ENVIRONMENT OVERVIEW GROUP
15TH NOVEMBER 2007
LITTER, RECYCLING AND DOG WASTE DISPOSAL RECEPTACLES
1.
Purpose of the report
1.1
To outline to Members the opportunity to revise the Council’s current ad hoc
method for the procurement of street litter and dog waste disposal
receptacles. Recommending the adoption of a Borough wide bin replacement
policy that incorporates the introduction of combined waste disposal
receptacles that capture all public recycling, litter and dog waste across the
Borough.
2.
Decision Required
2.1
That members recommend that Cabinet approve the formal
introduction of:
a) A standardised policy for the procurement of all future public waste bins
as outlined
b) The formalisation of the acceptance of bagged dog waste in public litter
bins
3.
Introduction
3.1
Protecting Poole’s Environment is a key corporate objective for the authority.
Litter and dog fouling was regarded as the third most important priority in the
perception of anti social behaviour by the Poole Opinion Panel in summer
2006.
3.2





The condition of the Boroughs existing 900 receptacles consisting of:
233 Dog waste bins
113 Dual litter and dog waste bins
55 Litter and recycling bins (beaches only)
154 50 litre litter bins
345 Litter bins
is deteriorating with many bins in urgent need of repair. Their appearance
such that they may actually be discouraging members of the public from
utilising them .
3.3
In response to this need, the Local Area Agreement (LAA) approved by
Cabinet in July 2007 has allocated funding for the introduction of 300 dual
bins for street litter and recycling. This substantial investment will greatly
improve the litter/recycling bin provision throughout Poole’s main shopping
and open space areas.
3.4
The LAA project provides an excellent opportunity for the Council to review its
current strategy for public waste bin provision.
4.
Background
4.1
The Borough of Poole does not have a statutory duty to provide public waste
bins, neither is it a legal requirement to collect dog waste separately. The
Council however recognises that the provision of bins is an essential part of
improving street cleanliness. The council is committed to making it easy for
residents and visitors to recycle, to dispose of litter and dog fouling. By doing
so it hopes to reduce the impact of litter on our streets and open spaces.
4.2
It is extremely important that bins are clearly identifiable, easy to use and are
placed at the right locations for the convenience of the public.
4.3
On the 17th July 2007 Cabinet approved Poole’s sustainable community
strategy 2007 – 2010 through Local Area Agreement stretched targets. Target
7 - Improve street cleansing and recycling was allocated £257,000 to
introduce 300 new receptacles and re-site a further 50 existing bins
4.4
Currently replacement bins cost the Authority:
Type of Bin
Dog Bins
Combined Litter/dog bins (parks)
Post mounted 50 litre bins (bus stops
etc)
Litter (100l capacity)
Proposed Litter/dog (280l capacity)
waste/recycling (inc stub it plates)
Cost per Bin
£198.00
£522.00
£100.00
£419.00
£509.00 approximate
4.5
At present, whilst all bins are emptied by Environmental and Consumer
Protection Services, bin procurement is undertaken by both Environmental &
Consumer Protection Services (highway land) and Leisure Services (parks &
open spaces) . Over time a number of bin manufactures and differing styles of
bins have been used across the Borough. Replacements have typically been
like for like. e.g a dog waste bin is damaged therefore replaced with another
dog waste bin not a combined option which would provide a facility for the
disposal of litter. Therefore opportunities in improved design and capacity as
well as collection have been missed.
4.5
The allocated small annual budgets held between the Service Units to cover
both the procurement of new and refurbishment of existing bins further
highlights the importance of standardising the design of the receptacles to
maximise bin provision across the Borough of which a combined approach
would achieve.
5.
Best Practice
5.1
Government is seeking an extension of the recycling culture from the home to
places where the public has access. In the Waste Strategy for England 2007,
Government committed to ‘on street’ recycling facilities.
5.2
Defra consultation on ‘Recycle on the Go’ was launched in August 2007 and
is currently ongoing. The intention is to establish a voluntary code of practice
and good practice guide providing advice on harmonising public space
recycling schemes. Key messages are that the most successful schemes are
those that mirror a Council’s at home recycling scheme and giving consistent
messages that the public are likely to recognise and therefore take part in.
5.2
ENCAMS research into many Local Authority policies for public waste bin
provision found that:Of 85 authorities surveyed, 23 had, and a further 8 were about to implement
on street recycling schemes, with a number recognising the opportunity to
combine this launch with a receptacle capable of capturing all 3 elements of
street waste.
All of the remaining Councils surveyed currently accept bagged dog waste in
their general litter bins, with many actively promoting it. See example:
Example of a combined litter and dog waste bin
used throughout North Dorset and West Dorset.
Following their introduction District Councils have
taken the decision to no longer procure ‘dog
waste’ only red/green bins. Instead replacing bins
with this pictured example.
The bins have proved successful at capturing
both waste elements the council’s recognise that
by formalising their use for bagged dog waste
disposal greatly increases the number of bins
available for use, reducing the amount of dog
waste left defacing public highway/footpaths
6.
Proposed Policy for Poole
6.1
300 receptacles of the following design will hit Poole’s streets during April –
June 2008 in line with LAA. They are split purpose clearly branded casements
with a combined 280 litre capacity providing
1 x 140 litre for general litter and bagged dog waste (& stub it plates)
1 x 140 litre for recycling (paper, cardboard, cans, plastic & glass)
A prototype bin is pictured below. Note: in practice the blue will be darker in
colour in line with the domestic blue recycling bins.
The use of national iconography ‘Recycle Now’ coupled with Poole’s ‘blue
recycle’ will be used to give a consistent message and minimise the risk of
contamination.
If necessary operatives servicing the bins will be issued with a disinfectant
spray to use on the bins to address any unlikely odour issues. Furthermore
bin casings would be routinely power washed as per general maintenance.
It is proposed that in future all bins in need of replacement are replaced with
the above design as long as the location is suitable for such a bin.
6.2
At locations unable/unsuitable to site this type of receptacle. Suitable
alternatives will be sourced via ECPS and Leisure Services in partnership
following appropriate consultation e.g. it will not appropriate to have such a
bin at every bus stop or in every open space. Therefore a smaller bin may be
installed.
7.
Policy Benefits
a) Fits well with the sustainability agenda – Protecting Poole’s
environment i.e. more recycling, less landfill, more efficient use of
resources
b) Increases the capacity of standard bins throughout the Borough from
100 litres to 280 litres thereby:
 reducing the required servicing frequency leading to the
identification of potential cleansing operation service
efficiencies
 reduction in vehicle movements and carbon footprint
which is particularly beneficial during the peak tourism
season when access is most challenging
 reduction in the likelihood that bins will overflow
c) Reduces variability of design across Poole giving a consistent
message to both Poole residents and visitors alike
d) Potential procurement efficiencies – Policy to purchase a single
receptacle capable of capturing all elements of street waste versus
purchase of 3 separate receptacles.
e) Will assist the Council in improving BVPI 199 Street Cleansing
performance
f) Enables utilisation of returned 140 litre bins from the Council’s
successful bin swap policy.
g) Reduction in reports from members of the public that a dog bin is full,
evidenced by plastic bags hanging out of the top. More often it is
simply the fact that materials have not been deposited in the bin
correctly and the bag has been caught in the lid of the bin, giving the
impression it is full. The proposed design would eliminate this.
8.
Policy Transition
8.1
If Members chose to adopt the proposed policy the following should take
place:
a)
All current bins suitable for the disposal of bagged dog waste be
labelled to advise as such. See example
b)
c)
d)
A review of all current ‘dog waste only’ bins and their suitability to be
exchanged for combined bins as per an agreed replacement
programme and existing budgets
A medium/long term replacement programme for existing bins be
developed officers of the two services in line with annual budget
allocations. Seeking wherever possible to incorporate the 3 elements of
waste disposal
Shared procurement discussions between
E&CPS and Leisure
Services be undertaken to agree implementation strategy.
SHAUN ROBSON
Head of Environmental & Consumer Protection Services
CONTACT OFFICER
Steve Chapple
Waste Services Manager
Tel 01202 261760