Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive.

As part of the Government’s progress on implementing the English Resources and Waste Strategy it has published a second consultation on consistency in household and business recycling in England. The proposals contained therein – if implemented as described – have the potential to significantly change household and business waste management.

This briefing note outlines the proposals within the consultation and summarises the potential impacts for Greater Manchester. This consultation sits alongside those for:

·         The National Waste Prevention Plan;

·         Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Packaging; and

·         A Deposit Return Scheme (DRS).

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Mark Glynn on 0161-474-3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the Government’s progress on implementing the English Resources and Waste Strategy including the publication of a second consultation on consistency in household and business recycling in England.  This report also outlined the proposals within the consultation and summarised the potential impacts for Greater Manchester.

Paul Morgan (Head of Commercial Services, Greater Manchester Combined Authority) attended the meeting and made a presentation on the proposed National Waste and Resources Strategy.

The Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport (Councillor Sheila Bailey) also attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         A discussion took place in relation to proposals to increase the number of waste containers provided to each household with particular regard to the feasibility of many properties in the borough to store and present these for collection.

·         The impact of an increase in waste containers on the current collection regime was discussed and the productivity of each collection round.

·         It was noted that such collections schemes operated successfully elsewhere, including in Wales, where recycling rates were consistently higher than in England.

·         It was commented that in contrast, Cheshire East only had two waste receptacles per household yet had one of the highest recycling rates in the country.  In response, it was stated that it was unlikely that comingled collections would continue to be permitted in the future and as such was not a model that could be emulated.

·         It was possible for additional materials to be recycled in Greater Manchester should a market for such products emerge.

·         Stockport currently had a recycling rate of almost 60%.

RESOLVED – (1) That Paul Morgan be thanked for his attendance and presentation.

(2) That the report and presentation be noted..