Agenda item

This report provides information on communal recycling facilities called Mini Recycling Centres (MRC’s) provided for people living in flats or similar accommodation.

The Waste Strategy & Contracts Manager introduced this item to the Panel. She explained that the Council does not have a statutory duty to provide mini-recycling centres, but does now have a legal duty to collect paper, metal, plastic and glass by way of separate collection where it is “technically, environmentally and economically practicable”. She added that the mini-recycling centre service meets our statutory obligations.

She informed the Panel that communal recycling facilities called Mini Recycling Centres (MRC’s) are provided for people living in flats or similar accommodation as an alternative to the recycling green box service which is not appropriate for this type of accommodation.

She added that MRC’s are provided as part of our kerbside recycling service which is carried out by a contractor, Kier. She said that MRC’s have been provided for over 10 years and there are now 164 sites across the district, with each site usually made up of 6 x 240litre wheeled bins collecting paper, mixed plastic & cans and mixed glass.  In December 2010 card collections were also provided to all of the sites.

She stated that the contract with our recycling services provider (Kier) has provision for the installation of up to 10 new MRC sites each year, with an annual contract payment made for each site. Additional sites above 10 can be negotiated if specifically required. Residents and management companies (including CURO) can request a new MRC site; this request is usually made via Council Connect.  Initial contact is then followed up by a site visit to agree a suitable location and once appropriate permissions have been given, it is added to the installation schedule.

She said that when the bins are installed, officers from the waste campaigns team carry out door knocking visits to make residents aware of the new facilities and deliver leaflets to all residents. When an MRC is installed, Kier will monitor the usage of the site.

The Chair asked if there was a waiting list for sites.

The Waste Strategy & Contracts Manager replied that there was not one at the moment.

Councillor Liz Richardson asked if any thoughts had been given to Councillor Webber’s particular issue of a site / sites within central Bath.

The Waste Strategy & Contracts Manager replied that fly tipping was a historical problem in some central areas and that previous supermarket collection sites were no longer in place. She added that work had been carried out in New King Street to address the times that residents were putting out there rubbish / recycling.

Councillor Douglas Nicol suggested that an MRC could be put in place opposite the Julian House office in New King Street.

Councillor Lisa Brett commented that the timing of recycling being put out for collection is a real issue and posed whether enforcement was necessary.

Councillor Liz Richardson said that if a central site / sites were introduced then it should be monitored by cameras and enforcement action taken if it was abused.

Councillor Douglas Nicol asked what the largest possible fine could be.

The Waste Strategy & Contracts Manager replied that it was £5,000.

The Chair on behalf of the Panel thanked her for her report and asked for consideration to be given to implementing a central site / sites.