Smaller bins equals better behaviour
02 February 2011
With the aim to explore new techniques in recycling and to meet the targets set by Welsh Assembly government (WAG), Newport Council conducted a three month Smaller Green Wheelie Bin trial to reduce carbon emissions, increase recycling and make Newport a sustainable city. The trial involved replacing existing green wheelie bins (black bag waste) with smaller ones, taking into account a variety of family sizes within Newport and a total of 76 households took part in the trial. There were no immediate concerns or direct financial implications arising from the survey and in what will come as good news for the recycling experts, the trial encouraged good waste minimization behaviour.
The following recommendations were agreed upon by the Council:
1. Flexible local solutions as the way forward, including co-mingling of recyclables and autoclave facilities
Members considered various potential alternatives to policies currently promoted by the Welsh Assembly Government. These included co-mingling of recyclable materials and autoclave facilities, although the performance information from the Welsh council showed that neither co-mingling nor kerbside sort proved better than the other. It was recommended that the details of the review be reported back to the forum to allow members to continue to keep all options under review.
2. Provision of individual refuse containers to flats and discouraging the use of communal areas
Members noted various challenges associated with conversion of properties to flats in Pill and Denbighshire. It was agreed upon that each flat received its own provision for refuse containers within its curtilage. These should also include facilities to allow recycling, and discouraging the use of communal areas.
It is therefore recommended that the Cabinet Member ask the Cabinet Member Economic Development and Regeneration to consider the preparation of Supplementary Planning Guidance to reinforce the requirements that new flats (including conversions) include adequate facilities for collecting and storing recycled materials for each individual flat and that the forum is consulted on any such Guidance prepared.
3. Education and awareness
The forum had previously emphasized and put in action the need to reinforce the importance of recycling to the public at large (especially children) and provide public information on how to recycle and the opportunities and options for recycling.
It was therefore recommended that the council continue to use existing communication methods to convey recycling messages to the public and staff.
Specifically, the development of further proposals in order to continue to add to the existing initiatives and creation of specific proposals to communicate to "hard to reach" groups.
Also, protection of the existing budget of £20,000 to undertake this work in order to take forward the above initiatives.
4. Smaller bins to the rescue
The experiences of other authorities showed (for example Bridgend and Denbighshire) that high performers restricted refuse capacity, thereby reducing the option of throwing all waste in the bin. The resultant decrease in the landfill costs will also help with the offsetting of the cost of the new bins. It was therefore recommended that a further report be submitted to the forum at the conclusion of the trial of smaller bin sizes so that members can consider lessons learned prior to making a final recommendation.
While financial incentives and penalties were without the backing of strong legal powers, a specific recommendation to introduce them was not considered appropriate.
Hence, it was recommended that the council examined proposals to introduce alternative reward schemes like free or reduced tickets to Council leisure facilities and parking vouchers to encourage public to recycle.
5. Additional issues
Any option from best practice in other authorities would continue to be highlighted to members.
Krishna Buddhiraju
