Agenda Item 6
BOROUGH OF POOLE
ENVIRONMENT OVERVIEW & SCRUTINY REPORT
14TH MARCH 2013
RECYCLING PROMOTIONS
1. PURPOSE OF REPORT
1.1 To provide Members with details of previous recycling promotions and the impact
that these have had on the tonnages of waste collected and the recycling rate by
area.
1.2 To demonstrate that the information can be used to further influence decisions made
for future recycling and waste minimisation promotions as well as how best and most
efficiently to use the funding from the Department for Communities and Local
Government (DCLG) to support weekly refuse collections.
2. DECISION REQUIRED
2.1 That Members note the report and use it to inform decisions when considering the
funding from the DCLG. A further report will follow with options available for this
funding in May.
3. BACKGROUND
3.1 Statutory recycling targets are set for all Local Authorities. The target in 2009/10 was
to recycle/compost 40% of household waste. The subsequent targets are to
recycle/compost:


45% of household waste by 2015
50% of household waste by 2020
3.2 Before the Blue Bin was introduced in 2004 about 18% of household waste in Poole
was recycled. With the introduction of the two phases of the green bins in 2006 and
2007 this rose steadily to nearly 40%. There have not been any new schemes
introduced after this time. With significant promotion of recycling and waste
minimisation campaigns since 2007 this rate of 40% has been maintained to present
but has not seen another step-change. In 2011/12 the recycling rate was recorded
as 39.36% and this year it is currently 42% (Apr – Jan).
1
3.3 The historical recycling rate for Poole can be seen below.
Recycling Rate 2003 - 2013
45%
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Blue Bin
introduced
Green bin for
12,000 residents
Green bin for
another 10,000
Chargeable garden
waste service
3.4 Landfill tax is currently set at £64/tonne and in April this will increase to £72/tonne.
This is on top of gate fees charged by Viridor to send waste to landfill or Energy from
Waste (EfW) which in 2012/13 makes the total cost £107.59/tonne. Income received
from co-mingled recycling is currently £5/tonne. Therefore the financial saving of
recycling one tonne of waste rather than sending it to landfill is £112.59.
3.5 Until two years ago, recycling promotions have consisted of staffing a display unit in
various roadshow type events. These have taken place in many different sites
around the borough including supermarkets, libraries, the Dolphin Centre, Tower
Park, Poole High Street, Ashley Road, Broadstone High Street and Poole Park.
Information was given to residents and visitors to Poole in the form of stickers,
postcards and promotional gifts such as pencils made from recyclable materials, in
order to raise awareness of the materials that can be recycled in the Blue Bins.
3.6 In 2011 a new approach was trialled where temporary staff carried out door-stepping
exercises in different areas of the Borough as well as running the road show events.
They talked to residents to try to encourage further positive recycling and waste
minimisation behaviour. Residents were made aware of the recycling banks for
textiles and foil as well as the Mobile Recycling Points and the bin swap scheme.
During the three months of promotion, 2491 households were targeted and of these
822 had a resident in at the time of calling.
3.7 Direct promotion to residents is supplemented by the Council’s work in promoting
recycling to children through work in schools and the Schools Environment Award.
2
4. 2012 PROMOTIONS
4.1 In 2012 it was decided to run a campaign by using entirely door-stepping techniques.
This was based on feedback from the previous year’s promotion as it was felt that a
wider range of residents could be spoken to rather than just those who choose to
speak to the staff at the road show events.
4.2 Previous waste tonnages for each ward were analysed and a recycling rate was
recorded for each area. The results were:
Ward
Total
Waste
(kg/household/week)
Recycling
Rate
Merley & Bearwood
Branksome East
Branksome West
Broadstone
Penn Hill
Parkstone
Canford Heath West
Canford Heath East
Canford Cliffs
Oakdale
Hamworthy West
Creekmoor
Newtown
Hamworthy East
Poole Town
Alderney
18.06
14.50
15.45
17.20
16.12
16.47
17.63
16.72
17.21
16.90
15.07
16.26
17.79
13.77
12.24
21.53
47.34%
46.41%
45.18%
44.48%
43.92%
42.99%
42.26%
40.85%
39.51%
39.29%
39.02%
38.99%
37.16%
36.53%
35.70%
28.98%
4.3 From this data it was decided to target three wards, Oakdale, Canford Heath East
and Parkstone. These wards were chosen as their recycling rate was average
across the borough and it was felt could be improved and it was worth investing the
resources to try to increase this rate. Wards that had one of the lower recycling rates
were not targeted as national research from WRAP (Waste Resources Action
Programme) shows that often more resources are required to make the same
impact. Also there are often other issues which can affect how much people recycle
e.g. proportion of flatted accommodation and other social-economic factors which
can affect what products are disposed of.
4.4 The campaign took place over five months from June to October. Oakdale was
targeted first followed by Canford Heath East and Parkstone.
4.5 A team of door-stepping staff, who were mostly students from Bournemouth
University studying for environmental degrees, were employed on temporary
contracts. They were trained to speak to residents about a number of subjects
including:
 The Blue Bin scheme – reminder of the materials that can be accepted
especially low-capture items such as plastic food packaging, Tetra-Paks,
aerosols and glass jars
 Bin Swaps
3






The Garden Waste Service – gain feedback from residents using the service
and see if they plan to register again for 2013
Mobile Recycling Points
Recycling banks – textiles, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment
(WEEE), foil and paper
Home composting
Domestic skip hire
Household Waste Recycling Centre
4.6 A short questionnaire was completed with residents which covered various subjects.
If the resident had not already swapped their bins they were encouraged to do so.
4.7 Promotional material to support the door-stepping campaign was based on the
financial saving from diverting waste from black bins to blue with the strap line ‘Think
before you throw – could it be recycled?’ Examples were given to show what other
services could be funded if everyone in a residential road increased their recycling
by just 10%. Examples included:
 7 hours homecare for a vulnerable person
 School meals for a child for 36 days
 Taking 11 adults to a day care centre
 A school crossing assistant to help children cross the road for a week
 Emptying 163 litter bins, helping to keep Poole clean
4.8 Other promotional tools were also used to give the message to residents in other
non-targeted wards. These included:
 Adverts on the side of collection vehicles which cover the whole borough
(Appendix 1)
 Adverts in community magazines (Canford Heath and Creekmoor Link,
Broadstone Link and The Poole Directory (Town Centre area))
 Banners and postcards (Appendix 2) in libraries and the Civic Centre
4.9 Areas were also chosen to have tags put on their black bins with the ‘Think before
you throw – could it be recycled?’ message (Appendix 3). Specific collection routes
were chosen over a two week period which mainly covered different areas to those
where the door-steppers were working to give a wider impact. These also gave a
reminder of the bin swap scheme and how residents can request to swap their bins.
5. RESULTS FROM QUESTIONNAIRES
5.1 Oakdale – graphs in Appendix 4
5.1.1 In total, the door-stepping team spoke to residents in 1059 properties in the
Oakdale ward. Of these, 321 requested to swap their bins.
5.1.2 The barriers that are stopping residents from recycling more materials are the
size of the blue bin and uncertainty of the items that can be recycled. As many
residents claim that they ‘recycle everything’ as those that are not sure of what can
be put in the blue bins.
4
5.1.3 Of the residents spoken to, 53% said that their black bin was half full or less on
collection day. Even if residents said their bin was more than half full they were still
encouraged to have a bin swap as some reported that they only needed the larger
black bin for the recyclables that don’t fit into the blue bin. Only a small number of
residents said that they don’t put their bins out for collection every week.
5.1.4 78% of residents spoken to reported that their blue bin was 100% full on the
collection day. Again residents were encouraged to swap their bins which would help
them to recycle more of their waste.
5.2 Canford Heath East – graphs in Appendix 5
5.2.1 1093 residents were spoken to in Canford Heath East and of these 320
requested to swap their bins.
5.2.2 When asked what prevents them from recycling more of their waste, the
majority of residents again said that there was not enough room in the blue bin and
that they weren’t sure of the materials that could be recycled. Many residents also
claimed that they recycle everything.
5.2.3 54% of residents said that their black bin was less than half full on their
collection day. When asked how full their blue bin was each fortnight, 78% of
residents in Canford Heath East said that their blue bin was full. Again these
residents were encouraged to swap their bins.
5.3 Parkstone – graphs in Appendix 6
5.3.1In Parkstone 181 (35% of the 517 spoken to) requested to swap their bins after
speaking to one of the team.
5.3.2 Similar results were seen in Parkstone as the other two wards with residents
still reporting that the size of the blue bin and uncertainty of what can be recycled
prevents them recycling more.
5.3.3 Of those spoken to, 61% of residents said that their black bin was half full or
less on the day of collection. Again in Parkstone, as in the other wards, the majority
of residents (76%) said that their blue bin was full on their day of collection.
5
5.4 Bin Swaps Requests
The door-stepping team could not always speak to the resident at the time of calling
(approximately one third of residents were available). In these cases, a promotional
postcard was left at these properties. Approximately 15,000 postcards were given
out during the campaign to residents by the door-stepping team, at the Household
Waste Recycling Centre and at public buildings. The graph below shows all of the
bin swaps that were requested during the promotional period in the postcode areas
that were targeted (Oakdale, Canford Heath East and Parkstone). In total 926
residents requested to swap their bins.
Bin Swap Requests (June - Oct 2012)
373
400
350
319
300
258
250
175
200
150
100
234
212
92
97
51
50
15
18
8
0
140l/140l
240l/140l
BH15-3
240l/240l
BH17
Total
BH14
Some properties are able to have a 240l black bin and 240l blue bin if there are six
or more permanent residents living there or a resident has medical needs which
results in additional black bin waste being produced.
Many residents were still reluctant to swap their bins as they were unsure if they
could manage their waste with a small black bin. Some said that they would only
swap if they were forced to or their neighbours were forced to as well.
6
6. TONNAGE DATA FROM TARGETED WARDS
6.1 Oakdale
In the promotional period from June to October kerbside recycling collected in the
blue bins has increased by 0.71kg/hh/wk compared to in the same period in 2011.
Oakdale Kerbside Recycling (kg/hh/wk)
2011
17-Oct
10-Oct
03-Oct
26-Sep
19-Sep
12-Sep
05-Sep
29-Aug
22-Aug
15-Aug
08-Aug
01-Aug
25-Jul
18-Jul
11-Jul
04-Jul
27-Jun
20-Jun
13-Jun
4.50
4.00
3.50
3.00
2.50
2.00
1.50
1.00
0.50
0.00
2012
Black bin tonnages in Oakdale during the same period have fallen by 0.57kg/hh/wk
following a downward trend.
Oakdale Kerbside Refuse (kg/hh/wk)
13.00
12.00
11.00
10.00
9.00
8.00
7.00
2011
2012
7
17-Oct
10-Oct
03-Oct
26-Sep
19-Sep
12-Sep
05-Sep
29-Aug
22-Aug
15-Aug
08-Aug
01-Aug
25-Jul
18-Jul
11-Jul
04-Jul
27-Jun
20-Jun
13-Jun
6.00
6.2 Canford Heath East
Compared to the same period in 2011 kerbside recycling tonnages have increased
by 0.38kg/hh/wk.
Canford Heath East Kerbside Recycling (kg/hh/wk)
2.50
2.00
1.50
1.00
0.50
2011
2012
Black bin waste has decreased by 1.03kg/hh/wk in 2012 compared to 2011.
Canford Heath East Kerbside Refuse (kg/hh/wk)
14.00
13.00
12.00
11.00
10.00
9.00
8.00
7.00
2011
8
2012
17-Oct
10-Oct
03-Oct
26-Sep
19-Sep
12-Sep
05-Sep
29-Aug
22-Aug
15-Aug
08-Aug
01-Aug
25-Jul
18-Jul
11-Jul
04-Jul
27-Jun
20-Jun
13-Jun
6.00
17-Oct
10-Oct
03-Oct
26-Sep
19-Sep
12-Sep
05-Sep
29-Aug
22-Aug
15-Aug
08-Aug
01-Aug
25-Jul
18-Jul
11-Jul
04-Jul
27-Jun
20-Jun
13-Jun
0.00
6.3 Parkstone
There has not been such an increase in recycling tonnages collected in the same
period in Parkstone as in the other wards, with an increase of 0.16kg/hh/wk. This
could be because this was the last ward that the door-stepping team visited so there
was not as long a time for the change of behaviour to have an impact. Also, those
residents that requested a bin swap may not have had their new bins delivered at
this time. Parkstone also had lower black bin tonnages and higher blue bin tonnages
than the other two wards before the campaign started.
Parkstone Kerbside Recycling (kg/hh/wk)
2011
17-Oct
10-Oct
03-Oct
26-Sep
19-Sep
12-Sep
05-Sep
29-Aug
22-Aug
15-Aug
08-Aug
01-Aug
25-Jul
18-Jul
11-Jul
04-Jul
27-Jun
20-Jun
13-Jun
5.00
4.50
4.00
3.50
3.00
2.50
2.00
1.50
1.00
0.50
0.00
2012
A drop of 0.95kg/hh/wk was seen in Parkstone during the promotional period. The
drop on 22nd August 2012 was due to a hire vehicle being used so correct
information may not be available.
2011
9
2012
17-Oct
10-Oct
03-Oct
26-Sep
19-Sep
12-Sep
05-Sep
29-Aug
22-Aug
15-Aug
08-Aug
01-Aug
25-Jul
18-Jul
04-Jul
27-Jun
20-Jun
13-Jun
11-Jul
Parkstone Kerbside Refuse (kg/hh/wk)
11.00
10.50
10.00
9.50
9.00
8.50
8.00
7.50
7.00
6.50
6.00
7 CONCLUSIONS
7.1 The door-stepping approach worked well in the areas that were targeted with
residents generally giving a positive response. Most residents were happy to
speak about their recycling behaviour and it also gave them a chance to ask
questions in an informal environment to clarify any particular issues e.g. whether
certain items could be recycled and composting queries.
7.2 A significant number of residents were not at the property at the time of calling.
The team spoke to a resident in approximately one in three properties which is
what would be expected. Even though a promotional postcard was always left in
the properties where there was not a resident at home, this would not have had
the same level of impact as speaking to someone face-to-face.
7.3 There are other wards that could be targeted with a similar promotional campaign
and it would be expected that results would be similar to those in Oakdale,
Canford Heath East and Parkstone. It is likely that the same barriers would be
seen and highlighted in some wards more than others.
7.4 If every property in Canford Heath East (2932 properties) increased their
recycling by 10% (0.2kg) this would result in an extra 30.49 tonnes collected per
year in this ward. At £5/tonne this would mean an increased income of £152.45
per year. If this waste had previously been sent to landfill, at a cost of
£107.59/tonne, this would make a saving of £3280.42 per year. This cost would
increase further after 2012/13 when landfill tax increases by £8/tonne.
7.5 Officers from E&CPS have recently looked at environmental incentive schemes
for Local Authorities. These work by encouraging residents to register to take
part and once they have done so they can then report when they have recycled
and gain points for doing so. Points can be redeemed for vouchers towards local
businesses or donated to local schools. Extra points can be gained by taking part
in environmentally educational quizzes and pledged on the website. Access to
the internet is not necessary to take part, as residents can also report when they
have recycled by contacting the call centre or using a mobile phone application.
There is a limit to the number of times that a resident can report that they have
recycled in a certain period. The annual cost to the Local Authority is based on
the number of properties that the campaign would be aimed at. The four Local
Authorities already taking part in the UK have reported increases in recycling
rates of up to 9%.
8 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
8.1 Every tonne of waste that is put in the blue bin rather than the black bin creates a
financial saving of £112.59. This will increase further as landfill tax continues to
increase by £8 per tonne in 2013/14.
8.2 We are currently budgeted to purchase our bin requirements for new properties
and general wear and tear. However the council still has a large number of 20
year old 240 litre black bins that are increasingly failing which is increasing the
pressure on the existing budget.
10
8.3 The Borough of Poole has been awarded funding from the DCLG. The
subsequent report will set out the options available to the Borough for how the
funding could be used to increase recycling and address the issue of replacing
an old bin stock.
9 LEGAL IMPLICATIONS
9.1 The European Landfill Directive and the Waste Framework Directive has given
the UK recycling targets of 50% by 2020, and the reduction of bio-degradable
municipal waste to 35% of 1995 level also by 2020. Councils also have to collect
four recyclable materials by 2015.
9.2 The Household Waste Recycling Act 2003 required councils to provide a
doorstep collection of at least two recyclable materials by 2010 (now
incorporated as section 45a Environmental Protection Act 1990).
9.3 The Council has a duty to collect household waste in its area (section 51
Environmental Protection Act 1990 – The Waste Collection Authority).
9.4 The Council can specify what receptacles will be used to collect household
waste, and the kind and number required for a separate collection of recyclable
materials (section 46 Environmental Protection Act 1990).
9.5 The Council has a duty to arrange for the disposal of waste collected, and to
provide places for residents to dispose of their own household waste free of
charge (section 51 Environmental Protection Act 1990 – The Waste Disposal
Authority).
9.6 Councils can use, sell or otherwise dispose of collected waste (section 55
Environmental Protection Act 1990).
10 RISK MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS
10.1 Bin manufacturers give a guaranteed life of a wheeled bin for eight years.
Some 240 litre black bins used in the Borough are over 20 years old and blue
bins were introduced over eight years ago. Requests are often made for bin
replacements. Damaged 240 litre black bins are currently replaced with a 240
litre blue bin and 140 litre black bin.
11 EQUALITIES IMPLICATIONS
11.1 If a property has six or more permanent residents they are able, if they wish,
to have a 240 litre blue bin as well as a 240l litre black bin.
11.2 Residents with medical conditions which mean that they produce extra black
bin waste are also able to have a 240 litre blue bin as well as a 240l litre black
bin.
11
Shaun Robson
Head of Environmental & Consumer Protection Services
Contact Officer:
Laura Neil
Recycling and Waste Minimisation Officer
e.mail: l.neil@poole.gov.uk
Tel: 261725
12
Appendix 1 – Livery on refuse collection vehicles
Appendix 2 – Postcards
13
Appendix 3 – Bin tags put on black bin
Appendix 4 – Oakdale ward
Oakdale Bin Swaps
1059
Bin Swap Requests (after contact)
Existing Bin Swaps (already swapped before
contact)
228
97
63
269
140L Blue
240L Blue
312
281
140L Black
8
53
1
4
1
2
240L Black
360L Blue
360L Black
Total Spoken to
NB this graph shows size of all bins following all bin sizes – not all residents have the same
configuration of bins i.e. 140l/140l, 240l/140l etc
14
331
Oakdale - what stops you from recycling more of your
waste?
351
351
a) not enough
b) not sure if
room in the blue certain materials
bin
can be recycled
31
21
12
c) can't be
bothered to
separate
d) lots of garden
waste to put in
black bin
e) Nappies from Recycle everything
young children
Oakdale - How full is the black bin
400
355
350
315
300
250
207
175
200
150
100
50
0
25% full
900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
50% full
75% full
100% full
Oakdale - How full is the blue bin
827
136
83
8
25% full
50% full
75% full
15
100% full
Appendix 5 – Canford Heath East ward
Canford Heath East Bin Swaps
1093
Bin Swap Requests (after contact)
Existing Bin Swaps (already swapped before contact)
305
236
83
253
266
14
36
240L Blue
140L Black
240L Black
46
140L Blue
2
2
1
0
360L Blue
360L Black
Total Spoken
to
NB this graph shows size of all bins following all bin sizes – not all residents have the same
configuration of bins i.e. 140l/140l, 240l/140l etc
Canford Heath East - What stops you recycling
more of your waste?
450
371
281
20
14
a) not enough
b) not sure if
room in the blue certain materials
bin
can be recycled
c) can't be
bothrerd to
separate
33
d) lots of garden e) Nappies from
waste to put in young children
black bin
16
Recycle
everything
Canford Heath East - How full is the black
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
379
302
169
25% full
163
50% full
75% full
100% full
Canford Heath East - How full is the blue
1000
794
800
600
400
200
0
6
25% full
127
90
50% full
75% full
17
100% full
Appendix 6 – Parkstone ward
Parkstone Bin Swaps
516
Bin Swap Requests (after contact)
Existing Bin Swaps (already swapped before contact)
172
136
9
45
22
79
93
140L Blue
240L Blue
140L Black
9
240L Black
0
1
0
360L Blue
360L Black
Total spoken
to
NB this graph shows size of all bins following all bin sizes – not all residents have the same
configuration of bins i.e. 140l/140l, 240l/140l etc
Parkstone - What stops you from recycling more of
your waste?
197
128
130
23
12
a) not enough
b) not sure if
room in the blue certain materials
bin
can be recycled
c) can't be
bothrerd to
separate
12
d) lots of garden e) Nappies from
waste to put in young children
black bin
18
Recycle
everything
250
Parkstone - How full is the black bin
206
200
150
100
90
88
77
50
0
400
25%
50%
75%
100%
Parkstone - How full is the blue bin
348
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
64
40
8
0
25%
50%
75%
19
100%