Decision details

Report of the Development and Performance Manager, setting out the proposed kerbside mixed glass collection service for households across Southampton and requesting delegated powers for the Head of City Services to implement this new service from October 2013.

1. To implement community glass collection recycling points for flats and surrounding areas in phase 1.
2. To implement a glass collection scheme for houses, apart from the central Southampton area (this would exclude parts of SO14, SO15 and SO17 postcodes),in phase 2;
3. To implement glass collections for remainder of houses (parts of SO14, SO15 and SO17postcodes), which includes the city centre, in phase 3.  It is intended to implement glass collection recycling points for flats in phase 1;
4. To authorise the Head of City Services, on behalf of the Director of Environment & Economy as the delegate, and following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment & Transport, to undertake any work necessary within approved budgets and subject to compliance with Contract and Financial Procedure Rules to deliver the implementation of the glass collection service outlined in this report.

1. In November 2012, the Council was informed that it would receive funds from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) to retain weekly collections until 2017.  Included in the bid was funding to introduce kerbside collection of glass.
2. To increase the City’s recycling rate, which is currently 26%.  Glass recycling will enable us to increase our recycling rate by approximately 5%.
3. Feedback from residents informs us that they would like to be able to recycle glass from the kerbside.
4. Glass is a major factor in the contamination of recycling collected via the blue lidded recycling bins.  Collecting glass separately will improve the quality of our recyclates and increase the income we receive from the sales of recycling materials.
5. Removing glass from residual waste collections will reduce waste disposal costs.

1. Implementing glass collections was part of the funding we received from the WCSS.  Not implementing glass collections carries a significant risk in relation to receiving future payments. 
2. The alternative is to maintain the current arrangement of residents taking their glass for recycling to glass banks at various locations across the city.  This would not increase the number of people recycling or reduce the amount of glass in the residual waste collection or reduce contamination of recycling.