Minutes:
The Chairman welcomed Adrian Gabriel, Waste Strategy Manager, and the consultants from ENVIROS who would be giving the presentation on the Draft Municipal Waste Management Strategy and Initial Options Appraisal.
The presentation formed part of the first stage of development for the long term Waste Strategy from 2004 – 2020 taking account of Government and European directives which required local authorities to divert significant quantities of waste away from landfill. This would require the Council to consider options for the treatment of waste to meet stringent landfill targets.
The presentation drew attention specifically to:-
· Why a Waste Strategy Management Strategy was required.
· The plan for the next sixteen years.
· Compliance with European and U.K. legislation.
· The short term strategy.
· Extension of current infrastructure.
· Improvement of participation in collection systems.
· Achievement of a 21% target by 2006 and further increases in recycling rates beyond this date.
· Long term strategy for waste management.
· Reduction of biodegradable waste sent to landfill.
· Assessment and underpinning of six options:-
1. High Recycling.
2. Mechanical Biological Treatment.
3. Anaerobic Digestion.
4. Incineration.
5. Gasification and Pyrolysis.
6. Combination.
· Targets to reduce biodegradable waste sent to landfill as a consequence of the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme.
· £ million (Net Present Value) of all six options.
· Generic overview of the risks.
· A summary of costs and risks associated with each option.
· Next steps to include public consultation, workshops, analysis, completion of the Full Waste Strategy and Government Office and Council approval.
A question and answer session ensued and the following issues were raised by Members:-
- How could the public get involved in the development of the Strategy?
A leaflet would be distributed to each household in Rotherham and feedback welcomed. There would also be alternative methods of consultation undertaken through the Area Assemblies, specific Focus Groups and staff would be available at the Rotherham Show to answer questions.
- Was it the best option for Rotherham and whether there was an expectation for households to become more involved?
There would be a series of criterias on which Rotherham would be scored using a process called the Best Practical Environment Option. This assessment used generic/local criteria to determine what would be the best option for future waste management in Rotherham. The requirement to divert biodegradable waste away from landfill would need increased participation from households to meet future recycling and waste diversion targets. This could include the need to separate kitchen waste for collection, although this would be dependent upon the final strategic option chosen. There was also a need to consider an alternate week collection system for residual waste to stem the current growth in household waste within the Borough. This would be the subject of a report to the Cabinet Member on the evaluation of the current kerbside green waste collection pilot scheme.
- How much would the implementation of the options cost?
A full detailed cost analysis of all the options would be undertaken as part of the consultation and development on the best practical environmental option process. There was also a need to ensure compliance with the targets on landfill allowances otherwise the Council could be subject to financial penalties for failure to comply. The penalties levied in such cases could be in the region of £200 per tonne and in specified target years fines from Europe on the country would be levied at £0.5 million per day. It was the Government’s intention to pass on such levies to failing local authorities.
- How long would it take to build and get premises up and running in Rotherham?
Any building programme would depend on the option approved in Rotherham. The planning and facility development process could take a minimum of two years, however, this could take longer in the event of any decision on the development of waste processing facilities being taken to a public enquiry.
The option of sub-regional working would also be considered as part of the strategy development in order to look at how waste processing facilities within neighbouring authorities may provide opportunities for the Council to deal with municipal waste in the future.
- In terms of studies about waste management and levels had options been considered world-wide?
In terms of recycling it was recognised that England was developing the recycling agenda to comply with legislation and attain future levels of recycling that compared with other European countries. The waste treatment options outlined in the presentation took account of tried and tested technologies that were used in Europe and other countries worldwide.
- What estimated costs would have to be dealt with as far as this Council was concerned?
The costs presented were indicative costs of the various technologies available. Due to the fact that the preferred option had not yet been determined it was not possible to provide specific costings until the preferred option and procurement mechanisms were determined.
- Reference was made to the blue box scheme and if there were any plans for this to be replaced.
The blue box scheme would continue to collect items such as glass, cans and textiles. The current blue bin scheme operated within Sheffield only provided for the collection of paper and card at the present time.
- Out of the options put forward which would be recommended to the public in Rotherham?
At the current time there was no recommendation or favoured option as it was important to assess all the options outlined in the waste strategy document. It would be foolish to come to a decision without undertaking a full consultation process involving Members, stakeholders and the residents of Rotherham.
- Creation Recycling System was in operation in the Valley area and funded by the Single Regeneration Budget – would this still continue?
This scheme was referred to in the Waste Strategy document and discussions were taking place with Creation with a view to them introducing a kerbside weekly collection of dry recyclables from September 2004, initially on a trial basis.
- What happened once the Waste Strategy had been developed?
The Strategy would provide the framework for Rotherham to develop the necessary infrastructure to manage waste over the next fifteen years to comply with current legislative requirements. The final strategy would also include review dates of five years in line with Government guidelines to allow for changes to meet future legislation and the Council’s strategic direction on waste.
- What would happen if items were placed in the wrong bins?
Every effort was made to provide a collection service to participants in kerbside recycling schemes and residents were informed why certain items had not been collected should they have been placed in the wrong receptacle.
- Where would a waste processing plant be located?
No locations had been identified at present as the preferred option for dealing with waste had not been chosen. The consultation process was designed to include all stakeholders in determining the best option for the Council. As part of this process Planning and Transportation would provide the necessary advice on the future availability of suitable sites.
- A number of landfill sites had re-applied for permits – was this linked to this scheme and once permits had been granted with emissions – was this an opportunity for incinerators to be built?
Reasons for landfill sites applying for new permits were linked to the European Landfill Directive and the need to ensure common standards for landfill existed across Europe.
In the event that someone applied for new facilities on a landfill site, this would be subject to them being granted planning permission for change of use. There were now tighter controls on landfill sites and the appropriate permissions and permits would have to be sought through the planning and waste licensing processes.
- Would the amount of waste managed continue to grow in the future?
The Waste Strategy 2000 indicated that the amount of household waste produced was rising by 3% per annum however, recent information suggested the current rate was in the region of 1.4% per annum. The development of the Waste Strategy predicted an increase in household waste of 1.27% for modelling purposes. It was imperative that facilities for diverting waste away from landfill were sourced to comply with future landfill allowances, otherwise the Council may be subject to significant fines for not meeting allocated targets. A continued increase in the amount of waste produced in Rotherham could not be accepted; a long term strategic direction needed to be developed.
- Concern was expressed about the mixing of different types of rubbish, especially around holiday times like Christmas – had consideration been given to increased collections around this busy period?
Publicity material was circulated to residents around Christmas about how to minimise their waste output. Also the refuse collection service worked on Saturdays to minimise the frequencies between collections. In relation to other Bank Holidays the refuse collection service operated as normal, this was in response to customer requirements and had been in operation since the introduction of the Refuse Collection and Recycling Services Contract in 2002
- Were there any incentives for the public to recycle or minimise waste?
It was hoped that by providing publicity about the benefits and value to recycling, this would be an incentive enough. Options for incentive schemes to increase participation in the current kerbside recycling services were currently being evaluated.
The Chairman thanked Adrian Gabriel and the Consultants from ENVIROS for their very informative presentation. The comments made were noted.