Agenda item

To consider any petitions for which notice has been received, in accordance with Standing Order 66.

Members are asked to note that the following petition is due to be presented at the meeting:

·             Implementation and operation of the Blue Bag recycling scheme

Implementation and Operation of the Blue Bag Recycling Scheme for paper and cardboard

Cabinet NOTED the comments made by Sheila Darr (as a local resident) in support of a petition containing 3,422 signatures regarding the practical implementation and operational concerns relating to the recently introduced blue bag recycling scheme across the borough.  In addressing Cabinet, Sheila Darr began by calling for the scheme to be replaced as it was felt to represent an unworkable extension of the existing blue bin scheme.  In seeking to highlight the views of those who had signed the petition, Cabinet was advised of the concerns raised relating to the design and quality of the blue recycling bags, which were felt to be inefficient and as a result discourage residents from recycling.  Additionally, Cabinet was advised that many elderly residents had expressed concern regarding the potential consequences of putting unsuitable items in the blue bags and them not being collected as a result.

In discussing potential GDPR and data protection implications of paper and cardboard containing personal details such as names and addresses being misplaced due to the unsecure nature of the bags, Sheila Darr also raised concern regarding the protection of residents’ personal information and queried how documents containing sensitive information could be suitability disposed of. Furthermore, in emphasising the need for resident support to improve recycling rates, a request was made for the planned review of the scheme to be brought forward and undertaken immediately in order for resident feedback to be taken into account, recognising the level of concern expressed and enabling further research on schemes that had been successful in securing support from local residents across other boroughs.  As an example, the suggested use of split recycling bins with removable dividers or retention of the blue recycling bins for paper and card with the provision of smaller recycling bins for tin, plastic and glass were identified as possible alternative solutions.

To conclude, Sheila Darr felt it would be helpful to share examples of the type of comments being raised by other residents across the borough which had been posted on the Nextdoor App in relation to the blue bag scheme.  These included concerns regarding stolen bags, the space available in the bags, difficulties for disabled residents and recycling bags not being collected or left and a lack of assisted support for those residents with specific needs who required assistance.

In response, Councillor Muhammed Butt (responding as Leader of the Council on behalf of Councillor Krupa Sheth - Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure and Climate Action), firstly thanked Sheila Darr for attending Cabinet and all those residents who had signed the petition for taking the time to ensure their views were represented. In reiterating the Council’s commitment to tackling the climate emergency and work towards the achievement of net zero by 2030, Councillor Butt explained that the changes introduced as part of the blue bag scheme had been designed to increase recycling rates in order to bring the borough closer to its environmental and climate related goals.

Regarding the specific issues raised as part of the presentation of the petition, the Leader reassured residents that the concerns relating to the design and quality of the recycling bags were being addressed with the supplier and confirmed that replacement bags were also available for those reported as damaged along with additional bags for residents requiring increased recycling capacity.  In terms of contamination, the Leader advised that the concerns raised relating to the impact of adverse weather conditions on the paper and card being placed in the blue bags when left out for collection was also being monitored with the Council’s contractor so that any issues identified could be addressed.

To demonstrate the positive impact that the blue bag scheme was having on recycling rates, Councillor Butt advised that since introduction of the scheme in October 2023 there had been a 264% increase in the recycling rate of paper and cardboard, with this enabling the Council to also explore opportunities to generate additional income through recycling to mitigate against the recent budget cuts and continued financial pressures being faced by the Council.  Regarding the planned review of the scheme, the Leader advised that this had been scheduled to provide an opportunity to fully consider its impact utilising all available evidence in order to consider any changes that may be required as part of the transition process with it pointed out, in terms of research, that a number of other councils had or were also considering the introduction of similar types of recycling schemes in an attempt to increase their recycling rates.

In concluding Councillor Butt, in once again highlighting the Council’s climate and environmental commitments, emphasised the importance of waste and recycling as a priority and whilst welcoming the increased levels of recycling being achieved as a result of the scheme advised that he would be willing to continue discussions with local residents in relation to any ongoing concerns.

Eligible for Call-In: No

5.1     Implementation and Operation of Blue Bag Recycling Scheme

Councillor Muhammed Butt (Leader of the Council) welcomed Sheila Darr to the meeting, who had been invited to speak in support of a petition containing 3,422 signatures highlighting a number of practical and operational concerns regarding the recently introduced blue bag recycling scheme across the borough.  In addressing Cabinet, Sheila Darr began by calling for the scheme to be replaced as it was felt to represent an unworkable extension of the existing blue bin scheme.  In seeking to highlight the views of those who had signed the petition, Cabinet was advised of the concerns raised relating to the design and quality of the blue recycling bags, which were felt to be inefficient and as a result discourage residents from recycling.  Additionally, Cabinet was advised that many elderly residents had expressed concern regarding the potential consequences of putting non-recyclable material in the blue bags and them not being collected as a result.

In discussing potential GDPR and data protection implications of paper and cardboard containing details such as names and addresses being misplaced due to the unsecure nature of the bags, Sheila Darr also raised concern regarding the protection of residents’ personal information and queried how documents containing sensitive information could be suitability disposed of. Furthermore, in emphasising the need for resident support to improve recycling rates, a request was made for the planned review of the scheme to be brought forward and undertaken immediately in order for resident feedback to be taken into account, recognising the level of concern expressed and enabling further research on schemes that had been successful in securing support from local residents across other boroughs.  As an example, the suggested use of split recycling bins with removable dividers or retention of the blue recycling bins for paper and card with the provision of smaller recycling bins for tin, plastic and glass were identified as possible alternative solutions.

To conclude, Sheila Darr felt it would be helpful to share examples of the type of comments being raised by other residents across the borough which had been posted on the Nextdoor App in relation to the blue bag scheme.  These included concerns regarding stolen bags, the space available in the bags, difficulties for disabled residents and recycling bags not being collected or emptied properly and a lack of assisted support for those residents with specific needs who required assistance.

In response, Councillor Muhammed Butt (responding as Leader of the Council on behalf of Councillor Krupa Sheth, Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure and Climate Action) firstly thanked Sheila Darr for attending Cabinet and all those residents who had signed the petition for taking the time to ensure their views were represented. In reiterating the Council’s commitment to tackling the climate emergency and work towards the achievement of net zero by 2030, Councillor Butt explained that the changes introduced as part of the blue bag scheme had been designed to increase recycling rates to bring the borough closer to its environmental and climate related goals.

Regarding the specific issues raised as part of the presentation and petition, the Leader reassured residents that the concerns relating to the design and quality of the recycling bags were being addressed with the supplier and confirmed that replacement bags were also available for those reported as damaged along with additional bags for residents requiring increased capacity.  In terms of contamination, the Leader advised that the concerns raised relating to the impact of adverse weather conditions on the paper and card being placed in the blue bags when left out for collection was also being monitored with the Council’s contractor so that any issues identified could be addressed.

To demonstrate the positive impact that the blue bag scheme was having on recycling rates, Councillor Butt advised that since introduction of the scheme in October 2023 there had been a 264% increase in the recycling rate of paper and cardboard across the borough, with this enabling the Council to also explore opportunities to generate additional income through recycling to mitigate against recent budget cuts and the continued financial pressures being faced by the Council.  Regarding the planned review of the scheme, the Leader advised that this had been scheduled to provide an opportunity to fully consider its impact utilising all available evidence in order to consider any changes that may be required as part of the transition process with it pointed out, in terms of research, that a number of other councils had or were also considering the introduction of similar types of recycling schemes in an attempt to increase their recycling rates.

In concluding Councillor Butt, once again highlighting the Council’s climate and environmental commitments, emphasised the importance of waste and recycling as a priority and whilst welcoming the increased levels of recycling being achieved as a result of the scheme advised he would be willing to continue discussions with local residents in relation to any ongoing concerns.