Item 13 - WDC Waste Strategy
West Dunbartonshire Council · 16 August 2023
Back to Infrastructure, Regeneration & Economic Development Committee — 16 August 2023 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL Report by Chief Officer - Roads & Neighbourhood Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development 16 August 2023 ___________________________________________________________________ Subject: Waste Strategy 1. Purpose 1.1 The purpose of this report is to seek approval from the Committee on a new Waste Strategy, which provides an overarching route map on how the Council intends to achieve our regulatory and legislative targets over the next 5 years. 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that the Committee approves the Waste Strategy and Action Plan attached in Appendix 2; 2.2 Notes that the Waste Service will develop funding bids for submission to the Recycling Improvement Fund; 2.3 Notes the options appraisal undertaken in partnership with Zero Waste Scotland to model a collection regime that improves recycling performance; 2.4 Notes the progress made in relation to the development and delivery of a Recycling, Resource and Reuse Centre to support compliance with the Landfill Tax Ban; and 2.5 Notes the progress on delivery of the actions set out in the Fit for the Future Waste Review. 3. Background 3.1 The Scottish Government have set out ambitious targets to achieve zero waste to landfill by December 2025, Waste Services have created a waste strategy that looks at the aims of the service and the key deliverables required to achieve the ambitious targets set out by the Scottish Government. 3.2 The Scottish Government places duties on all public bodies to contribute to waste reduction targets, deliver programmes to increase resilience, and to act in a more ‘Sustainable’ way. This Strategy will be underpinned by a suite of actions which will support delivery and allow for more effective reporting. 3.3 The Waste Strategy is broken down into sections which includes: • The creation of a Recycling, Resource and Reuse Centre; • The development of a Communications Strategy to engage and inform communities and businesses; ITEM 13
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• Route optimisation and operational efficiencies; and • Changes to our waste collection to increase recycling performance 4. Main Issues 4.1 The Council adopted the Climate Change Strategy in November 2020. One of the themes focused on waste and the circular economy. To contribute towards meeting the targets locally and nationally, the Council have developed a new ‘Waste Strategy’ (Appendix 2) as a route map to 2025 and beyond. Our vision is an overarching Strategy that will set the foundation for a plan of action and a response to changing legislation. 4.2 The Strategy aims to maximise the environmental, community and financial benefits from the waste the Council produce, which will also help the Council to comply with the statutory obligations, as set out in the Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012, which includes a ban on the landfilling of biodegradable waste by December 2025 (effectively this bans the landfilling of any recyclable waste collected by the Council), and working towards meeting the reuse and recycling targets set by the Scottish Government (70% recycling by 2025). 4.3 The Strategy looks at the following key principles. These are: • Mitigation - Contribute to reduction targets directly, and indirectly through wider functions such as waste reduction and improved recycling performance. • Adaptation - Deliver measures that reflect changing legislation and increase resilience • Sustainability - Consider social, economic and environmental impact of all activities, policy decisions and Strategy. 4.4 The overall themes of this Strategy are: • preventing waste at source • enhancing recycling services to maximise recycling as close to source as possible • maximising the value of the remaining waste • driving efficiencies across the service • engaging communities and ensuring services are fit for future The activities outlined will be subject to ongoing and regular review to ensure they achieve their sustainability objectives and continue to demonstrate best value. 4.5 Successful implementation of the Waste Strategy will require internal governance at both strategic and operational levels. To ensure that this Strategy is delivered effectively, a Waste strategy project board has been implemented involving senior management from each Council service area, ensuring shared responsibility.
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4.6 The Strategy and action plan will be monitored and reviewed annually and progress on actions will be updated with more numerical targets being added when developed. Every 5 years it will go through a full progress review and then an updated Strategy will be published as a result. 4.7 Waste services will be accountable for the delivery of the Strategy and the action plan. The project board group will measure progress and will ensure targets and objectives are being met. These will be measured annually through our internal performance system. 4.8 In order to determine the actions required to improve recycling performance Waste Services have worked in partnership with Zero Waste Scotland to model waste collections options. The options appraisal recommended a 3 weekly collection of residual waste with maintained or increased frequency of the collection of recycling material. 4.9 Operational service improvements have been delivered through the progressing of actions identified in the Fit for Future review for waste collection. The Route Optimisation will address the remaining actions and will be implemented in Autumn 2023 following communication and engagement with communities. These actions directly link to service efficiencies and improving our recycling rates and target reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill. 5. People Implications 5.1 There are no direct people implications arising from this report. 5.2 The indirect people implications include a requirement for Council wide engagement and uptake, with staff at all levels across all service areas, in order to mainstream Waste practices across the services delivered. 6. Financial and Procurement Implications 6.1 The Waste Strategy will support the implementation of the long term waste solution including the construction of the, operational efficiencies and improving recycling performance. 6.2 To deliver the actions set out in the Strategy procurement will be required of technical expertise for example the detailed design of the Recycling, Resource and Reuse Centre. 6.3 Delivery of the Strategy requires consideration of available funding sources, both internally and externally, to achieve targets and actions. Various types of funding for a range of projects and activities are currently available from the Scottish Government, in particular the Recycling Improvement Fund. This would ensure that the Council takes advantage of additional funding streams to support delivery of the actions.
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6.4 Consideration will be taken of the whole-life cost of the Strategy and action plans, with more emphasis placed on the long term savings made from reducing waste and efficiency improvements in waste collection. 7. Risk Analysis 7.1 All strategies are risk assessed in line with Council policy and procedures. 7.2 The Council has a duty to deliver services that demonstrate best value. 7.3 There is a risk that the Council is not compliant with the Landfill Tax Ban being introduced in December 2025 if procurement of a long term waste solution is not successful. 8. Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA) 8.1 The Waste Strategy is intended to work towards positive engagement with all equality groups and the wider community, via partnerships, empowerment and Engagement within and outside West Dunbartonshire. Screening and impact assessments will be carried out on the Strategy delivery as required. 9. Consultation 9.1 A public consultation on Waste was carried out via an online survey, receiving a total of 600 responses. The feedback has shaped the strategy and in particular the communications strategy. 9.2 The trade unions have been consulted and are members of the Waste Project Board. 10. Strategic Assessment 10.1 This report reflects the 2022 – 2027 Strategic Plan and in particular the following Strategic Priorities: • Our resources are used in an environmentally sustainable way • Our Council is adaptable and focused on delivering best value for our residents • Gail MacFarlane Chief Officer, Roads & Neighbourhood 22 July 2023 Person to Contact: Gail MacFarlane Chief Officer - Roads & Neighbourhood
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gail.macfarlane@west-dunbarton.gov.uk Appendices: Appendix 1 – Additional Information Appendix 2 – Waste Strategy Background Papers: Zero Waste Scotland - Options Appraisal Wards Affected: All Page 5
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Appendix 1 • Resource, Recovery & Recycling Centre • Additional equipment/vehicles • Resource Time (tight timescales) • Deposit Return Scheme • The statutory obligations, as set out in the Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012, • Ban on the landfilling of biodegradable waste by December 2025 (effectively this bans the landfilling of any recyclable waste collected by the Council), • Working towards meeting the reuse and recycling targets set by the Scottish Government (70% recycling by 2025). • Household Charter • 38% recycling rate • Collaboration with Zero Waste Scotland • Route options appraisal and modelling • Community Questionnaire • Resident engagement • Communications strategy to improve recycling performance • Service delivery improvements • Fit for the Future review • Location approval for the RRRC • Feasibility study Page 6
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• Consideration will be taken of the whole-life cost of the Strategy and action plans, • Emphasis placed on the long term savings made from reducing waste • Efficiency improvements in waste collection. • Waste Strategy delivers key drivers towards the delivery of the Climate Change Action Plan 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 How much waste is recycled WDC Recycling Rate % National Average % Page 7
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0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 30,000 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23 WDC Waste Waste Landfilled (Tonnes) Waste Recycled(Tonnes) Page 8