Agenda item

Consideration was given to a report setting out the key issues stemming from the The Environment Act 2021 (the Act) which will impact on the Council’s Waste Services in the coming years. The Act received Royal Assent on the 9November 2021 after a lengthy, two-year process. The Act will set new legally binding environmental targets that will be monitored and enforced by a new body: the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP). The Act requires the secretary of state for the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to set long-term legally binding targets on air quality, biodiversity, water, resource efficiency, and waste reduction. These targets must be of at least 15 years in duration, and be proposed by late 2022. The Act sets out specific legislation that is likely to have a significant impact on how waste and recycling are dealt with, and how Councils deliver Waste Services, in the future. Challenges were noted around film and flexible packaging as well as the mandate to perform a separate food waste collection.

In discussion, Members reflected on various systems in place internationally which regard waste as a resource. The response from officers elaborated on  elements of the consultation phase which have fed into proposals.

Members also noted the desire to work with suppliers to design systems. The response from officers noted the risks of changing the quality of the household recyclables that are collected. Capacity, that is, volume of waste collected, is key to making solutions economically viable. Regional arrangements become very important in this contest; therefore, the service were engaging in those conversations.

Clarification was requested around deposit return schemes and reuse schemes. The response from officers provided details around potential deposit return schemes as well as reuse practices, noting that reuse schemes were an area of potential improvement that would be looked at as part of the response to this legislation.

Further clarification was requested around bin requirements under the legislation changes. Clarification was offered around the bin schemes that had been undertaken and those that were found to be not economical or pragmatic enough.

Implications around changes to food waste collection were cited, and Members requested assurances. Details were offered around the requirements of the law and plans for the service to remain compliant using current collection methods, and it was noted that an assessment would be required. It was hoped that the ongoing conversations with DEFRA would be productive in reaching an appropriate arrangement for Rotherham.

It was suggested that household compost could be promoted. The response from officers noted the benefits of household compost. For small businesses, it makes more sense to get a recycling plan rather than general waste, which is the most expensive service. So it is in the interest of businesses to recycle. Supermarkets will be required to deal with food sustainably.

It was suggested that Members lobby the government to help ensure positive progress is made concerning the implications of the Environment Act for Rotherham.

Resolved:-

1.    That the report be noted.

2.    That officers liaise with the Governance Advisor and IPSC Link Officer to determine the most useful time and mode for scrutiny to feed into the upcoming rolling national implementation timeline 2023-2027.

3.    That consideration be given to how best to promote and incentivise further upstream preventative approaches to waste and excess non-biodegradable packaging.

4.    That arrangements be made for Members to take part in a visit to the Manvers Treatment Facility.