily charge to the waste contractor, not the business. Improvements were labour intensive as some businesses were in receipt of an inappropriate waste solution. Work had taken place with commercial properties and Officers were keen to engage further with contractors.

It was noted that a company has a duty of care to have a waste removal contract if they generate sufficient waste, and fines could be made where this was breached. It was clarified that Bristol City Council does not have powers for the zoning of operators.

In instances where businesses had no storage areas they were encouraged to work with contractors to find a suitable regime. This could involve more frequent collections and bag collections. In some instances businesses had collaborated to share space, with some innovative practice seen in this area. It was noted that data collection was poor as the service was unregulated, so it was unknown whether recycling rates had been affected.

A Member queried how it was known whether licensed contractors were recycling correctly. It was clarified that the monitoring role was fulfilled by The Environment Agency, however commercial contractors were not required to report on this. Domestic recycling reports were made quarterly.

A Member had recently visited a recycling centre in another locality with impressive sorting abilities, and asked whether Bristol had similar equipment available. Officers stated that the amount of investment in waste had been significant and pointed to the Avonmouth Recycling Centre. As a city, Bristol was relatively self sufficient in terms of recycling.

Members queried what legislation would support waste improvement. An Environment Bill was anticipated to contain requirements for all businesses to recycle, which was welcomed.

Next steps of the work would involve communication with contractors. It was hoped that future work could progress more quickly.

It was queried whether most businesses became compliant at an early stage or if enforcement was usually necessary. It was found that some of the compliance proceeded very quickly at first but became more difficult as it progressed.

A Member raised the issue of HMOs which were not designed for multiple bins. Officers stated that guidance had been developed on how residents could manage waste. Further enforcement options had also been undertaken where needed. The necessity of working across departments, including licensing, was noted. For domestic waste enforcement would be directed at tenants so work at the licensing and renewal stages would be vital. Student housing required specific approaches, and Officers had developed good working relationships with the University and student community liaison.

Fly tipping was discussed. The enforcement team had led on reducing fly tipping associated with commercial waste, and invited Members to inform the team about areas where action has not been seen.

Members reiterated their thanks to the Officers for their work and satisfaction with the project. They noted that waste collection was an issue which Councillors were frequently contacted about, and the work undertaken with these projects were impressive ‘good news’ stories. Members encouraged consideration of public communications around this work to encourage involvement and behavioural change. This was noted.

RESOLVED; That Officers note the comments of the Communities Scrutiny Commission for consideration.