Purpose

To
approve Options for Recycling & Refuse Service – Simpler
Recycling

Content

It was
RESOLVED: -
 
1.1        
To approve Option C
– introduction of new twin stream kerbside recycling collection service and change to
three-weekly refuse collections, in conjunction with weekly food
waste collections.

 
1.2        
Thay delegated
Authority be given to The Director of Operations and Climate
Change, in consultation with the Cabinet Members for People and
Place, and Finance, to implement all of
the required service changes for Option C, acting individually
and/or collectively as required with partner Suffolk Councils in
delivering the contractual variations and procurements for planned
delivery by April 2026.

 
1.3        
To monitor and then
report to Cabinet the difference in cost to budget once the
government funding arrangements, tender results, contractual
variations and the resulting revisions to the Suffolk Waste
Partnership Inter-Authority Agreement have been established, and
work to include this in the councils 2025-26
budgets.

 
1.4        
Cabinet recommends
to Council that they endorse the recommendations
above.
 
REASON FOR
DECISION
 
To
ensure that the council can meet its statutory requirements in
compliance with The Environment Act (2021) by the 31 March 2026
deadline, in connection to the Simpler Recycling
changes.
 
To
maximise the opportunities to deliver the best outcomes from the
service changes. To improve recycling performance, minimise the
impact on the environment through reduced emissions and to provide
best value to our residents by having cost-effective recycling and
refuse collections.
 
To
maximise the quality of the materials collected and ensure the
Suffolk taxpayer receives the best value for money.
 
To
align our preferred recycling service delivery option with other
Suffolk councils to create consistent, simple communication
messages and campaigns.
 
To
give Suffolk County Council the confidence to proceed with
negotiations and contractual changes to strategic waste contracts
and infrastructure to ensure continuity of delivery and seek best
value for our residents.
 
Alternative
Options Considered and Rejected:
 
Option A – continue with the existing kerbside recycling
and waste collection arrangements, with the addition of collecting
of glass, cartons, and plastic films into the existing co-mingled
recycling bins. Delivered in conjunction with separate weekly food
waste collections.
 
Option B – introduce a twin stream** kerbside recycling
collection service whilst retaining two-weekly refuse collections.
Delivered in conjunction with separate weekly food waste
collections.
 
Option C – introduce a twin stream** kerbside recycling
collection service and change to three-weekly refuse collections.
In conjunction with separate weekly food waste
collections.
 
**
two containers (either wheeled bins or for exempted properties a
reusable box and bag, or communal bins): one for paper and card,
the other for plastics, metal, cartons inc. Tetra Pak and glass
bottles and jars
 
Any Declarations of Interests Declared: None
 
Any Dispensation Granted: None