Litter Bin Strategy
North Lanarkshire Council · 9 November 2022
Back to Environment and Climate Change Committee — 9 November 2022 and its agenda
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Environment and Climate Change Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☒ Yes ☐ No Ref AMcP/ JA Date 09/11/22 Litter Bin Strategy From Andrew McPherson, Head of Regulatory Services and Waste Solutions E-mail mcphersona@northlan.gov.uk Telephone 07939 280467 Executive Summary The purpose of this report is to advise committee of the outcome of the litter bin consultation as required by the motion agreed at the council meeting on 7 October 2021. The report also seeks approval of the new strategy that would enable modernisation of the service and see a consistent approach to litter bin provision across North Lanarkshire, the introduction of new litter bins across the centre and south operational areas and the removal of the old assets on a phased programme. Recommendations It is recommended that committee 1. Acknowledge the outcome of the public consultation exercise. 2. Approve the introduction of the litter bin strategy. 3. Approve the installation of new bins across the remainder of North Lanarkshire and the removal of the existing small capacity bins where appropriate. The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority Improve North Lanarkshire's resource base Ambition statement (17) Ensure we keep our environment clean, safe, and attractive
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1. Background 1.1 Since the introduction of the first street bins, the servicing method has remained unchanged within North Lanarkshire where all bins have been serviced using a manual process. Adjacent local authorities have moved away from small capacity bins and manual operations to enable a more efficient service to be provided and to reduce vehicle trips which has a positive impact on carbon emissions and contributes towards net zero targets. 1.2 Currently bin servicing in North Lanarkshire is undertaken in two phases where each bin is emptied by one member of the team and the bag deposited at a designated location for uplift by another member of the team. The two phased approach means there is a risk of bags remaining within the local environment for several days if the service experiences unforeseen circumstance such as vehicle breakdowns, or a shortage of drivers due to absence. When this happens, anecdotal evidence shows that fly tipping can occur at these areas and the bags can be accessed by wildlife which results in litter being spread into the local areas and the need for localised cleaning to be carried out. 1.3 The council currently has 4,771 small capacity bins for disposing of litter and dog waste, with the majority being dual waste bins, and this number continues to rise year on year. Historically the service has been demand driven with many requests for additional bins centring on the disposal of dog waste. 1.4 The cost of providing a small capacity bin is relatively low, however each bin requires to have appropriate servicing and this needs, staffing, vehicles, and fuel throughout the lifecycle of the bin. Historic savings incurred by the service mean that it is no longer possible to manually service bins at the desired frequency and this results in many bins overspilling into the local environment which leads to an aesthetic and environmental impact and an increase in service requests/ complaints. 1.5 At a meeting of the Council on the 21 February 2019 a decision was taken to accept a budget saving of £84,000 relating to litter bin rationalisation which saw the reduction of staff by 3.5FTE. As part of the saving, a review of the existing litter bins was to be undertaken and a 20% reduction of bins introduced. In addition, bin sensors were to be installed to enable a more efficient use of existing resources. 1.6 Following the above decision, the first phase of the litter bin review focused on the north operational area, Forgewood in Motherwell, and latterly country parks and the eight town centres due to increased use during the initial stages of the pandemic. The majority of the large capacity bins were installed between May and October 2021 with some additions and alterations being introduced following feedback received by the service. 1.7 At the council meeting on the 7 October 2021 a motion was submitted and agreed in the names of Councillor Goldie and Councillor Carragher as follows: “That this Council instructs Environmental Assets to carry out a review of the sites and emptying schedule of the new waste bins. This review would include a consultation with the Community Boards and other Community Groups through the existing NLC Corporate Communication network. The aim of the review would be to establish whether the current sites are the most appropriate to facilitate the needs of residents for the disposal of litter and dog waste. The results of this review would be brought back in a report to a future Environment and Transportation Committee”
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2. Report 2.1 Following the council meeting on the 21 February 2019, and to ensure a consistent approach was applied, the service undertook an exercise to review all street bins across North Lanarkshire. This review was based on criteria developed and updated as part of a draft strategy that was constructed in 2015 following market research but was not implemented at that time. 2.2 Given the extent of the network, the review process was undertaken on a phased basis and the first phase included the north operational area, Forgewood in Motherwell and latterly country parks and town centres were added due to increased footfall being evident during the initial period of the pandemic. Litter Bin Strategy 2.3 The purpose of the litter bin strategy is to ensure that a consistent approach is taken to litter bins across North Lanarkshire. The strategy will also help the council move towards a more efficient service that will transform our open spaces and streets. It will include the introduction of good quality increased capacity litter bins, frequent servicing and maintenance and bins will be provided at considered locations and identified hotspots which will enable resources to be more focused on priority areas within our communities. 2.4 The new strategy will help the council meet the aims of the national litter strategy (updated version due to be published later this year) and the ambitious targets set within the councils Climate Plan. Modernising how we deliver services is important to ensure we meet these targets. By using vehicles with greater capacity, we will reduce vehicle trips which will have a positive impact on carbon emissions. 2.5 For the strategy to work effectively it needs to be accompanied by a suitable and sustainable asset. It is therefore proposed to standardise the litter bins provided within our communities and by using bins constructed of a composite material that will have a longer life and are not subject to corrosion which is evident on many of the existing small capacity galvanised steel bins. The bins will also have a longer life cycle and will reduce the risk posed to users and staff which occurs from corroded galvanised steel bins. 2.6 The existing small capacity bins do not have a current maintenance regime however to ensure that the lifespan of the bin asset is maximised it is important that an appropriate maintenance regime is established, this will also ensure that bins are attractive to use, and the condition does not deter the disposal of waste appropriately. It is therefore proposed to introduce a bin cleaning programme with bins in town centre environments cleaned and inspected four time per year and all other bins twice annually. The planned programme would not prevent ad-hoc cleaning where required. 2.7 It is not possible to provide bins in every street, therefore bins will be focused on considered locations and identified hotspots such as main transport hubs, outside school and colleges, fast foods outlets, at parks etc. Further detail is contained within section 6.0 of the litter bin strategy. 2.8 To ensure that all bins can be serviced safely, and the council meets its obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act each location is risk assessed. This ensures
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that bins are not placed at locations where they cannot be serviced e.g. junctions, bends etc and the risk to staff involved in the emptying process is reduced. 2.9 The initial intention was for most bins to be serviced on a three-weekly cycle like the current household waste service, with increased servicing provided in town centres and country parks where litter generation and bin use was higher. 2.10 It is evident from the initial rollout of the new bins that some bins are being used for the disposal of household waste and commercial waste and as data becomes available options will be explored to address these issues as this only results in an increase in demand for reactive emptying between cycles. It is worth noting that the disposal of household waste is not a new issue, and this also occurred when small capacity bins were in place. 2.11 Similarly, from service requests received by the Service, it is also clear that certain bins outwith the original high footfall areas required to be serviced on a more frequent basis. Where this has been the case either additional bin capacity has been introduced or the frequency of emptying has been increased. 2.12 The introduction of sensor technology would be considered upon completion of the full roll out of the new bins. Installing sensors would initially focus on problematic areas where waste levels are exceeding emptying frequencies. The use of this technology and the associated data will help to inform the need for increased local capacity, revised emptying frequency or enforcement requirements where the bins are being used for the inappropriate disposal of household or commercial waste. 2.13 When introducing any service change it is important to monitor the impact to enable success to be measured and to make appropriate changes where required. It is proposed to use the Local Environmental Audit and Management System (LEAMS) managed by Keep Scotland Beautiful (KSB) and customer enquiries to monitor and inform future improvements to the litter bin provision. 2.14 It is important to note that the provision of street bins is only one element that contributes to local environmental quality and the council are working with Keep Scotland Beautiful on several areas to change cultural behaviour and introduce a proactive approach to litter and waste. To date this include the council’s ‘give your litter a lift’ campaign, cross boundary working with several other local authorities and a joint bid with Glasgow City Council where joint funding of £75,000 was achieved to tackle chewing gum. 2.15 To compliment the work undertaken by Keep Scotland Beautiful, the Council’s Environmental Protection Officers also patrol/monitor known highly littered areas and issue Fixed Penalty Fines to those individuals who deliberately litter. Consultation 2.16 As requested by the motion submitted to council a consultation exercise was carried out using Survey Monkey and the consultation distributed to Community Boards and Community Groups. The consultation was published on the council’s website on Thursday 29th of September and published on the council’s social media platforms and two weeks were provided to provide a response. 2.17 Given that some areas already had bins installed as part of the first phase of the project, two consultation documents were created to enable responses to be provided from areas where bins were now established and those yet to receive new high-capacity
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bins. The survey focused on several areas, including bin type, location, servicing and maintenance and smart technology. 2.18 The results from the public consultation for the Northern Corridor, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth areas and all other areas is included in appendix 3 and 4 respectively. Consultation Outcome Overview 2.19 There was a significant response to the survey with 1,325 responses received for the survey relating to the Northern Corridor, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth and 999 responses for the survey covering all other areas. Litter bin type 2.20 In terms of the style and construction there was significant agreement that the bin capacity should be a minimum of 240 litre and the design should be a closed top although the opinion was split in terms of the construction of the bins. When examining the individual comments, there was concern over vandalism and the feeling that galvanised steel may be more robust. Although vandalism does occur this is in a small number of cases when compared against the overall asset and as such it is proposed to install glass fibre bins which have a significantly longer asset life and are not susceptible to corrosion which results in health and safety concerns. Proposed Locations 2.21 In terms of proposed locations there was significant agreement ranging from 83% to 99% for the locations suggested. Although there was agreement about cashline machines this dropped 64% and 72% for each of the surveys and this may be a result of odour concerns which have been highlighted in the general comments provided. 2.22 Other areas suggested where bins should be provided were supermarkets, retail parks and canals however the responsibility for litter management at these locations would rest with the owners and Scottish Canals respectively. There was a suggestion that bins should be provided at car parks and provision has now been made for this, although this would only relate to council owned carparks where there is need for local litter and dog waste disposal. 2.23 The main area of concern related to the provision of bins within play areas and parks, whilst the strategy looks to maximise mechanical collection of the waste, provision has been made to reintroduce bins that would be manually serviced where operationally it would be beneficial. Smaller capacity bins in good condition which have been replaced by large capacity bins will be retained for this purpose. 2.24 It was also suggested that bins be placed on woodland walks and areas away from the main public road and footpath network however from an operational perspective the servicing of bins in very remote areas would be beyond the current resources available and is not something that is generally provided. Grassed Areas used for dog Walking 2.25 The strategy makes provision for providing bins next to some green spaces where dog walking occurs. There was significant agreement that bins should be provided at these locations and the provision of bins on dog walking routes was one of the main issues raised. As indicated previously the strategy looks to maximise mechanical collection of waste however the strategy does make provision for manual servicing where
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operationally it would be beneficial and there was significant agreement that this be provided where data supports the need. 2.26 From the survey responses there was a significant ask for the provision of more dog waste bins. It should be noted that the council has not provided dog waste bins since around 2012 due to the small capacity and significant servicing requirements. All street bins are combined waste bins that can be used for the disposal of litter and dog waste. In addition, every household can dispose of their dog waste at home via the residual waste bins. Maintenance and Servicing 2.27 There was significant agreement that cleaning frequencies and emptying frequencies should differ where use is greater such as town centres and country parks, however there was concerns that this may lead to bins not being serviced for a significant period however there would be no proposals to exceed the proposed three weekly frequency. Introduction of Technology 2.28 When asked about the introduction of smart technology 68% and 78% of those that responded to the surveys support the idea. However, there were some concerns that this could be costly, and the funding would be better used for other services, there were concerns that vandalism may impact the technology and that the data may not be used. 2.29 There is currently funding within the change management fund to undertake a trial of the sensor technology which would enable the benefits to be determined, only once this evaluation has been undertaken would a decision be taken on the potential to increase the use of the technology on the wider bin asset. Other Comments 2.30 Although there is considerable support for the new approach to street bins there were numerous concerns raised regarding appropriate servicing frequencies and the use of street bins for the disposal of household waste. The service is aware of both issues and through the Recover NL programme investment is being made on two new smaller refuse collection vehicles which will help support improve servicing. Collection information is also being gathered that would enable increased local capacity to be provided or servicing frequencies to be adjusted. 2.31 The issue of disposal of household waste within street bins can impact servicing needs and the local environment however each location will require to be reviewed on a case- by-case basis, this may lead to increased capacity, amended servicing or enforcement action taken where appropriate. 3. Measures of success 3.1 The number of requests for service relating to emptying of litter bins will reduce. 3.2 The street cleanliness index which is a statutory indicator will improve.
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4. Supporting documentation Appendix 1 - Litter Bin Strategy Survey (Northern Corridor, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) Appendix 2 - Litter Bin Strategy Survey (All other areas) Appendix 3 - Outcome of Consultation for areas where bins are in place Appendix 4 - Outcome of Consultation for areas where bins are still to be installed Appendix 5 - Litter Bin Strategy Andrew McPherson Head of Regulatory Service and Waste Solutions
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5. Impacts ( http://connect/report-template-guidance ) 5.1 Public Sector Equality Duty and Fairer Scotland Duty Does the report contain information that has an impact as a result of the Public Sector Equality Duty and/or Fairer Scotland Duty? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? If Yes, has an assessment been carried out and published on the council’s website? https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/your-community/equalities/equality-and-fairer- scotland-duty-impact-assessments Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.2 Financial impact Does the report contain any financial impacts? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, have all relevant financial impacts have been discussed and agreed with Financial Solutions? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Financial costs relating to implementation of new bins, capital funding has been identified to undertake the project and funding is contained within the change management fund to undertake initial work on sensor technology. 5.3 HR policy impact Does the report contain any HR policy or procedure impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant HR impacts have been discussed and agreed with People and Organisational Development? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.4 Legal impact Does the report contain any legal impacts (such as general legal matters, statutory considerations (including employment law considerations), or new legislation)? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant legal impacts have been discussed and agreed with Legal and Democratic Solutions? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.5 Data protection impact Does the report / project / practice contain or involve the processing of personal data? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, is the processing of this personal data likely to result in a high risk to the data subject? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, has a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) been carried out and e- mailed to dataprotection@northlan.gov.uk Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.6 Technology / Digital impact
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Does the report contain information that has an impact on either technology, digital transformation, service redesign / business change processes, data management, or connectivity / broadband / Wi-Fi? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? As part of the second phase of the project whereby sensor technology will be deployed further discussions will be held with the appropriate services and the EAGG at that time. Where the impact identifies a requirement for technology, has an assessment been carried out (or scheduled) by the Enterprise Architecture Governance Group (EAGG)? Yes ☐ No ☒ 5.7 Environmental / Carbon impact Does the report / project / practice contain information that has an impact on any environmental or carbon matters? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.8 Communications impact Does the report contain any information that has an impact on the council’s communications activities? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Prior to the installation of the new bins in the remaining areas a coms plan will require to be developed and information provided to show the new locations, bins remaining and bins being removed. 5.9 Risk impact Is there a risk impact? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the key risks and potential impacts, highlighting where the risk(s) are assessed and recorded (e.g. Corporate or Service or Project Risk Registers), and how they are managed? If the new strategy is not adopted the service will not be able to be modernised and the council will have some areas where bins are serviced using refuse vehicles and others where manual servicing is needed. This two tier system will mean that resources in some areas could not be targeted to other important local issues due to the continuous need to manually service bins.
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Appendix 1
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Appendix 2
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Appendix 3
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Additional Comments Provided Question 2 Litter Bin Strategy Survey Northern Corridor, Cumbernauld & Kilsyth. Do you have any other comments regarding the bin capacity, style or construction? Answered 932 Skipped 393 Question 4 Litter Bin Strategy Survey Northern Corridor, Cumbernauld & Kilsyth. Do you think there are other areas where bins should be sited or do you have any other comments? Answered 769 Skipped 556 Question 5 Litter Bin Strategy Survey Northern Corridor, Cumbernauld & Kilsyth. It is not possible to provide litter bins in all residential estates. However, we recognise the demand for litter bins near some open space grassed areas for litter and dog waste where data supports this. Do you agree? Answer Choices Responses Yes 92.20% 1146 No 6.52% 81 Don't know/No opinion 1.29% 16 Please use the space below to provide any additional comments you may have. 451 Answered 1243 Skipped 82
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Question 10 Litter Bin Strategy Survey Northern Corridor, Cumbernauld & Kilsyth. Using this new technology, our focus will be on bins which fill faster than expected. After that, we’ll consider extending the scheme across all the bins in NLC. Do you agree with the use of technology and approach suggested? Answer Choices Responses Yes 68.31% 830 No 22.72% 276 Don't know/No opinion 8.97% 109 Please use the space below to provide any further comments you may have. 437 Answered 1215 Skipped 110
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Appendix 4
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Additional Comments Provided Question 4 Litter Bin Strategy Survey Do you have any other comments regarding the bin capacity, style and construction? Answered 447 Skipped 552 Question 6 Litter Bin Strategy Survey Do you think there are other areas where bins should be sited or do you have any other comments? Answered 462 Skipped 537 Question 7 Litter Bin Strategy Survey It is not possible to provide litter bins in all residential estates. However, we recognise the demand for litter bins near some open space grassed areas for litter and dog waste where data supports this. Do you agree? Answer Choices Responses Yes 94.13% 882 No 4.59% 43 Don't know/No opinion 1.28% 12 Please use the space below to provide any additional comments you may have. 236 Answered 937 Skipped 62
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Question 12 Litter Bin Strategy Survey Using this new technology, our focus will be on bins which fill faster than expected. After that, we’ll consider extending the scheme across all the bins in NLC. Do you agree with the use of technology and approach suggested? Answer Choices Responses Yes 78.23% 708 No 13.48% 122 Don't know/No opinion 8.29% 75 Please use the space below to provide any additional comments you may have. 245 Answered 905 Skipped 94
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Appendix 5 Litter Bin Strategy
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Document Control This document is controlled by the Roads and Land Maintenance Manager and is held at RECORD OF AMENDMENTS Date Version Author Changes
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Contents Executive summary 1.0 Introduction 2.0 Current Litter Bin Provision 3.0 Challenges 4.0 Bin Specification 5.0 Litter Style 6.0 Location Criteria 7.0 Positioning 8.0 Asset Management 9.0 Rationalisation/ Replacement 10.0 Approval Process 11.0 Servicing and Inspection 12.0 Provision of Smart Technology 13.0 Monitoring Impact 14.0 Partnership Working Appendix 1 – Bin location check list Appendix 2 – Prioritisation of requests
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Executive Summary North Lanarkshire’s Litter Bin Strategy aims to provide guidance which will enable the movement away from the current demand driven bin installation process, to provide more suitably designed general waste bins in targeted locations. It aims to address in part the national litter strategy for Scotland called towards a litter-free Scotland: a strategic approach to higher quality local environments. Research including findings from the UK and other countries along with our own audits highlight there are problems with small bin capacities, small aperture openings, lack of facilities to dispose of cigarette ends and gum, pole-mounted bins and corrosion. It is proposed that the use of pole-mounted litter bins, open top litter bins and dedicated dog waste bins be discontinued. Furthermore, that all bins purchased should meet a set of criteria to ensure they are fit for purpose and cost effective and so help reduce littering. Litter bins should meet the following criteria • have minimum capacity of 240 litres, (except in extraordinary circumstance where 120l bins can be provided) • be of closed top design • be free-standing • be dual purpose to collect litter and dog fouling unless recycling or smoking specific • be provided in a standard colour scheme • have North Lanarkshire Council iconography and clear signage • be of durable construction and design It is proposed that all existing bins are assessed to determine their suitability and location. Bins should only be provided in areas which meet the siting criteria, advised in this document, and where they will have a positive impact on littering levels and street cleanliness. Litter bins should be in the following areas • Outside main transport interchanges (train stations, bus shelters, car parks and taxi ranks) • Outside schools and colleges • Near fast food and convenience stores • Entrances and exits to parks and open spaces • Within North Lanarkshire’s three Country Parks • Outside public and government buildings (health centres, dentists, libraries, churches etc) • At public seating areas • Open spaces/grassed areas where dog walking is likely to occur • Areas where people are likely to queue, for example, public toilets, ATMs • Cemeteries and memorial gardens
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Since it is not possible to provide litter bins in all residential estates and every property has access to numerous bins for the disposal of all waste types, as a general policy litter bins will not be provided. There is demand for litter bins to accommodate dog waste and it is recognised that open space grassed areas where dog walking is likely to occur can be considered for bin placement however the bin must be at a location where it can be serviced by a vehicle. It is likely that a reduction in total bins across the authority could be in the region of 40% i.e. from 4,771 to 2,863; however, the total capacity will see a potential increase of up to 400% overall, as a result of a movement towards a minimum capacity of 240 litre bins. It is also important to note that bins will be provided in more suitable locations and have increased durability. This should, therefore, be viewed as a significant service improvement for the users and the council’s operational teams. It is proposed that a routine cleaning schedule should be introduced to ensure bins are kept in good condition and are attractive to use. Large capacity bins should be considered at the routes to parks and large open spaces and be positioned at locations where they can be serviced by a vehicle. Only in extraordinary circumstances would bins that require a manual operation be placed within parks and this would be to meet operational needs. These provide far greater capacity than normal bins and, therefore, far less frequent visits to empty albeit using a larger vehicle. An additional benefit is the opportunity they offer for staff to use them to place litter collected in the vicinity thereby allowing resources to be targeted to areas that require a higher level of service. New technology offers innovations to the method of managing bins by placing sensors within the bin that wirelessly communicates with software accessed via a web page. Such systems alert the service when bins need to be emptied but also develop emptying frequencies by continually undertaking trend analysis. Such systems would require investment but would enable a more proactive approach to street bin servicing and would see a decrease in demand driven requests. It is suggested that such systems are targeted to specific locations where bins are filling quickly between servicing cycles, however as the cost of technology decreases there may be an opportunity to install sensors in all bins. It is necessary that we monitor the impact of this strategy. It is recommended that the existing statutory indicator of street cleanliness be used to compare pre and post strategy implementation along with the tonnage collected from bins, the level of complaints and enquiries, customer satisfaction surveys, measurements of the lifetime of bins and individual bin audits. While the focus of the strategy is based on operational needs and meeting our statutory duties by placing litter bins at the appropriate locations now and in the future, there are many other aspects to reducing littering levels in North Lanarkshire. It is recognised that partnership working with all council staff external agencies and community groups is essential to achieve the best environmental results.
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Introduction Scotland’s litter problem is well documented. In recent years large scale research projects have been undertaken by various organisations including the Scottish Government to try to better understand this problem with the aim of tackling it more effectively. This resulted in the National Litter Strategy for Scotland called towards a litter-free Scotland: a strategic approach to higher quality local environments which was launched in June 2014 and highlights the benefits of a clean, safe environment. It is designed to encourage people to take greater responsibility, and for organisations to be more accountable, as part of the overall focus on preventing litter and illegal dumping. Zero Waste Scotland provided much of the research for this strategy document. Key points of the research are • 50% of the population admit to having littered at some point • More than 250 million individual litter items – and more than 60,000 fly tipping incidents are dealt with by public bodies each year • Around 25% of Scots see litter as a problem in our local communities • Littering by individuals is often habitual or caused through thoughtless actions These findings are of particular concern since litter and fly-tipping contribute to crime, ill health, accidents, and lower property values as well as the obvious environmental impacts. Furthermore, as a society, we pay to deal with these effects, and Zero Waste Scotland estimates that it costs Scotland’s local authorities incur direct costs of £46 million per year to deal with fly tipping and litter. In addition, there is a further £4.5m spent on enforcement and education. There are also indirect costs that are likely to exceed £25m per year from social, health and safety and nature and wildlife impacts. Over and above these costs, a further value is being lost to Scotland because around 50% of litter and fly tipping could be recycled if disposed of correctly. Research conducted by Keep Scotland Beautiful found that over 92% of Scots thought it important that we were litter-free for the international events hosted in Scotland in 2014. The real gains for the Country and for those charged with keeping it clean are evident when we stop dropping litter in the first place. It is recognised that behavioural change is essential and strong and consistent campaign messaging aimed at making the dropping of litter as socially unacceptable in the future as drink driving is today is required”. The most obvious anti-litter infrastructure is public litter bins. The Brook Lyndhurst review of littering behaviour and anti-littering policies commissioned by Zero Waste Scotland is clear that the provision of litter bins can reduce littering levels within an area. However, more bins is not necessarily the solution to the litter problem, and even when it is, it is not a service that is free and it is worth noting that a poorly serviced overflowing bin is as likely to generate a litter problem as to reduce it, if people are deterred from using the bin, or waste is simply added only to spill out onto the ground [8, 9]. Scottish local authorities currently provide tens of thousands of public litter bins with the aim of encouraging members of the public to dispose of their waste responsibly and reduce littering levels. Zero Waste Scotland are clear that litter bins need to be of an appropriate size, provided in appropriate locations, be serviced regularly
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and be clean and smartly presented to be an effective tool in litter prevention. Considering the various research studies which have been conducted on overall bin numbers and resultant littering levels, simply increasing bin numbers is unlikely to be effective in tackling the litter problem in North Lanarkshire. Furthermore, increasing bin numbers generates unnecessary costs in terms of bin purchase, bin replacement and associated operational costs. This litter bin strategy aims to address the current litter bin infrastructure in North Lanarkshire and help reduce littering levels. It is proposed that this aim can be best expressed as: North Lanarkshire’s Litter Bin Strategy aims to provide guidance which will enable the movement away from the current demand driven bin installation process, to provide more suitably designed general waste bins in targeted locations within North Lanarkshire. 1.0 Current litter bin provision North Lanarkshire Council is the fourth largest local authority in Scotland by population and serves 341,370 residents (30 June 2019). To reduce the incidences of littering the authority currently provides 4,771 litter bins of which 557 are designated dog waste bins, 978 are general litter bins and 3,236 are dual bins which are designed to be used for dog waste and general waste. 2,541 of these bins are free standing with 2,230 pole mounted bins. Individual bins range in capacity with 50 litre, 70 litre, 90 litre, 120 litre and 240 litre bins throughout the authority area. There are more than 40 different bin styles, many of which detract from their purpose due to their design, location, or condition. In general, bins are relatively equally distributed throughout the authority, but some residential areas have a greater number due in the main to dog walking activity. 2.0 Challenges While there are a significant number of litter bins there are a range of problems which reduce their effectiveness. The following problems are evident within the existing bin population: • small capacities • small aperture openings • litter being spread by the wind and birds because of open-top design • lack of facilities to dispose of cigarette ends • broken mounts on pole-mounted bins • rust and corrosion damage • dirt and grime deposits on bins • broken doors which enclose the inner liner of the bin • vandalism damage including burning It is important that these issues are addressed as Zero Waste Scotland research suggests that not only the availability of bins but also the bin condition can impact on their usage and thus on the levels of litter present in the surrounding areas. Although bin aesthetics are important, especially in high footfall areas such as town centres, practicality is the most important factor in bin design, especially the ease of emptying the bins. In the past the practicality of the bins purchased has been given a lower priority than the look of the bins.
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3.0 Bin Specification To address these issues, it is essential that a specification be created from a set of criteria established for the purchase of new bins to be sited on Council ground and/or serviced by council staff. It is not proposed that a standard bin be used rather that a set of criteria be established within which a range of bins can be specified. It is proposed that all bins purchased by North Lanarkshire Council should meet the following criteria. The minimum capacity should be 240 litres. This size has been to maximise the total bin capacity which will impact on the emptying frequency required. Bins of smaller capacity require to be emptied more frequently when compared to larger capacity bins in the same location. The use of smaller capacity bins would result in the requirement for greater numbers of bins to be purchased to provide the same capacity and service provision as the larger capacity bins, in the same area. Smaller bin size would require increased frequency of collections and associated maintenance and cleaning of the bins, which all results in increased costs to the authority. The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) state that generally, the larger the bin, the lower the servicing cost per litre of litter emptied. Bins smaller than 120 litres are not suitable due to the reasons listed above, however, bins of much larger capacity may also be unsuitable due to the increased physical size of the bin, which could cause access issues depending on the location. Both total capacity and physical size must be considered when selecting suitably designed bins. All bins provided by the authority should be of closed top design. This will help to reduce waste spillage, which currently occurs from open top bins, which then creates a further burden on council services. It is also aimed at reducing the incidence of illegal dumping of waste in on-street litter bins, which is a problem mainly associated with bins of open top design. Spillage of waste from these bins is a problem highlighted in much of the current research as well as audits carried out in North Lanarkshire. Their open top design increases their susceptibility to wind and can result in litter being blown from the bins to surrounding areas. This design also enables, and arguably encourages, waste to be thrown towards the bin rather than being placed in the bin. Studies conducted by DEFRA have shown that many people do not pick up their waste if it is thrown towards the bin opening and misses, landing on the ground. This research also highlights that open top bins are more susceptible to the illegal dumping of waste in public litter bins compared to bins with closed tops. Their open top design makes it easier to dump bags of household waste or commercial waste in the bins. New litter bins should all be free-standing. No pole mounted litter bins should be purchased. These bins contribute to the negative aesthetic impact of on-street waste collection and research has suggested they are also not as cost effective as free-standing litter bins. Middlesbrough Council highlight that they are of limited value in terms of their capacity, durability, and generally low impact on reducing levels of litter. Research shows that the capacity of a litter bin directly impacts on maintenance costs as smaller bins require to be emptied more frequently in direct comparison to larger capacity bins provided in the same area. The cost of a 50 litre pole mounted bin as opposed to a 120 litre free-standing bin has been estimated by Rossendale Borough Council, to be approximately 60% more over the bins life cycle and this efficiency would increase with a minimum bin size of 240 litres. It is important to note that this figure will show some variation in each local authority and is dependent on footfall numbers and resultant litter bin usage. However, taking this into account there is clear indication that it would be more cost effective to provide larger free- standing litter bins as opposed to smaller pole-mounted litter bins.
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Throughout North Lanarkshire many pole-mounted litter bins have broken mounts which results in the bins falling to the ground. Their small physical size means the bin aperture opening is then very low to the ground. This is problematic for several reasons. Firstly, it makes the area look untidy and neglected and secondly, it requires users to bend down close to ground level to be able to dispose of waste. It should be noted that some people will be unable to do this due to personal limitations. It is likely to result in some members of the public choosing to litter rather than dispose of their waste in these bins due to the extra perceived effort involved. Furthermore, because of the broken mounts, these pole-mounted bins no longer comply with the Department for Transport’s Inclusive Mobility Guidelines. The guidelines state that the bin opening should be 1000mm above ground level to ensure ease of use by most of the general public. New litter bins should all be dual purpose for general waste and dog fouling. There are currently 557 dedicated dog waste bins provided in various locations throughout the authority. This strategy supports the continued removal of dedicated dog waste bins and that no new dog waste bins are provided. Where areas have multiple dog waste bins and there is a known problem with dog fouling in the area, free-standing dual litter bins should be provided as a replacement. These bins are of a much larger capacity than the current dedicated dog waste bins used and can collect litter alongside dog waste. Research suggests it is far more efficient to collect dog waste in dual litter bins when compared to dedicated dog waste bins. There is a perception held by members of the public that to tackle the problem with dog fouling the Council should invest in large numbers of dog bins and provide them throughout the authority. However, this would not be cost effective as simply providing more bins is unlikely to influence people who currently choose not to pick up after their dogs. The problem may be better tackled by aiming to reduce fouling instances and promoting responsible disposal of waste within the bins provided or at home rather than simply increasing bin numbers, which therefore results in increased costs. While many dog owners do pick up fouling there remains a tendency to want to bin this as soon as possible and where this is not possible to attach the waste bag to a fence, tree, or such like. The message that such bags should be placed in the residents’ domestic residual bin needs to be at the forefront of all communication plans. Bins should be provided in a standard colour scheme. To enable the easy identification of a litter bin. The current colour scheme which is used by North Lanarkshire Council is varied; however, most litter bins are black. It is proposed that all dual-purpose litter bins purchased will be black to ensure consistency across all areas. The bins which the authority provides should have North Lanarkshire Council iconography and clear signage applied to the front (and rear where appropriate). This should clearly display the function of the bin, that is, dual litter and dog fouling. In their study researching how to deal with the problem of littering, Lewis, Turton and Sweetman (2009) state that clear signage on and around bins is also important so people know what to put where, as well as being aware of the bins in the first place. Bins must be of durable construction and design. Part of the council savings options 2013/16 proposed that the replacement timescale of a litter bin be extended to 15 years and it was stated this efficiency saving does not propose the withdrawal of litter bins currently in existence but will see a reduction in the replacement of these bins within their current lifespan, as well as a reduction in the installation of new litter bins across the authority.
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Bins which have been purchased over recent years have been reviewed to assess if they are durable enough to last the required 15 years. The conclusion of this assessment is that these bins are not durable enough and are likely to last around five years, after which refurbishment or complete replacement is required. This is a result of a combination of the effects of rock salt applied to treat icing conditions, vandalism, and lack of maintenance. Considering the durability of the current bins and the whole life costs associated with refurbishment and increased maintenance, purchasing glass fibre composite (GFC) litter bins in the future provides the best overall value for money. This would ensure the litter bins provided remain in a good condition throughout their time in use since they do not degrade to an extent which causes a negative aesthetic impact on the local area or compromises the function of the bin. Bins constructed from GFC are corrosion resistant, fire resistant and are extremely durable. The lifespan of each bin has been found to be between 10 and 15 years in coastal environments (Scarborough Borough Council) where bins have remained in good condition. Like metal bins, a refurbishment service is available at the end of this period at half the cost of purchasing a new bin, potentially meaning the bins could last up to 30 years. The table below highlights the whole life costs across a 15 year period between GFC and Galvanised Metal bins. Litter Bin Construction Glass Fibre Composite (240l) Galvanised Metal (240l) Cost per bin (2019/20) £500 £260 Manufacturer warranty 1 year parts and labour 1 year parts and labour and 10 year anti perforation (subject to maintenance schedule being adhered to) Expected lifespan (to need of refurbishment/replacement) 15 years (at NLC maintenance schedule) 5 years (at NLC maintenance schedule) Number of refurbishments necessary based on manufacturer warranty N/A 1 Number of refurbishments necessary based on expected lifespan 0 1 Number of replacements necessary based on expected lifespan 0 1 Cost of refurbishment £250 £130 Total cost over 15 years (based on expected lifespan) per bin £500 £650
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It should be noted that these costs are correct as of 2019/20 when new bins were installed within the Country Parks/ Town Centres and North Operational area. Market conditions have significantly changed and the current cost of a Glass Fibre Composite bin is £718 and a Galvanised Metal bin is £739 reflecting growing energy and material costs. These costs are likely to reduce depending on volume ordered. Whilst it is not a current issue there have been instances of the current galvanised metal bins being stolen and it is thought that they were being stolen for their scrap value. Glass fibre composite bins have no scrap value and as such are unlikely to be subject to theft. It is proposed that wherever possible glass fibre composite (GFC) material is specified. Bin style There are over 40 different styles of bin installed in North Lanarkshire. Many are not fit for purpose and contribute to a poor look to an area, but also cause staff problems when emptying due to the different styles of locking mechanism used. Therefore, it makes operational sense to provide a much smaller range of bin style. However, it should be noted that this strategy does not propose a one size fits all solution and recognises that certain areas may require specific bin styles to match the needs of that location. Much of the current bin asset now looks tired, are outdated and are disintegrating. The bins which are in poor repair are generally discoloured and quite heavily corroded especially around the aperture and base. There is an increased risk of injury when people are using bins which may have sharp edges resulting from corrosion but also, research has shown that litter bins are less likely to be used when they are in a state of disrepair or are unclean. Providing a much smaller range of bin styles would improve the current collection operation as staff would require a smaller range of keys, therefore increasing the speed of servicing. There are a range of large capacity bins commonly known as silo style bins which should be considered for country parks and other large open spaces. These cost more per unit to buy and to install but there are savings which arise from the less frequent servicing albeit a larger Hiab type vehicle is required. Furthermore, there is the opportunity to use these as collection points for litter arising from litter picking activity and smaller litter bins within designated areas. 4.0 Location Criteria There are no documented guidelines which provide information on suitable locations in which litter bins should be installed. In the past, litter bins have been installed in obvious places but also in response to requests received from members of the public or local businesses in a demand driven process. This has resulted in litter bins being installed randomly throughout the authority area, with no set criteria used in determining suitable locations. Locations where litter bins should be installed are listed below. • Outside main transport interchanges (train stations, bus shelters, car parks and taxi ranks) • Outside schools and colleges • Near fast food and convenience stores • Entrances and exits to parks and open spaces • Within North Lanarkshire’s three country parks • Outside public and government buildings (health centres, dental surgeries, libraries, churches etc) • At public seating areas • Open spaces/grassed areas where dog walking is likely to occur
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• Areas where people are likely to queue (public toilets, ATMs etc.) • Cemeteries and memorial gardens • Car parks
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5.0 Positioning New bins will only be installed in areas where it is anticipated that they will make a positive impact on street cleanliness and where the location is deemed appropriate with reference to the siting guidelines provided in this document in a movement away from the current demand driven installation process. As a general policy litter bins will not be provided in residential estates. Research highlights that bins provided in residential estates have higher instances of vandalism and misuse. The exception to this policy is where public grassed areas or parks are found within residential estates, where dog walking frequently occurs. In these locations dual litter bins should be installed to provide dog walkers with suitable facilities to dispose of dog waste to reduce fouling instances however it should be noted that this waste can be disposed of within the household waste bins and any litter bins provided would be placed at a location that can be serviced by a vehicle. Bins will also be installed in areas which do not currently have litter bins, but which match the criteria listed above. In all suitable locations an assessment should be undertaken to ensure the installation of litter bins would not cause access issues. Consideration must be given to those who have sight impairment so that the location of litter bins does not cause potential obstruction or hazard. Consideration must also be given to those who have mobility difficulties. Free standing litter bins could cause access problems in certain locations or even render some areas impassable. The Department for Transport’s Inclusive Mobility Guidelines recommend that the minimum clearance required on a footway is 1500mm with an absolute minimum clearance of 1000m past short obstructions such as bins. Free-standing bins should be positioned out of the main line of travel or grouped with existing street furniture so that they do not present a collision hazard or reduce the usable width of the footway for people using wheelchairs, mobility aids or guide dogs. These guidelines also provide information which is aimed to ensure the ease of use of litter bins by most of the public. These guidelines state that waste bins should be approximately 1300mm in height; they should continue down or close to ground level and should have no sharp edges. The bin opening should be 1000mm above ground level. They should be highly visible, including the use of coloured branding to increase visibility [2]. All bins purchased by North Lanarkshire Council should conform to the guidelines listed above and all locations where litter bins are provided should also adhere to the criteria listed above. Where the location assessment finds that installing bins would be in breach of the above guidelines, bins will not be installed. 6.0 Asset Management All new bins will have their installation date recorded along with other key information in the service management systems. This will allow a record to be kept of when each bin is due to be replaced according to the replacement timescale. No spare parts will be purchased for the litter bins. In cases where the bins are severely damaged and a bin refurbishment is not possible, a replacement bin will be sought. In areas where persistent vandalism occurs, damaged bins will be removed, and replacement bins should not be provided.
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7.0 Rationalisation/ Replacement It is necessary that the locations in which bins are currently provided are assessed and a process of bin rationalisation undertaken. The removal of one bin should not necessarily result in the replacement with a new free-standing bin. Bins should only be provided in areas which meet the criteria, advised in this document, and where they will have a positive impact on littering levels and street cleanliness. The aim of this is to move away from the current demand driven process which is unsustainable. Results from litter bin audits, have shown this approach to be an inefficient method of determining suitable locations for bins to be installed. Many of the current litter bins are under-used or simply not used at all. This represents a waste of resources and should be addressed by removing the litter bins from these locations. Although implementing the strategy suggests a reduction in total bin numbers of around 40% it is important to confirm that the purpose of the strategy is to focus the provision of litter bins at appropriate locations where they would impact on street cleanliness and the strategy should not be viewed as an asset reduction programme. That said if a 40% reduction is achieved this would see the number of street bins reduced from 4,771 to around 2,862. However, it is key to note that providing larger bins at more suitable locations would see a significant increase in capacity an asset with increased durability. 8.0 Approval Process The area in which a litter bin is requested or being considered for replacement must have an assessment undertaken. This requires that a site visit be conducted to assess whether there is an environmental need for a litter bin in the location requested. There are several factors which should be assessed during the site visit using the check list shown in appendix 1. • The litter bin location must match one of the location criteria listed • The area should have a known problem with litter/dog fouling evidenced by complaints/enquiries and where there are currently no bins provided nearby or the existing bins are overflowing on a regular basis • The bin would need to be expected to be well used to make it cost effective. If bins located nearby are not well used i.e. bin fill levels are low with high levels of littering present in the local area, installing another bin is unlikely to be effective in tackling the litter problem • Installing a bin must not cause an obstruction. The minimum acceptable clearance on the footway would be 1200mm • Bins should not be considered for installation in areas where nearby bins are frequently vandalised • If the bin/bins were installed, emptying/servicing must be possible without any significant change to the current collection programme • Bin proximity to property should be assessed. The installation of bins must not cause a nuisance to home or business owners. Complaints have arisen from members of the public due to bins being installed near their property
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Once an initial assessment has taken place and the result is favourable to the siting of a new or replacement bin an assessment of affordability will be made, and the bin demand will be added to the list of approved new or replacement bins. Each new or replacement bin will be prioritised using the table in appendix 2. North Lanarkshire has been zoned using the system from the Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse (Scotland) 2018. Within the Code of Practice zone 1 requires the quickest response times for the removal of litter and refuse and this time increases for each higher zone. It is therefore proposed to give the highest priority to bin requests in zone 1 with reducing priority for each subsequent zone. When a decision has been reached following a request the individual will be advised of the outcome. This will include reference to the litter bin strategy and the reasons for the decision. It is key to note that bins will only be supplied, installed, maintained, or emptied if they are located on land for which North Lanarkshire Council has responsibility. 9.0 Servicing and Inspection It is proposed that the litter bins will be serviced on a three-weekly cycle like the household waste bins. Bins within higher footfall areas such as Town Centres and Country Parks would be serviced twice weekly or an alternative appropriate frequency which would be determined through service data. Litter bins are subject to wear and tear and accidental or wilful damage. They are required to be adequately maintained to ensure the lifespan of each bin is maximised. Bins which are not adequately maintained will deteriorate quickly and will require refurbishment or full replacement at much more frequent intervals increasing costs. The routine maintenance activities include cleaning bins and greasing hinges with other repairs implemented as required. There is no established cleaning schedule for litter bins and it is proposed that a cleaning schedule be introduced to ensure they are kept in good condition. This is important as it will help to protect the bins and increase their lifespan. Furthermore, cleaning will ensure bins are kept in good aesthetic condition throughout the time they are in use since Keep Britain Tidy state that the cleanliness and condition of litter bins directly impacts on their use, as bins that are dirty or not in good condition can deter people from using them. During maintenance activity, bins will be inspected to record any damage or any other factor which may mean the bin would need to be replaced. Cleaning will involve pressure washing bins, using suitable detergent to remove any dirt, deposits or odour from the internal and external surfaces of both the body of the bin and the bin liner. It is proposed that each bin in town centre locations be cleaned and inspected four times per year. This is important not only for aesthetic reasons, but also to ensure there is no odour from bins. Other bins will be cleaned and inspected at least twice per year. Bins may also be cleaned out with these times when requested by staff or in response to requests for service. If a bin is found to be damaged following inspection, to the extent that it compromises the function of the bin or has significantly worn and is required to be replaced it will be considered in accordance with the assessment process. Following an assessment which decides to replace a damaged bin a refurbished or a new bin will be chosen on a case-by-case basis.
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13.0 Provision of Smart Technology Wireless sensors are available to fit inside bins which can determine the level of fill and communicate this information to a cloud-based web service. This information can then allow a reactive bin emptying service to be delivered. Over time the system can build up a picture of fill rates of individual bins and the service could be fine-tuned to a routine emptying plan. It would cost money to buy and fit sensors and run the software to receive and analyse the data. It is proposed to introduce sensors initially in locations where fill levels regularly exceed the servicing periods. As the cost of technology reduces there may be an opportunity to place sensors in all bins to achieve a smarter and more proactive servicing frequency. 14.0 Monitoring Impact To determine the success of this strategy it is important to provide some methods of measuring the impact to allow an effective review. The levels of littering present in North Lanarkshire are measured using the Local Environmental Audit and Management System (LEAMS) managed by Keep Scotland Beautiful (KSB). This system is based on auditing a sample of street lengths three times a year by trained staff who are accompanied on one of the audits by a member of KSB staff. The system generates the street cleanliness index (%age of sites deemed to be at an acceptable level) as well as other pertinent data. This data is available for past years and the cleanliness index is a required measure by the Local Government Benchmarking Scheme. This data would enable the direct comparison of street cleanliness pre and post implementation of the litter bin strategy. The number of street cleaning enquiries and complaints is available for past years and analysis of enquiries and complaints post implementation of the litter bin strategy would assist in determining the success of the strategy. Customer satisfaction surveys would also give an indication of the public view of the approach set out in this strategy. Auditing of the rationalised bin population in specific areas will also assist as well as measuring the lifetime of bins. 15.0 Partnership Working It is recognised that to maximising environmental improvements cannot be done by simply introducing a new litter bins strategy and this should only form one strand to the council’s approach. It is therefore essential that all relevant parties who can affect littering are involved in any wider litter strategy developed by the council. Internal partners include: • Waste Management Services for technical and operational aspects • Protective Services for matters of enforcement • Planning who shape the place through the development approval • Roads and Transportation who manage the road network • Education to encourage behavioural change at an early age • Corporate Communications who can assist in marketing and messaging
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External partners include: • Friends and Community groups who have interest in specific areas • Keep Scotland Beautiful for technical advice and support • Zero Waste Scotland for technical advice and funding • Community Boards to build local resilience and encourage local accountability and change
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Appendix 1 – Bin location check list Criterion Notes Location of the requested bin Does the area match at least one of the criteria set out for the siting of bins across the authority? Is there a known problem with litter/dog fouling in the area Are there any litter bins provided in the local area? What is the usage of these bins – are they overflowing? Width of pavement – would installing a litter bin cause an obstruction? (Absolute minimum clearance is 1200mm) Is there a history of vandalism of bins in the area? Can the bin be serviced without significant operational changes? Would the installation of a litter bin cause a nuisance to anyone? – e.g. householder/business owner Can the bin be serviced by a vehicle, adhering to all health and safety requirements?
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Appendix 2 - Prioritisation of Requests Location Priority Level Zone 1 6 Zone 2 5 Zone 3 4 Zone 4 3 Zone 5 2 Zone 6 1 The detailed definitions of each zone are given below (Information from the Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse (Scotland) 2018. Zone 1 - Areas subject to extremely high footfall and/or vehicular movement and/or very high number of potential litter sources. • Major city centres • Very busy visitor attractions • Areas in and around regular event locations • Primary commercial and retail areas in city centres • Major transport hubs • Land of designated educational institutions – schools, colleges, universities • Other land, including canal land**, roads of 40mph or less, waterways and embankments, railway land and track within 100 metres of a railway station platform end, all within and around these areas with equivalent footfall/vehicle movements Zone 2 - Areas subject to high footfall and/ or vehicular movement and/or high number of potential litter sources. • Small city centres and large town centres • High density residential areas mixed with retail premises • Popular visitor attractions • Primary commercial and retail areas in large towns/city suburbs • Large, heavily used industrial estates • Busy recreational land – beaches, parks, walks, cycle paths, canal land** etc. • Transport interchanges in busy public areas – car parks, bus stations, railways stations, ports, harbours, airports. • Land of designated educational institutions – schools, colleges, universities • Other land, roads of 40mph or less, waterways and embankments, railway land and track within 100 metres of a railway station platform end, all within and around these areas with equivalent footfall/vehicle movements
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Zone 3 - Areas subject to moderate footfall and/ or vehicular movement and/or a moderate number of potential litter sources. • Medium town centres • High density residential areas – predominately terraced, flatted, where more than 50% of the dwelling have no off road parking • Moderately used visitor attractions • Secondary retail, office and commercial areas • Moderately used Industrial estates and business parks • Moderately used recreation land – beaches, parks, walks, cycle paths, canals land** • Transport interchanges with moderate usage – car parks, bus stations, railway stations, ports, harbours • Land of designated educational institutions – schools, colleges, universities • Other land, roads of 40mph or less, waterways and embankments, railway land and track within 100 metres of a railway station platform end, all within and around these areas with equivalent footfall/vehicle movements Zone 4 - Areas subject to low footfall and/ or vehicular movement and/or low number of potential litter sources. • Small town/village centres • Moderate to Low density residential areas – 50% or more dwellings have off road parking • Suburbs of towns • Low use industrial estates, business parks • Low usage recreational land – beaches, parks, walks, cycle paths, canal land** • Transport interchanges with low usage – car parks, bus stations, railway stations, ports, harbours • Land of designated educational institutions – schools, colleges, universities • Other land, roads of 40mph or less, waterways and embankments, railway land and track within 100 metres of a railway station platform end, all within and around these areas with equivalent footfall/vehicle movements Zone 5 - Areas subject to very low/no footfall and/ or vehicular movement and/or few/no potential litter sources. • Land that is publicly accessible subject to infrequent or little use, includes remote beaches • Land of designated educational institutions – schools, colleges, universities • Other land including canal land**, roads of 40mph or less, waterways and embankments, railway land and track within 100 metres of a railway station platform end, all within and around these areas with equivalent footfall/vehicle movements
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Zone 6 - Roads over 40mph and Operational Railway Land. • Any road/above the 40mph speed limit including all surfaces within the road boundary. Operational railway land including the track, tracksides through to the fence line, excluding land and track within 100 metres of a railway station platform. Notes * the body that holds the duty/ies is responsible for allocating zones and updating these ** as detailed in the Litter (Statutory Undertakers) (Designation and Relevant Land) Order 1991