Item 13 - Appendices 1 and 2
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 Waste Strategy 2023 West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023-2028 ITEM 13 - APPENDIX 1
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Towards a Circular Economy
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 Foreword Councillor David McBride Convener of Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development I am pleased to introduce the Council’s new Waste Strategy 2023-2028, which sets out our short and long terms plans to manage waste, including a move away from use of landfill. Our waste service is currently responsible for 47% of the Council’s overall carbon footprint, and with the climate emergency at the forefront of everyone minds, this strategy demonstrates a clear plan of action to reduce its impacts, deliver on national targets and consider key steps we can take locally in the coming years. The strategy outlines our plans to build and strengthen existing work the Council has undertaken to address climate change, with focus on enhancing the range of opportunities to prevent waste at source; to encourage reuse where practical; to recycle waste if required; and to minimise landfill by extracting value from remaining mixed waste streams.
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 Significant work has already been undertaken as we work towards the Scottish Governments ambitious target of zero waste to landfill by 2025. The aim of this strategy is to complement and enhance those efforts by increasing access to recycling services; increasing the range of materials collected for recycling, and maximising resident participation in preventing waste, reusing and recycling. At its heart, this strategy demonstrates our commitment to Net Zero and the importance of the circular economy and by working together with residents, we will significantly reduce the impact our area has on the environment. . Councillor David McBride Convener of Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 Contents Section Heading Page 1 Glossary of terms 7 2 Executive summary 12 3 Introduction 17 4 Strategic objectives 27 5 Strategic enablers 28 6 Climate change & sustainability 30 7 Household recycling charter 31 8 Commercialisation 32 9 Challenges 35 10 Resource Recovery, Recycling Centre - Waste Transfer Station 42 11 Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) 43 12 Fit for the future review 44 13 Driving behavioural change 45 14 Performance 49
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 15 Communication 50 16 Key milestones 51 17 Measuring success 53 18 Conclusion 53 19 Action plan 2023-2028 54
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 1. Glossary of terms Biodegradable Municipal Waste (BMW): Biodegradable municipal waste is defined by Regulation 11(3) of the Landfill (Scotland) Regulations 2003 (as amended) as “municipal waste that is also biodegradable”. Biodegradable waste is “any waste capable of undergoing anaerobic or aerobic decomposition such as food, garden waste, and paper and cardboard”. Municipal waste is “waste from households as well as other waste which, because of its nature or composition is similar to waste from households”. Landfill (Scotland) Regulations 2003 Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012 SEPA Regulations Bring site: Recycling point where the public can deposit material for recycling, for example bottle and can banks. Carbon footprint: A carbon footprint is the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused by an individual, event, organization, service, place or product, expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e).[1] Greenhouse gases, including the carbon-containing gases carbon dioxide and methane, can be emitted through the burning of fossil fuels, land clearance and the production and consumption of food, manufactured goods, materials, wood, roads, buildings, transportation and other services https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_footprint Circular economy: A circular economy (also referred to as circularity and CE)[2] is "a model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible".[3] CE aims to tackle global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution by emphasizing the design-based implementation of the three base principles of the model. The three principles required for the transformation to a circular economy are: eliminating waste and pollution, circulating products and materials, and the regeneration of nature.
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 Household waste recycling centre: Site provided by the Local Authority free of charge to householders for the recycling of waste including bulky items such as furniture, white goods, and garden waste as well as other materials , free of charge. Traders can dispose of recycling at sites if they have purchased a permit. Climate change: Climate is the average weather in a place over many years. Climate change is a shift in those average conditions. The rapid climate change we are now seeing is caused by humans using oil, gas and coal for their homes, factories and transport. When these fossil fuels burn, they release greenhouse gases - mostly carbon dioxide (CO2). These gases trap the Sun's heat and cause the planet's temperature to rise. BBC Climate Change Commercial waste: Waste produced by any premises which are used wholly or mainly for trade, business, sport recreation or entertainment, excluding household and industrial waste. Composting: An aerobic, biological process in which organic wastes, such as garden and food waste, are converted into a stable granular material which can be applied to land to improve soil structure and enrich the nutrient content of the soil. Production UseRecycling
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 Efficient resource usage: means lower costs, lower wastage, improved efficiency, and a reduction on the impact on the environment and an effective transition to a Circular Economy. Energy from Waste (EfW): Technologies include anaerobic digestion, direct combustion (incineration with energy recovery), and use of secondary recovered fuel (an output from mechanical and biological treatment processes), pyrolysis and gasification. Any given technology is more beneficial if heat and electricity can be recovered. The Waste Framework Directive considers that where waste is used principally as a fuel or other means to generate electricity it is a recovery activity Provided it complies with certain criteria, which includes exceeding an energy efficiency threshold. Food waste: This term refers to the discarded food from households and trade premises e.g. vegetable peelings, tea bags and banana skins. Green waste: Biodegradable waste that can be composted such as garden or park waste, grass or flower cuttings and hedge trimmings. This is generally collected by Authorities and taken to a processor or disposed of at Household Waste recycling centres or composted at home. Industrial waste: Waste from any factory and from any premises occupied by an industry (excluding mines and quarries). Kerbside recycling monitoring: Collecting information to measure the public use of a kerbside recycling scheme and the effect of communication activities so that the Council can identify and engage with low or non-participating households. Landfill sites: Any areas of land in which waste is deposited. Landfill sites are often located in disused mines or quarries. In areas where they are limited or no ready-made voids, the practice of land raising is sometimes carried out, where waste is deposited above ground and the landscape is contoured around it. Low-participating and non-participating households: Any household that seldom recycles or does not recycle. Municipal waste: Includes household waste and any other wastes collected by a Waste Collection Authority (WCA), in this case the Council
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 Net zero: Net zero refers to achieving a balance between the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere. There are two different routes to achieving net zero, which work in tandem: reducing existing emissions and actively removing greenhouse gases. Recycling: Involves the reprocessing of wastes, either into the same product or a different one. Many non-hazardous industrial wastes such as paper, glass, cardboard, plastics and scrap metals can be recycled. Special wastes such as solvents can also be recycled by specialist companies, or via specialist in-house equipment. Reprocessor: A business that carries out one or more activities of recovery or recycling. Residual waste: Term used for waste that remains after recycling or composting material has been removed from the waste stream. Also known as refuse. Resource, Recovery Recycling Centre (RRRC): A waste facility used for the storage of material for onward recovery, reuse or recycling. The sites have a weighbridge for measuring the tonnage of material that enters and exits the site. Reuse: Using a product again for the same or different use. The Council: This refers to West Dunbartonshire Council and will be known as The Council. Treatment: Physical, thermal, chemical or biological processes, including sorting, that change the characteristics of the waste in order to reduce its volume or hazardous nature, facilitate its handling or enhance recovery. Waste Collection Authority (WCA): A Local Authority charged with the collection of waste from each household in its area on a regular basis. The Local Authority can also collect, if requested, commercial and industrial wastes from the private sector for a fee. Waste composition: information on the weight of materials that are in a given waste stream and usually involves obtaining samples of these waste streams and sorting them into pre-defined categories which are then weighed. Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE): Describes discarded electrical or electronic devices. The definition includes used electronics which are destined for reuse, resale, salvage, recycling, or disposal.
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 Waste reduction: Minimising the amount of material that enters the waste stream through actions such as reuse, reducing and product redesign. Zero waste: The definition of zero waste according to the Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA) is as follows: “Zero waste: The conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of products, packaging, and materials without burning and with no discharges to land, water, or air that threaten the environment or human health.”
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 2. Executive summary West Dunbartonshire Council is a Local Authority in the West of Scotland, sitting between Glasgow and the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park and often considered the gateway to the Scottish Highlands. With a population of just below 89,000 and an area of 68 sq. miles, West Dunbartonshire is a small Council both in terms of population and land coverage. However, despite its size, West Dunbartonshire boasts a diverse range of land uses, natural and built resources, and a mix of dense urban form, rugged moorland and spectacular watercourses. The Council is responsible for the provision of a range of services to its residents and citizens, which includes the collection of waste, recycling of material and disposal of waste.
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 In delivering these functions, the Council owns and operates a large built estate. Energy consumption from our buildings and operations is responsible for approximately 44% of our carbon footprint; 47% of our overall footprint results from the waste and recycling of West Dunbartonshire (both operational and domestic household waste); and 9% of the remaining emissions results from both Council and staff vehicles and the operation of other equipment, such as grass cutters. The Council also has responsibility to ensure it is delivering on Climate Change targets in line with Climate Change policy. In a drive towards a low carbon economy, the Scottish Government set world leading Climate Change targets to reduce Scotland’s carbon emissions by 80% by 2050, with an interim reduction of 42% by 2020. In 2014 this interim target was met and exceeded (45.8%), originally leading to a new target set for a reduction of 50% for 2020. These targets present Scotland with significant social and economic opportunities, as well as challenges, and required a range of actions across society and the economy. The Climate
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 Change (Scotland) Act 2009, which details these targets, is regarded as one of the most ambitious Climate Change legislation in the world. The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 places duties on all public bodies to contribute to emission reduction targets, deliver programmes to increase resilience against Climate Change and to act in a ‘Sustainable’ way. In Scotland’s latest climate plan - ‘Climate Change Plan: third report on proposals and policies 2018-2032 (RPP3)’, further expectations are placed on the public sector to increasingly demonstrate how its own operations are driving down emissions. RPP3 sets out the path to a low carbon economy while helping to deliver sustainable economic growth and secure the wider benefits to a greener, fairer and healthier Scotland in 2032. Since the publication of RPP3, a Climate Emergency has been announced by Scotland’s First Minister, followed by new national emissions reduction targets and the ‘Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019’ which details new emission reduction targets for Scotland nationally. These are: • 56% reduction by 2020 (replacing the original 50% target); • 75% reduction by 2030; • 90% reduction by 2040; and • ‘Net Zero’ emissions by 2045. West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC) Waste Strategy outlines our approach to delivering these targets and considers key challenges over the coming years. It looks at Climate Change and the impact it will have on our Services, our commitment to a Net Zero future, and the importance of a circular economy. This Strategy sets out a high level plan to manage waste in the coming years. It seeks to build on the work that has been carried out, to enhance the range of opportunities to prevent waste at source, to reuse where practicable, to recycle that which cannot be avoided, and to extract value from the remaining mixed waste stream so that the use of landfill is minimised. It sets out the Council’s aim to deliver a recycling, reuse or reduce rate of zero % to landfill by December 2025.
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 The strategy aims to consolidate the ongoing work already being carried out to: • Increase access to recycling services; • Increase the range of materials collected for recycling, and; • Monitor and maximise participation in waste prevention, reuse and recycling through behavioural change. Ultimately it aims to reduce the impact that West Dunbartonshire’s citizens and businesses have on the environment and support moves away from the use of landfill as the main route to manage waste. Waste Hierarchy - The Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012 and the Waste Management Licensing (Scotland) Regulations 2011, place a duty on all persons who produce, keep or manage waste, including Councils, to apply the waste hierarchy. To supplement this duty the Scottish Government has produced guidance on applying the Waste Hierarchy. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2012/148
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 The European waste hierarchy refers to the 5 steps included in the article 4 of the Waste Framework Directive: [6] Prevention - preventing and reducing waste generation. Reuse - and preparation for reuse giving the products a second life before they become waste. Recycle - any recovery operation by which waste materials are reprocessed into products, materials or substances whether for the original or other purposes. It includes composting and it does not include incineration. Recovery - some waste incineration based on a political non-scientific formula that upgrades the less inefficient incinerators. Disposal - processes to dispose of waste be it landfilling, incineration, pyrolysis, gasification and other finalist solutions. According to the Waste Framework Directive the European Waste Hierarchy is legally binding except in cases that may require specific waste streams to depart from the hierarchy. This should be justified on the basis of life-cycle thinking.
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 3. Introduction WDC carry out waste collection services to households on a fortnightly or weekly basis. WDC collects around 55,000 tonnes of waste annually, from 46,500 households and 800 commercial business customers. From this waste we recycle around 16,000 tonnes. Having peaked at a 49% recycling rate in 2016/17, West Dunbartonshire’s recycling rate was 43.4% in 2019/20 which is in line with the Scottish average. However, the Council has also noticed a signification increase in contamination levels. Recycling rates are currently 38% and reflect an impact from the pandemic and the stay at home messaging. A comparison exercise was carried out and identified the below findings; It is worth noting that the figures above include non-collection in April/May 20 (approx. 6 weeks) due to Covid19. 23,029 18,122 49,853 44,378 0 10000 20000 30000 40000 50000 60000 1016/17 2019/20 Household Waste collected V Recyclate Tonnage Recyclate
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 Household Waste Summery Data indicates that WDC produces 14% more waste per capita, than the Scottish average, however we only recycle 9% less. Which shows we actually recycle more than the average in Scotland. The contamination rate increased from 8.98% in 2016/17 to 17.49% in 2021, user engagement may have fallen since 2016/17, but there is significant evidence that recycling rates are on the rise again. Covid19 temporarily altered the way in which we processed our waste, but measures have been put in place to rectify any issues. Waste Services are now operating the preferred bin schedule and improvements are being realised. Changes in demographic, population and consumer behaviour influence on our service delivery and recycling rates have remained static at the Scottish average. The Strategy aims to improve on this target while delivering services at the best cost, ensuring they are fit for the future. We look to address service redesign, customer engagement and communication while working closer with our service providers. This document does not sit alone and forms a part of the Council’s Climate Change Strategy (CCS). WDC introduced a kerbside recycling service to households in 2005/06, and rolled out additional recycling services to all households in West Dunbartonshire between 2010 and 2016. Whilst the new services significantly increased the use of the recycling services by households, the recycling level plateaued and is now declining. To understand what is still being placed into non-recyclable waste bins by households, West Dunbartonshire Council undertook a detailed waste analysis of 320 householders’ non-recyclable (landfill) waste bins in 2016 and 2017. This research showed that if all recyclable materials were recycled effectively through the existing recycling services, West Dunbartonshire’s recycling rate could be at least 70%. The illustration below shows the type of materials (by weight) disposed of by residents in their non-recyclable waste bins in West Dunbartonshire.
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 UK recycling Statistics 2021 Food Waste, 20% Paper and Card, 14%, Glass, 10% Plastic Bottles, 6%Textiles, 4%Metals, 2% Non Recyclable, 44% OVER 50% OF WASTE COULD HAVE BEEN RECYCLED
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 “Waste composition” This Waste strategy covers but is not limited to the following waste collection and treatment requirements: the Council manages a wide range of waste items as listed below; Processing and treatment of various waste streams: a) Residual b) Municipal c) Street sweepings d) Inert (Soil & rubble) e) Wood f) Textiles & collection banks g) Bulk scrap metals & abandoned vehicles h) Bulk cardboard I) Glass, clear brown & green f) Tyres Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) a) Large domestic appliances b) Cooling equipment c) Display equipment d) Gas discharge lamps e) Other WEEE Organic Wastes a) Food b) Garden/green c) Co-mingled food & garden waste Mixed recyclate a) Mixed papers, news & periodicals and magazines (PAMs), b) Cardboard, plastic bottles & plastic c) Containers, beverage cartons and d) Metal cans and similar metal • including providing reception facilities (transfer stations) forward transport and haulage to the end destination for either reuse, recycling, Energy from Waste (EFW) and landfill; • Collection of waste; • Supply of sanitary bins and service disposal; • Supply of receptacles, bins, bags & skips for waste; • Skip service; • Property clearance & disposal; • Confidential waste processing & destruction;
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 WDC supports the Scottish Government’s ambition of moving towards a more circular economy where materials are viewed as a resource and that such resources are used efficiently. We aim to maximise the environmental, community and financial benefits from the waste we 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 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). Analysis of previous tonnages are detailed below; Household Waste versus Waste Recycled or Reused 2018-19 Total Council (Non-MSW & MSW arisings) MSW 1 Arisings (tonnes) MSW Landfilled (tonnes)2 MSW Diverted (Moisture Loss) NON MSW Diverted (Moisture Loss) MSW Refuse Derived Fuel Non MSW Recycled Non- MSW landfill Dry Recyclate (tonnes) Composted (tonnes) MSW Recycled/ Composted (tonnes)4 % MSW Recycled/ Composted Zero Waste % H.H MSW Recycled/ Composted Total's 51,860 46,093 22,624 4,044 300 505 0 5,415 12,983 5,937 18,920 41.0% 43.8% 2019-20 Total Council (Non-MSW & MSW arisings) MSW 1 Arisings (tonnes) MSW Landfilled (tonnes)2 MSW Diverted (Moisture Loss) NON MSW Diverted (Moisture Loss) MSW Refuse Derived Fuel Non MSW Recycled Non- MSW landfill Dry Recyclate (tonnes) Composted (tonnes) MSW Recycled/ Composted (tonnes)4 % MSW Recycled/ Composted Zero Waste % H.H MSW Recycled/ Composted Total's 52,131 44,378 21,631 3,763 292 862 0 7,374 12,009 6,113 18,122 40.8% 43.4% 2020-21 Total Council (Non-MSW & MSW arisings) MSW 1 Arisings (tonnes) MSW Landfilled (tonnes)2 MSW Diverted (Moisture Loss) NON MSW Diverted (Moisture Loss) MSW Refuse Derived Fuel Non MSW Recycled Non- MSW landfill Dry Recyclate (tonnes) Composted (tonnes) MSW Recycled/ Composted (tonnes)4 % MSW Recycled/ Composted Zero Waste % H.H MSW Recycled/ Composted Total's 55,301 48,290 26,427 4,724 232 780 0 6,764 10,245 6,113 16,358 33.9% 35.3% 2021-22 Total Council (Non-MSW MSW 1 Arisings (tonnes) MSW Landfilled (tonnes)2 MSW Diverted (Moisture Loss) NON MSW Diverted MSW Refuse Derived Fuel Non MSW Recycled Non- MSW landfill Dry Recyclate (tonnes) Composted (tonnes) MSW Recycled/ Composted (tonnes)4 % MSW Recycled/ Composted Zero Waste % H.H MSW
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 & MSW arisings) (Moisture Loss) Recycled/ Composted Total's 55,009 47,283 25,459 4,264 223 1,094 0 7,436 11,005 5,462 16,467 34.8% 36.7% There is scope to deliver service improvements through the actions identified in the Fit for Future review for refuse collection. These actions directly link to our recycling rates and will target improved capture rates and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill which will impact on landfill tax payable as well as moving us towards our Zero Waste Targets. Above all, the Council is committed to a Zero Waste Vision, which is in line with the Scottish Government’s objective to move away from waste as a problem to be managed, to an important source of resources. This strategy will be reviewed regularly to reflect changing circumstances, such as changes to the composition of the waste collected. It is proposed to review progress annually and to carry out more strategic reviews where appropriate, e.g. if new legislation or targets are introduced which would materially affect the Strategy. The “Science” The global climate is changing at a considerable rate. In the ‘State of the UK Climate 2019’ report, the Met Office detailed how since 1884, the 10 warmest years recorded have occurred since 2002, whereas the top 10 coldest years were recorded before 1970. In Scotland, climate averages between 2009 and 2018 compared to averages for 1981 and 2010 show that: Temperatures have increased by 0.3°C; and summers have been on average 11% wetter and winters 5% wetter. Please refer to the Climate Change strategy for further information; Climate Change Strategy
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 The “Policy” Scotland’s waste regulations have changed for all organisations, whether private public or voluntary. Since 1 January 2014, the Waste (Scotland) Regulations have been in force. The Waste (Scotland) Regulations require that any and all organisations in Scotland present the following materials for recycling: • Glass (including drinks bottles & rinsed empty food jars); • Metal (including cans, tins); • Plastic (including, drinks bottles & rinsed empty food containers); • Paper; • Cardboard; • Most urban food businesses will need to present food waste separately for collection The Council has a duty to protect the environment and ensure that residents in West Dunbartonshire have waste and recycling collected and treated in accordance with the relevant legislation and the waste hierarchy of, prevention, reuse, recycle, recover value & disposal. The Zero Waste Plan Scotland's Zero Waste Plan sets out the Scottish Government's vision for a zero waste society where waste is kept to a minimum and is seen as a valuable resource. West Dunbartonshire Council aims to prevent waste from being created and we encourage the reuse and recycle of goods and materials as much as possible. The Scottish Government have set recycling targets that every council needs to meet. By 2013 we needed to recycle 50% of our waste and by 2025 we need to recycle 70% and be sending only 5% of our waste to landfill sites.
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 Recycling saves natural resources and energy When we recycle used materials, they are turned into new products which reduce the need to use more natural resources. If we don't recycle, we use up more and more raw materials from the Earth, through mining and forestry, which also uses up more energy. So recycling protects natural habitats for the future and cuts down on our energy use. Recycling helps protect the environment When we use fewer natural resources we also reduce air and water pollution from processes such as mining, quarrying and logging. Also as recycling uses less energy then it also reduces greenhouse gas emissions which helps to tackle climate change. Recycling in the UK at the moment saves around 18 million tonnes of C02 a year which is the same as taking 5 million cars off the road. When waste breaks down at landfill sites it produces greenhouse gases so less waste sent to landfill also helps tackle climate change. Find out more at Zero Waste Scotland. (WDC Internet page) Waste management is underpinned by a number of National policy’s as detailed below; Waste & Circular Economy • Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009. • Climate Change (Duties of Public Bodies: Reporting Requirements) (Scotland) Order 2015. • Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019’. • Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012. • Scotland’s Zero Waste Plan 2010. • Making Things Last - A Circular Economy Strategy for Scotland • The Deposit and Return Scheme for Scotland Regulations 2020. Although waste can be a valuable asset to the local and national economy, some materials are traded globally and can be impacted on policies and drivers implemented by other countries, e.g. China Green Fence
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 Waste as a resource Efficient resource usage or resource efficiency means lower costs, lower wastage, improved efficiency, a reduced impact on the environment and an effective transition to a Circular Economy. The European Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC) came into force on 12 December 2010 with the aim of turning EU member states into “recycling societies”. The Directive shifts the focus away from waste as an unwanted burden towards being a valued resource, which can provide opportunities for sustainable growth in a low carbon economy. “Financial case” We aim to ensure that Council properties, facilities and assets are properly managed and maintained and that the non-housing, operational buildings under our control comply with the appropriate statutory regulatory and corporate standards. Market conditions within the waste industry are often unpredictable in nature due to market volatility. The Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012 have also had a significant impact within this commodity area, as Councils have a statutory obligation to collect, handle and dispose of such material in a legal and environmentally compliant way and must navigate any change as and when it occurs in particular with the ban on biodegradable municipal waste (BMW) going to landfill from 31 December 2025. Both public bodies and suppliers have to look for alternative solutions to continue to manage waste as a resource as opposed to just sending it to landfill. WDC believes that our customers deserve the best value services. We aim to deliver this by route optimisation and redesigning our services. These will help reduce waste sent to landfill, and ensure our services are financially viable. WDC will use the current financial drivers to build the business case for diverting waste from landfill in order to meet our statutory obligations and contribute to our climate change priorities. Landfill Tax is increasing per year, and will reach £98 per tonne by 2022/23. This strategy is the start of an exciting journey which will see a significant improvement to ways in which we manage waste in future years.
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 These changes are underpinned by the following: *Delivering improved, fit for the future services to our customers *Reducing, reusing and recycling resources over residual disposal *Infrastructure improvements to our depot and waste facilities *Vehicle optimisation and smarter, energy efficient fleets *Engagement, communication and customer focus These changes will DRIVE, the improvements for future of Waste Services in West Dunbartonshire Council. D R IV E
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 4. Strategic objectives The Waste Strategy sets the strategic direction and the objectives for waste management in West Dunbartonshire and will operate as a road map for achieving these objectives. The Waste Strategy has been set to deliver the following FIVE objectives: Objective 1: Support the move towards a more circular economy and journey towards net zero 2045 West Dunbartonshire Council supports the Scottish Government’s ambition to move towards a more circular economy, where waste materials are considered as a resource and such resources are used efficiently. We will play our role in creating a more circular economy by promoting waste prevention and enabling materials that are being discarded by householders to be used as a resource again, through providing services that maximise opportunities for reuse and recycling of materials, and recovering energy from the remainder. Scottish Government, 2016: Making Things Last - A Circular Economy Strategy for Scotland. https://www.gov.scot/publications/making-things-last-circular-economy-strategy-scotland Objective 2: Provide a cost-effective service We will provide an efficient waste service which will maximise reuse and recycling whilst minimising the cost to residents. This approach will provide a cost-effective solution delivering environmental and local benefits without increasing cost. Objective 3: Meet statutory obligations We will meet our statutory obligations in line with our duties as a Local Authority, including complying with the statutory requirements set out in the Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012 which bans the landfilling of biodegradable waste by 2025.
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 Objective 4: Provide a responsive and quality driven waste service for West Dunbartonshire Our services will be delivered to households in a safe consistent and responsive manner. We aim to ensure that our customers are at the centre of the services we deliver supporting them to minimise, reuse and recycle their household waste. Infrastructure improvements to our household recycling centres and brings sites along with the development of a state of the art RRRC will ensure that householders have access to facilities which again maximise the resource benefits. Objective 5: Reduce carbon emissions to net zero We will ensure the services we provide are resource efficient in terms of the vehicles we use, the fuel the vehicles use, and the reuse, recycling and recovery options we procure to achieve net zero emissions where feasible. 5. Strategic enablers Some changes are required to ensure West Dunbartonshire meets these strategic objectives. Deliverable 1: Maximise the quality and value of recyclate collected We will continue working with householders to ensure they are aware of which materials can be reused and recycled and how these materials need to be prepared. This will help maximise the quality and value of the reusable items and recyclate collected. We will put in place an effective communications and engagement strategy, and provide household specific advice through a home visiting service provided by our Community Waste Officers. Deliverable 2: Cost effective services In order to ensure Cost Effective services, we must procure both well and sustainably. We identify best fit service for our housing stock while looking for improvements through routing efficiencies and service redesign. Our current projects include the completion of our depot rationalisation project and the development of our RRRC. During the term of the Strategy the Council will move from residual landfill to process technology which limits landfill to less than 5%
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 Deliverable 3: Statutory obligations Waste Services are committed to our statutory obligations, we actively take part in consultation with service users and our strategic partners and contribute to the development of regulations and codes of practice. We are a signatory to the Waste Charter and our senior officers are members of the Waste Managers Network. We take these responsibility seriously and use our knowledge and experience to ensure our services are designed to meet emerging regulations. All this would not be possible without effective engagement with our stakeholders including ZWS & SEPA. Deliverable 4: Improve infrastructure and collection facilities Waste Services have reviewed the current infrastructure and have identified a number of improvements. These include the creation of a Recycling Resource and Reuse Centre to facilitate the management of our waste within the local area and improve our operational delivery of services. We will look to make improvements to our CA site; layouts, options and design, with assistance from Zero Waste Scotland and Recycling Improvement Fund. Service redesign will maximise benefits while ensuring our fleet is high quality and reliable, our bins and containers are suitable and fit for purpose, and that we offer support to our citizens. Deliverable 5: Reduce waste to landfill, maximise recycling and contribute to Net Zero The creation of the Recycling Resource and Reuse Centre will allow WDC to manage waste in a manner that can be presented to waste processors, diverting waste from landfill by reusing, recycling or diversion. . With the assistance of the Councils procurement and communication services, we are collaborating with partners and service providers, to create a road map to the future. This will involve consultation with customers and an education and awareness raising programme which will deliver effective recycling and waste management tools and guidelines. Reducing the non-recyclable waste capacity available is a key component of West Dunbartonshire’s waste strategy to encourage householders to make better use of the recycling services available to them. Accordingly, we have worked in partnership with Zero Waste Scotland to model waste collection options. The recommended collection option is a 3-weekly cycle to improve recycling rates, with the non-recyclable waste bin emptied once and the recycling bin twice every 3 weeks. There would be no reduction in services; the number of collections households receive now will remain the same but with a greater emphasis on collecting recyclable material.
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 6. Climate change & sustainability Growing economic demand negatively impacts our environment, the use of finite resources such as fossil fuels is not sustainable long term. Demand leads to waste generation and the impacts of this are felt in the natural and built environment impacting on biodiversity and habitats. Through the Circular Economy and by ‘reducing’ what we consume and buy, ‘reusing’ what is already produced to avoid landfill and ‘recycling’ what we cannot reuse is vital in helping our environment. Taking a sustainable approach to what we see as ‘waste’, and reconfiguring it in a way that it can be considered a ‘resource’, is part of what needs to be done to ensure we are achieving net zero emissions by 2045, and helping our global environment. Climate Change Strategy & Action Plan The Council’s Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan include a range of key programme themes on Climate Change, a significant theme being ‘Waste & Circular Economy’. Therefore, the Council has promised to take action to manage waste sustainably by reducing, reusing, recycling and recovering waste to improve resource efficiency whilst working towards a circular economy. According to Zero Waste Scotland, a circular economy “is part of the solution to our global climate emergency - one in which products, services and systems are designed to maximise their value and minimise waste. It’s an all-encompassing approach to life and business, where everything has value and nothing is wasted. In simple terms, it can be explained as ‘make, use, remake’ as opposed to ‘make, use, dispose’. “ For the Council to avoid waste and move towards a circular economy, we must make efforts to develop a new corporate waste management, reduction, reuse and recycling plan detailing corporate standards, targets and staff guidance for our waste activities, including improving infrastructure. This will establish true costs of waste disposal and assigning responsibility to services through transparent accounting. Action will be taken on waste from domestic households, researching ways to transition to a zero waste and circular economy by supporting national efforts, and in developing this Waste Strategy for West Dunbartonshire. Waste makes up around 47% of our Council emissions (45% from household waste and 2% from our own operational waste) so making efforts to reduce our environmental impacts by shifting towards circular waste practices will make a considerable reduction in emissions to achieve net zero.
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 Circular Economy A circular economy (also referred to as "circularity") is "a model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible" that aims at tackling global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution. According to Zero Waste Scotland, a circular economy is part of the solution to our global climate emergency - one in which products, services and systems are designed to maximise their value and minimise waste. It’s an all-encompassing approach to life and business, where everything has value and nothing is wasted. In simple terms, it can be explained as 'make, use, remake' as opposed to 'make, use, dispose'. Resource Efficiency Is about using the resources we have in the most effective and efficient manner. The European Environment Agency (EEA) defines it as "more welfare from less nature". Natural resources underpin the functioning of the economy and our quality of life... Human survival depends on the sustainable use of earth’s resources, and must learn to give back or help restore what we destroy. We want to make sure we are making the most effective uses of resources across the Council. 7. Household Recycling Charter The Scottish Government and Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) have agreed a Household Recycling Charter that aims to bring more consistency to recycling services. The Charter and associated Code of Practice was agreed by COSLA Leaders on 28th November 2015. West Dunbartonshire Council became signatories to the charter in 2018. This Charter is a declaration of a Councils intent to provide services that deliver local and national benefits, encouraging high-levels of citizen participation in waste prevention, recycling and reuse. Signatories commit: • To improve our household waste and recycling services to maximise the capture of, and improve the quality of, resources from the waste stream, recognising the variations in household types and geography to endeavour that our services meet the needs of all our citizens;
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 • To encourage our citizens to participate in our recycling and reuse services to ensure that they are fully utilised; • To operate our services so that our staff are safe, competent and treated fairly with the skills required to deliver effective and efficient resource management on behalf of our communities; • To develop, agree, implement and review a Code of Practice that enshrines the current best practice to deliver cost effective and high- performing recycling services and tell all of our citizens and community partners about both this Charter and the Code of Practice; 8. Commercialisation Commercialisation is the process of bringing new products or services to the market. The broader act of commercialisation entails production, distribution, marketing, sales, customer support and other key functions critical to achieving the commercial success of the new product or service we aim to provide. West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Services, will look to maximise commercial benefits where practical, based on best value and service delivery. For example, we will look at the advantages of both internal and external provisions and the implications this would have on our service provision. Many options will be reviewed and considered, including the development of the Recycling, Resource and Reuse Centre, that could be used by local and commercial organisations. Ultimately WDC needs to consider commercialisation whenever feasible. Waste Services have also considered the following option to shape our service going forward; Waste processing & treatment – including reception, haulage & treatment approaches.
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 Make - Benefits Buy - Benefits Cost considerations: • Fixed long term budgetary control. • Possibility of income generation through electricity produced for the grid. • Possibility of income through service provision to other Councils or commercial operators. • Possibility of reduced costs. • In-house local employment opportunities. • Large capital investment required for sorting, haulage & treatment (EfW) put in place by the contractor/supply chain. • Cost of specialised technical expertise provided. • Regulatory & licensing requirements provided. Productive use of excess capacity: • Make available to other Councils or commercial operators. Note: to make in-house viable additional tonnage may be required to fund operations and return on capital. • Market flexibility to meet demands as and when required. • Multiple providers available to fulfil service needs. Expertise: • Local Council knowledge relative to waste collections and profile of the Council. • Specialised technical expertise provided as and when required. • Providers willing and able to meet new innovation needs. • Availability of competent providers. Quality control: • Direct managerial control considerations. • Service and response levels with local control. • Skilled and competent providers with relative Quality Assurance processes. • Responsibility of the contractor.
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 Make - Benefits Buy - Benefits Reliability: • The service objective is to provide consistent waste and recycling services, to our residents and businesses. • Core business objective of providers is to process and make profit, so reliability is critical or contingencies put in place. Desire to maintain a stable workforce: • Desire to create a sustainable workforce, or to tackle issues in relation to successions planning, and business continuity, • Providers will have sufficient throughput of material to maintain a stable workforce. Specialised know-how: Technological • Reception and haulage would be within the Council know how and expertise. • Operating a MRF would be achievable, but operating an EfW or treatment facility would be limited and would need to be sourced. • Provider’s research and specialised know-how far exceeds that of the Council. • Willingness of Providers to gain specialised know-how to gain competitive advantage. Political, social or environmental reasons: • Willingness to improve recycling and waste reduction to reduce environmental impacts. • No capital programme to establish. • Allows the Council to focus on people and resources in core competencies, collection of waste. Procurement considerations: • Extensive resource, planning and time to put in place infrastructure and migrate the contract areas to in-house solutions. • Multiple procurements required to support the delivery in house delivery. • Procurement planning- documentation and identifying potential sources • Time and costs to tender and evaluation • Contract management & administration of the Providers and relationships There would be a large long term capital investment, site identification, acquisition, planning and licencing required to put in place the full solution of reception, haulage and treatment (MRF, EfW, & or treatment sites).
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 9. Challenges The Council’s challenge is to build on the success of what has been delivered to date, to minimise the use of landfill, and to maximise the prevention of waste at source, encourage reuse, and expand recycling. However, it must ensure that in doing so it remains able to meet the needs of a diverse range of stakeholders and offers value for money services. There are a range of factors which act at a local level to impact on the recycling rate, the amount of waste produced and ways in which an individual authority needs to meet its targets. In particular West Dunbartonshire’s social, demographic and geographic factors such as income, size of family and age will affect the types of waste produced by individual households, and how much of that is recyclable. Some parts of West Dunbartonshire’s population are highly mobile and this presents challenges in terms of communication and engaging communities. It is more challenging to communicate with large numbers of residents in high density areas and to provide a kerbside collection service for people living in blocks of flats. West Dunbartonshire is a place where people live, as well as work, and a World Heritage Site. This presents particular challenges both in terms of balancing the competing priorities of the different stakeholders and in terms of providing a comprehensive recycling service. The frequencies of the various collection systems and the capacities of the different containers play a part in the design of services delivered to householders. There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach, but the overall aim is to provide recycling facilities for as wide a range of materials as possible to the maximum number of households. The Council has already worked hard to develop tailored solutions to meet these challenges, e.g. by introducing a tenement recycling service. There are ongoing uncertainties around the volume and weight of waste arising that the Council will handle in the coming years. These will be affected by actions taken by retailers, Government interventions (such as the deposit return scheme) and individuals to reduce their own waste quantities, competition for the trade waste service, the economic impact following the pandemic, and the impact of new recycling schemes. Not all of these are directly under the control of the Council but they will certainly impact on the performance of the schemes the Council offers, and must be regularly reviewed.
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 A number of external factors will impact on the choices made by both the Council and the people of West Dunbartonshire, in moving towards a more sustainable Waste Management service. Household growth is uncertain within West Dunbartonshire, after a dip in previous years, and as a result of the economic slowdown. Retailer decisions DRS & other initiatives Residents reducing waste Trade waste services Competition
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 West Dunbartonshire Council - Statistics 2019 Indicator Period West Dunbartonshire Scotland Population 2020 88,340 5,466,000 Births 2019 845 49,863 Net Migration 2020 -205 16,882 Number of households 2020 43,164 2,507,625 The average household size in WDC, has consistently been 2, and our recent recycling survey identified that 40% of respondents fell into this category. With an aging population and 17.38% of households either elderly or retired, this could indicate a potential population decline and a change in demographic, which will in turn will affect the waste generated, collected and recycled within our area.
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 16 - 24 0% 25 - 34 11% 35 - 44 21% 45 - 54 21% 55 - 64 25% 65 - 74 17% 75 and over 5% Age Range 16 - 24 25 - 34 35 - 44 45 - 54 55 - 64 65 - 74 75 and over
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 Under 16 0% 16 – 24 0% 25 – 34 10.55% 35 – 44 21.29% 45 – 54 21.29% 55 - 64 25.00% 65 – 74 17.38% 75 and over 4.69% Currently 99% of citizens confirmed that they recycled, with 88% of people 65-74 stating they recycle daily. 97% said it was very important to re-use but 41% of those over the age of 65 were most likely to ‘never’ buy second hand, this is over double the percentage for all other age groups. The top 4 places to buy second hand goods were • Charity shops 70% • EBay 47% • Facebook 43% • Gumtree 32% Three of the top four are available online, which may be an indication that this is not a preferred method for this group of citizens. We must communicate with our service users in a suitable, user friendly manner, to ensure they receive a consistent message. Electronic communication may not be the best fit, and alternatives must be considered to reach the most vulnerable.
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 Average household size Household size 2016 2.09 Household size 2017 2.08 Household size 2018 2.06 Household size 2019 2.05 Household Size 2020 2.03 Planning ahead to understand not only what we have to do but also how we will do it is an essential step to help us overcome these challenges. The people who live in, work in and visit West Dunbartonshire contribute to the production of the Council’s waste. The Council is then responsible for collecting and processing this waste, while encouraging responsible behaviour while visiting WDC. This can prove challenging and measuring are being developed, to educate our community and visitors, to contribute to a more sustainable environment. West Dunbartonshire Council delivers its waste collection and disposal duties though Waste Services. Our team, based at Richmond Street Depot and other locations across West Dunbartonshire, provides waste minimisation initiatives, recycling services, refuse collection and disposal, as well as a number of dedicated support services to the city’s Neighbourhood Areas including graffiti removal, chewing gum removal and litter bin siting services.
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 Key challenges • Waste composition constantly changing; • The deposit return scheme impacts of composition of waste; • Timescales – the immediate infrastructure requirement at local level, waste storage issues at short notice; • Feedstock is critical; gasification is more sensitive to feedstock than incineration; • Ash material recognised as recycling to aggregate; • Change in legislation or taxation; • BREXIT and export of RDF. • Waste Upholstered Domestic Seating (WUDS) containing Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and the impact it has on collection, processing along with contractors and costs. Risk to Councils Key risks identified for the Councils • Lack of capacity in Scotland to comply with December 2025 Landfill ban; • Additional costs for Recycling, Resource / haulage/ and processing; • Reduced market competition allowing processors to inflate their costs; • Waste needing to be pre-treated as only RDF can be exported; • Potential requirement to send waste elsewhere in the UK or exported and the carbon miles and environmental impact i.e. carbon footprint. • Waste Upholstered Domestic Seating (WUDS) containing Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and the impact it has on collection, processing along with contractors and costs.
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 10. Resource, Recovery Recycling Centre (RRRC) (Waste Transfer Station) The Council is looking to develop a longer term solution to procure residual waste services to meet the legal obligation to reduce landfilling of 95% of Biodegradable Municipal Waste (BMW) from 31st December 2025. A major constraint identified was the absence of waste transfer infrastructure within WDC. Following market testing and review of service delivery it has been determined that a Recycling Resource and Reuse Centre is required. A feasibility study has been undertaken which provided additional evidence, scale of development and indicative costs. An extensive feasibility report, detailing the scale of a transfer station, has been completed. Indicative delivery costs have been provided and reflect the current economic costs and the market condition. This will be reviewed during detailed design stage and presented for consideration and approval. The following activities are undertaken or ongoing: • Detailed site studies identifying a preferred location to develop a RRRC; • Detailed design; • Development of a detailed costed proposal to construct and operate the RRRC; • Development and submission of funding bid to Recycling Improvement Fund in liaison with Zero Waste Scotland to part or fully fund delivery of project. This will align with the forthcoming Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), whereby some target materials (plastic and metal drinks containers) for example will be significantly reduced from the waste stream. Estimates of around 3,000 tonnes have been modelled by Zero Waste Scotland as a reduction. We currently collect 5,000/tonnes per annum. Such a reduction will allow the service to review collection methodologies, and potentially segregate valuable resources which could generate an income. This fits with the governments Circular Economy agenda, the Household Waste Charter and Code of Practice on Household Recycling in Scotland. As part of the wider Resource Recovery, recycling - Waste Transfer Station project, we will look at opportunities to redesign our service provision. We aim to achieve efficiencies through analysis of waste composition and this will support presenting various waste streams to our waste processors. A newly built site could also accommodate Mixed Recyclate, currently outsourced.
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 11. Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) The Scottish Government has committed to introduce in Scotland a deposit return scheme for drinks containers. Scotland’s DRS has been designed to make it easy for us all to do the right thing. People pay a small deposit of 20p when they buy a drink in a single-use container and then get the deposit back when they return the empty bottle or can. As part of our recycling system it will be available across all of Scotland from October 2025, and will make it easier for everyone to recycle their used bottles and cans, including all drinks sold in PET plastic, metal and glass. The benefits of the Deposit Returns Schemes is they are already established in many countries where they are helping to tackle climate change and reduce litter. Scotland is joining them, with a scheme designed to meet our unique needs, to tackle our throwaway culture and help protect our environment for generations to come. The scheme has been designed to work for everyone in Scotland. It will improve recycling rates, increase the quality of recycling materials, and significantly reduce litter. WDC expect to see a decrease, in our recycling and residual waste tonnages due to the scheme, this will support our aim to achieve Net Zero within the required timescales. • 20p - deposit on drinks containers • 17,000+ - return points nationwide • 70+% - of Scots want a Deposit Return Scheme • 90% - of containers included in the scheme will be captured for recycling • 34,000 - fewer plastic bottles littered every day • £62million - a year could be saved tackling the indirect impacts of litter • 76,000 - additional tonnes recycled each year 4million - tonnes of CO2 emissions will be cut over 25 years - DRS
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 12. Fit for the future review While this Strategy outlines our direction of travel and key priorities, it is important that in delivering on this Strategy we do so in a customer focused, effective, efficient and value for money way. A Fit for Future review was undertaken in Waste Services in 2020/21. This was a collaborative approach between Waste Services, the People & Technology team and Citizen Services Fit for Future reviews analyse existing data, connect with our citizens through existing customer experience data, user experience sessions and service design to help inform our Service and mould customer focussed services. The focus for the Fit for Future review included: • Our special uplifts service • Missed bins reporting • Assisted bin pull-out service • Replacement and additional bins purchase • Recycling The Waste service is committed to the implementation of recommendations that lead to more effective, efficient, value for money service that best meets the needs and expectations of our citizens. As a service, we are forward looking and use the Fit for Future review to inform our service decisions. In this way, the Fit for Future review helped us to deliver services on a day-to-day basis as well as supporting the achievement of our strategic goals. We shall work to implement recommendations from the review and, in doing so, continuously improve the services we deliver for the citizens of West Dunbartonshire. Information about our Services As part of the review, we considered the quality of information we provide across various communication channels and continue to work to improve this information and the ease of access to our Service.
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 We aim to improve the opportunity for citizens to get information, communicate with us and arrange services through the internet and, in doing so, to offer citizens 24/7 access to information and carry out transactions with us. Infrastructure and systems In addition, the review considered ways in which our ICT and employee systems could support colleagues in providing the highest level of service possible to our citizens. We will continue to look at ways in which technology can allow us to make best use of resources and deliver excellent services to our citizens. 13.Driving behavioural change If West Dunbartonshire is to meet the recycling targets set down for 2025, what we collect for recycling, collection frequencies and broader participation in waste initiatives will need to be reviewed. This will mean collections of more recyclable materials, reducing the amount of waste being sent to landfill or for other treatments, developing participation in waste initiatives while minimising the cost of the overall service to meet the challenges of Council savings targets. Education, community engagement and communication are key to this additionally the Council’s existing environmental campaigns will be refreshed. The Council already seeks to engage and educate residents about what happens to their waste, and how they can help to reduce its environmental and financial impact. We will develop a Community Action programme to support local initiatives to reduce waste, reuse and recycle materials. We will work closely with a range of organisations, both locally and nationally, to drive home the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle message and make all parts of it relevant to our citizens. Tailored communication programmes and initiatives will continue to be used to encourage use of waste prevention techniques, as well as services to reuse or recycle waste which cannot be avoided. These may involve working with other stakeholders to maximise participation in the services provided, while incentive schemes will be developed to ‘reward’ the desired behaviour. These will build on the current, more traditional, methods of engaging communities, e.g. by attending community events.
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 The refuse analysis carried out on behalf of WDC has shown the wide variations in recycling activity which can take place among different materials. For example, the services offered to recycle paper and cardboard have equal coverage, yet 73% of newspapers and magazines are collected for recycling compared with just 28% of cardboard. Approximately 29% of the remaining mixed household waste consists of items which could have been recycled. Our priority is to offers citizens a range of services which makes optimising the use of the recycling facilities the obvious choice. Waste services are in the process of purchasing two new compactors, for the collection of cardboard at our household recycling centres. Our current facility does not offer the opportunity to store larger volumes, and therefore there is a risk that, additional waste will be placed in the general waste compactors. This purchase could increase our cardboard recycling figure from 28% (£17,000pa) to potentially 35% (£21,250pa) with the additional 7% going towards income for WDC. Waste Services, carried out a recycling survey in March 2022, which received over 600 responses and identified the top four reasons why our residents recycle, and the top four barriers to recycling;
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 , 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% Helps reduce landfill It's the right thing to do Helps towards tackling climate change The impact that it has on our future The four top reasons for recycling The four top reasons for recycling
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 A communication strategy will be developed to combat issues, and provide a better understanding of our recycling strategy, and forward plan, going forward, the opportunities to recycle will become wider and more convenient, and the capacity provided for recycling will increase. This will also be developed online, as part of our digital marketing campaign. Reducing this capacity provides an incentive to maximise use of the recycling collections, while discouraging the financial and environmental waste associated with landfill. Nationwide many Councils now collect mixed waste every two weeks, and the evidence is that it is an effective and workable system which encourages recycling. 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% Scepticism as to whether items are actually recycled Not enough bins provided I don’t like having to transport items for recycing I don’t have enough space The four top barriers to recycling The four top barriers to recycling
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 14. Performance Local Government Benchmarking Framework - How well are we performing? The Local Government Benchmarking Framework (LGBF) provides evidence of trends in how councils allocate resources, the performance of key council services and levels of public satisfaction with the major services provided and commissioned by councils. The rich data supports evidence-based comparisons between similar councils and over time, providing an essential tool for policy makers and the public. This year’s report introduces data from 2020/21 and provides an evidence-based picture of the impact of the first year of COVID-19 on Local Government services and the lives of the communities it serves. The continuity provided by the LGBF will provide vital intelligence to assist the sector to learn lessons from its response and to strengthen and redesign services around future policy priorities to support recovery and renewal. It will also be critical in helping to track progress against the National Performance Framework (NPF) and in continuing to monitor the role Local Government plays in improving the outcomes in the NPF. The evidence in this year’s LGBF highlights the extraordinary effort and achievements delivered across Local Government during this exceptional period. The workforce has adapted quickly to meet new demands, maintain essential services and implement new ways of working. It will be vital to retain and build on the positive and innovative service and structural redesign which has emerged in response to the pandemic. Full 2020/21 LGBF Overview Report West Dunbartonshire’s current recycling rate appears to compare well with other Councils who face similar challenges. The Council recently took part in a Scottish Government funded nationwide waste analysis by Zero Waste Scotland (summary below). This showed that the current recycling collections are extremely good at collecting newspapers and magazines, glass and garden waste, but the ‘capture rates’ for other materials were lower. This pattern is seen in other areas of the country but also shows where there is scope to encourage further recycling. A number of actions were suggested to achieve this, including targeting food waste (which could not previously be collected) and commercial waste.
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 Recyclable and compostable materials Capture rate (% weight of total arising’s) Newspapers and magazines 73 Other paper 31 Cardboard 28 Plastic bottles 8 Packaging glass 68 Metal cans 22 Garden waste 79 Wood 30 15.Communication Public Satisfaction with Services and Change It is worth reflecting that West Dumbarton’s Waste Services continue to be well received by the public. Our recent Neighbourhood Surveys recorded 80% of people contacted were satisfied with their recycling services, and 87% were happy with their refuse collection. We will work with our residents, businesses and visitors while they adapt to their changing responsibilities in collecting, separating and disposing of their waste. Waste service are developing a communications strategy, to engage, inform, and encourage our citizens to do the right thing, and to contribute as we strive to achieve zero waste to landfill by 2025.
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 16. Key milestones The high level aim of this strategy is to deliver zero waste to landfill by December 2025. Short term: Removing avoidable demand In the short term, small changes will allow the Council to establish a clear vision and route to achieving our end goal of providing zero waste to landfill. The Council has measures in place to sort segregated waste at kerbsides and at Household waste recycling centres. A programme of raising awareness is carried out by the Community Waste Officers, from what goes in your bins to reducing waste, recycling, reusing and changing habits to waste less. Medium term benefits: Redesigning services around customers In the medium term, the Scottish Government under the (Waste Scotland) Regulations 2012 suggested a ban on BMW going to landfill as of 2025. The ban obligates Authorities and markets to adapt and look at alternative treatment of BMW. In order for Local Authorities to meet their statutory obligations, total compliance with the ban is required. Non-compliance with the BMW ban i.e. continuing to landfill is not an option. Non-compliance could result in the Local Authority receiving financial penalties along with the adverse reputational risks of non-compliance. The Scottish Government has identified that a large number of Local Authorities will face difficulty in identifying and implementing a compliant disposal solution for their BMW in advance of the 2025 ban. The Scottish Government estimate that nationally in Scotland there is, and will be, a processing shortfall of BMW treatment capacity of around 1m tonnes in the first year of the ban. It is estimated that this shortfall will drop by 500k tonnes in the first year. Technologies and systems that could ensure compliance with the ban can be broken down into two categories: EfW - Using the waste as feedstock in the generation of heat/electricity, producing an inert by-product, including: - RDF for supply to EfW plant
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 Composting - Compost is organic matter that has been decomposed in a process called composting. This process recycles various organic materials - otherwise regarded as waste products - and produces a soil conditioner (the compost). EfW has historically been an area of slow investment and growth in Scotland with limited capacity available, this has resulted in waste being transported to other areas of the UK or exported to Europe for further processing or recovery. It has to be noted that the RDF market is likely to fluctuate in price, particularly as a result of Brexit and growth in domestic market. An alternative option for the BMW element is to landfill elsewhere in the UK where there is currently no ban on BMW going to landfill. As a result, Local Authorities must consider costs and risks with residual waste and encourage residents to reduce reuse or recycle as much waste as possible. This is supported by the Government through policy and awareness campaigns, the most recent being the deposit return scheme. Long term change: The Government is introducing legalisation and policies to reduce waste being produced from manufacturing and consumer goods, encouraging and implement recycling, and looking at waste as a resource. This requires a significant behavioural and cultural change for all citizens and businesses to move away from being a disposable society. The measures outlined will support the Scottish Government and Zero Waste Scotland’s circular economy and waste reduction objectives as laid out in: • The Scottish Government’s Zero Waste Plan; • The Waste (Scotland) 2012 Regulations; • ‘Making things last: Consultation on Creating a More Circular Economy in Scotland’. Waste Services must implement further targeted awareness and communications campaigns to improve recycling percentages to increase waste being utilised as a resource, this is likely to coincide with the Scottish Government’s deposit return scheme, and possible service redesign to maximise recycling and segregate waste at source. These campaigns should show the benefits of relative waste streams i.e. brown bins, blue bins and glass bring sites and the cost and effects of processing these compared to the residual waste bins.
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 17. Measuring success The following Local Government Benchmarking Framework Performance Indicators will be used to monitor and manage the progress toward achieving the strategy objectives and will be reported annually; • The net cost of waste collection per property • The net cost of waste disposal per property • The percentage of household waste that is recycled • Tonnage of biodegradable municipal waste landfilled • Percentage of missed bins collected within 3 working days • Percentage of adults satisfied with refuse collection 18. Conclusion This Strategy outlines the journey being undertaken by West Dunbartonshire’s Waste Service. A great deal of progress has already been made particularly in tackling waste growth and enhancing opportunities to recycle. WDC need to maximise new opportunities as they arise to recycle a wider range of materials, and identify robust contract management and performance improvements, to ensure waste is compliant with emerging and identified regulations. We will work with contractors to improve their recycling and encourage the avoidance of landfill whenever possible. This Strategy demonstrates how the Council will achieve these objectives, against a challenging backdrop of financial constraints, by developing services which reflect the specific physical and demographic features of our Council. West Dunbartonshire’s waste follows a complex journey which begins with individuals, households and businesses collecting and sorting their waste. It ends with waste being reused, recycled, treated and disposed. The overall themes of this Strategy are: • preventing waste at source
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 • 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. 19.Action plan 2023-2028 Key Action Specific Measures Communication Timescales/ milestone Cost Ownership Page Link Maximise our recycling opportunities that support the circular economy Communications plan development using feedback from public engagement and questionnaire Completion of Feasibility and options appraisal to maximise recycling including consideration of 3 weekly residual waste collections Communications Strategy to support residents and businesses to improve recycling performance In advance of implementation of any changes to collections or service delivery a communications strategy will be in Summer 2023 Feasibility study and options appraisal completed early Waste Strategy drafted to reflect feasibility outcome Autumn 2023 Committee report for consideration and approval of waste strategy Project Board resource to consider feedback and approve engagement strategy Options appraisal and study developed, with Zero Waste Scotland at no cost Waste services, consultants, internal and external stakeholders, contractors etc. Page 13 Waste Hierarchy Page 26 Circular economy ITEM 13 - APPENDIX 2
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 Key Action Specific Measures Communication Timescales/ milestone Cost Ownership Page Link Approval of Waste Strategy reflecting recommended option for service delivery Submission of funding bid to Recycling Improvement Fund for implementation place to inform and support communities and businesses Autumn 2023 Bid submitted to Recycling Improvement Fund 2024 Implementation of proposed waste collection regime Implementation costs will be determined to reflect recommendation Bid will be submitted to Recycling Improvement Fund to supplement Capital Budget Develop Project for Feasibility, Design and Construction of Recycling Resource and Reuse Centre Identify a Project Manager and Tasks associated with every Stage of Project Management Complete Feasibility Study Identify and recommend location for construction Complete detailed design and finalise cost plan Project Board consider report and discuss options to shape recommendation Route to market considered and approved by multi disciplinary project team Communications Strategy development in readiness for Summer 2022 Feasibility Study Completed Summer 2023 Preferred location approved Summer 2023 Procurement route agreed for detailed design December 2025 Indicative cost of project included within Capital Budget A funding bid will be submitted to Recycling Improvement Fund to support implementation Following detailed design costs to be confirmed Waste Project Lead in liaison with consultants, internal and external stakeholders Page 42
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 Key Action Specific Measures Communication Timescales/ milestone Cost Ownership Page Link Construct on site and commence operation transition to new operational model Construction implementation in line with landfill tax ban Deposit Return Scheme Monitor legislation and enable change when required Council wide notifications, as well as local, to our communities. This will tie in with the Waste Communication Strategy Support local businesses to be prepared October 2025 Unknown Waste services, internal and external stakeholders including Business Support and Scottish Government Page 43 Action plan for Fit for the future review The Waste Project Board monitor delivery of the approved action plan The majority of actions have now been implemented. Autumn 2023 Implementation of route optimisation Meetings to be carried out with all relevant internal teams. Development of communications strategy with both Waste Services and stakeholders prior to implementation of measures Ongoing, complete Spring 2024 Resource Implication Waste services / project team Communications Page 44
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 Key Action Specific Measures Communication Timescales/ milestone Cost Ownership Page Link Summer 2023 Approval of policy change for Assisted Uplifts Change to criteria for Assisted Uplifts advised to users Communication strategy- Design online communication A Communication strategy will be developed, to ensure sufficient engagement with our community, and members of staff Create a project group, to outline and agree key milestones, and requirements. Put in place an effective communications and engagement strategy The Strategy will be discussed with members of Waste Services, communications and approved by the Project Board Summer 2022 Public consultation exercise and questionnaire Autumn 2023 Route Optimisation engagement and issuing of recycling information bin stickers Ongoing Review and updating of website information Resource implications Waste Project Lead and the communications team Page 48 Create Appropriate long term waste disposal contracts Create project strategy, in line with key outputs identified in this Waste Strategy Engage with key stakeholders including Procurement Market testing complete Spring 2023 Route to market scoping underway To be determined following completion of tender process and reported to Waste services, procurement, Partners
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West Dunbartonshire Council Waste Strategy 2023 Key Action Specific Measures Communication Timescales/ milestone Cost Ownership Page Link Carry out market testing Agree Route to Market Develop tender documents and project scope Procurement of contractor complete in advance of December 2025 landfill tax ban Committee for approval