Issue - meetings

Report by Head of Operational Services (attached).

The Executive considered a report by the Head of Operational Services (circulated previously), the options and/or alternatives and other relevant facts set out in the report regarding the replacement of the Materials Recovery Facility infrastructure.

The Head of Operational Services highlighted the following:

·         All recyclable materials collected were brought to Brynsworthy Environment Centre for sorting.

·         The existing equipment in the process hall was often at maximum capacity to bale the collected materials. The equipment was old and regularly broke down or needed additional maintenance and was now in need of replacement.

·         Some of the equipment was over 10 years old. 

·         As a direct result of the Recycle More project in 2017, which included the trial of the three-weekly residual collection service, the amount of recycling now collected had increased significantly.

·         The Recycle More project had influenced residents to recycle more than ever before resulting in the existing facility used to process the recycled materials not being capable of keeping up with the throughput. The occurrence of breakdowns were approximately twice per week with more major breakdown being monthly. Breakdowns were not restricted to one particular component and there were regular problems with any one of the three existing balers, conveyors and ancillary equipment.

·         In 2007/08, baling was introduced.  The collection of mixed plastics was introduced in 2014.

·         From 2014/15 to 2018/19 the collection of plastics had increased by 103%.  The collection of aluminium had increased by 140% and steel had decreased by 34%.

·         The existing equipment in the process hall was designed to deal with 6 tonnes.  It now handled in excess of 6 tonnes and was unable to cope with the current level of materials that were processed.  For the first 9-months of the financial year breakdowns and the recovery of breakdowns had cost the authority £44,264.00 which had not been budgeted for.

·         A decision had not yet been taken in relation to the roll out of the  three-weekly trial to other areas or district wide.  If was extended the problem with the process hall would be further exacerbated.  If this decision was not taken there would still be a need for the Council to increase its level of recycling to 50/55%.

·         Alternative options available –