New waste strategy approved
13 May 2008
South Gloucestershire Council’s ruling Cabinet has backed plans to make the district an even cleaner and greener place for residents when it met yesterday (Monday 12 May).
The Cabinet supported the introduction of the Waste Strategy (2008 – 2014), following public consultation, which will enable the Council to manage its waste in the most environmentally friendly and cost effective way possible.
The most recent figures from the Government revealed that South Gloucestershire was the fifth best unitary authority in the country at recycling, achieving a recycling rate of 39.5 per cent.
The Council wants to build on this success and achieve a recycling rate of at least 50 per cent by 2010/11, which would be 10 years ahead of the national target.
The Waste Strategy plans to:
• Introduce weekly food collections – which is expected to increase the recycling and composting rate by 9.5 per cent when it comes into effect
• Improve recycling and recovery rates at the Sort It!* centres and reduce usage by trade and non-South Gloucestershire residents. These proposals are expected to reduce the amount waste disposed at centres by around 3,000 tonnes a year. The Sort It!* centre at Stoke Gifford will be replaced with an improved facility to meet the demands of the growing population in that area
• Invest in a three-year programme to promote understanding about recycling and waste minimisation, and raise awareness about the use of enforcement as a last resort. The Council is also introducing a new fly-tipping strategy later in the year as part of this
• Join the Government’s Waste Resources Action Programme (WRAP) home composting scheme. The Council has secured funding to offer compost bins free of charge to residents for the first year of the scheme
• The Council will provide funding to continue with the community composting scheme
• Invest around £50,000 to increase the number plastic bottle recycling sites from 22 to 26 by 2010/11. A review will be carried out on glass and paper recycling at the Council’s Bring sites as these materials are collected at the kerbside and there is presently a duplication of service
• Introduce a £15 charge for the collection of bulky items, which would bring South Gloucestershire in line with other neighbouring councils and allow resources to be reinvested into recycling services. People on income support would be protected by providing them with two free collections per year
Heather Goddard, executive member for communities, said: “The Council is committed to being as environmentally responsible as possible and providing excellent, cost effective services. We want to achieve recycling rates of least 50 per cent by 2010/11, which would be 10 years ahead of the Government target. This Waste Strategy will help us achieve these goals and will build on our success so far.”
Councillor Goddard added: “I would like to thank residents for their enthusiasm and efforts to date in helping to improve recycling rates in the district, and for taking part in the public consultation on the proposals.”
After the Cabinet supported the draft Waste Strategy in December 2007, a three-month public consultation was launched on it from the start of January until the end of March so people could give their views. Residents were generally supportive of the proposals.
ENDS