A waste and recycling pilot scheme had been undertaken in West Horndon entailing the use of wheeled bins for the containment of general waste and dry recyclables (co-mingled recyclables).  The pilot scheme had been in operation since 1 April 2016.

The Environment and Housing Management Committee on 9 December 2015 requested that a detailed report on the pilot scheme was brought back to the committee after six months. 

The pilot scheme was initiated to ascertain if there was opportunities to achieve efficiencies on a broader scale with the waste services.

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Hossack and SECONDED by Cllr Poppy to agree the recommendations in the report, subject to an additional recommendation by the Chair:

The Chair of Environment and Housing Management Committee write a letter of thanks to Parish Councillor Colin Foan and all his colleagues at West Horndon Parish Council, as well as the West Horndon residents who helped deliver the project.

A vote was taken by show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that:

1.    The committee acknowledged that there was no longer sufficient business justification to continue with the pilot scheme and that the committee agreed to the termination of the pilot scheme with the reintroduction of the kerbside collection in sacks for refuse and dry recycling (co-mingled). 

2.    The committee agreed to permitting individual households of West Horndon, who received the wheeled bins, to retain the residual waste bin for their personal use (note: all waste and recycling placed in sacks).  The 240 litre wheeled bin, for recycling, to be collected by Operational Services.

3.    The committee acknowledged that a wheeled bin scheme, as trialled, should not be rolled out throughout the borough. 

4.    The Chair of Environment and Housing Management Committee write a letter of thanks to Parish Councillor Colin Foan and all his colleagues at West Horndon Parish Council, as well as the West Horndon residents who helped deliver the project.

A scheduled plan for the completion of the pilot scheme including notifying residents by letters/information leaflets had been put in place.    

Reasons for recommendations

The increase in waste and recycling resulted in an improvement to the recycling rate of 2.0% for dry recyclables only, however an increase in the general waste of 5.6% was unacceptable and at odds with the requirement of waste prevention. 

The additional waste and recycling would translate to an additional 1,715 tonnes being collected Borough wide.  The impact would be an overall increase in waste and recycling collected of 6.0%, with the overall recycling rate to be improved by 0.2%. 

The consequences on collection times had been significant and indicated that at least five extra refuse collection vehicles, along with an additional fifteen operational staff would be required if consideration was given to extending the scheme Borough wide.  That would have a detrimental affect on financial planning, particularly when the capital expenditure for the wheeled bins was factored in.  

The required annual budget for vehicles and salaries would increase by c. £550,000 and the capital expenditure for the wheeled bins delivered to the remaining households in the borough would be c. £875,000.  Provision would also have to be made for other costs incurred, such as marketing, door stepping, additional care staff, additional supervisory staff and ongoing maintenance/replacement of bins.