6
The Committee received and considered a presentation from Ben Gulliver, FACET Project Manager.
The Committee were introduced to Kate Harper and Dom Harris from Pressure Plastics East, Members were given a summary of the activities they would be undertaking which focussed on communities and education.
Councillor Jeal asked with regard to the recycling bins and how these would be emptied. The Head of Environmental Services reported that the bins would be picked up by a smaller lifting vehicle with a side lift that would be used currently these are diesel but this could change in the future. The Chair advised that a business case had been agreed to look at more eco friendly vehicles.
Councillor Lawn asked where the work would be produced and he was advised that a unit had just started to be made good for use in Great Yarmouth and would all be completed locally.
The Chair asked in relation to the Hemsby cup and whether the output and buy in of the scheme would be reported back to the Committee, this was confirmed.
Councillor Talbot asked if all plastics were to be used for recycling, it was advised that there would be three types of plastics recycled, HTTP polypropene and rigid polystyrene. The Strategic Director clarified that business waste was to be targeted for recycling.
Councillor P Carpenter asked with regard to demand and whether this had been considered if demand was to increase. It was advised there were a number of markets available to access to plastics for recycling, and there were a number of strategies that could be looked at. The Chair asked if consideration had been given to the maximum work load of plastics that could be received. It was advised that an industrial shredder had been purchased to accommodate the demand.
Councillor Waters Bunn asked with regard to the bins at location on the Sea Wall, the Head of Environmental Services advised that the intention was to replace all the bins at this location and a smaller side loading vehicle would be used to empty these. The intention for introducing new bins would hopefully see the emptying needs decrease. The new bins would be moveable so could be moved if demand was higher in different locations.
Councillor Waters Bunn asked with regard to the botte ships and whether the bottles required to be cleaned before they were placed into the bin, it was confirmed that aslong as bottles were empty this would be sufficient.
Councillor Waters Bunn asked with regard to re used plastic and whether the plastic could be dyed a different colour, it was advised that colours would not be added to the plastics.
Councillor Martin suggested that a planter could be given back to the businesses who were involved in the project so that the linkage could be seen.
Councillor Robinson-Payne commented that in her opinion there was a need to send communications out to residents around what can be put into bins and what cannot.
Councillor Robinson-Payne asked with regard to the composting and whether there was a capacity to increase the composting amount, it was advised that the project is restricted to 10 businesses but there would be opportunity for businesses to be involved in other ways if not included within the 10.
Councillor Robinson-Payne asked with regard to the contamination of the recycling bins, it was advised that the bins would have locks on them to try and prevent contamination.
Councillor Cameron asked whether plant pots could be recycled, it was advised that for the first 6 months business waste would be the focus but plant pots would hopefully be considered in the future.
Councillor Annison asked whether the plastic strips on materials such as bricks would be able to recycled, it was advised this would need to be looked into to look at what plastic was used.
Councillor Mogford asked whether anything was being added to the plastics to be used outside to enhance the life of these due to sun damage, it was advised this matter is being considered and experiments and testing is ongoing to look at the UV proofing.
Councillor Carpenter asked whether the products made could be recycled again, this was confirmed. Councillor Carpenter asked with regard to the smart bins, it was advised that these were currently being procured.
Councillor Carpenter asked if the bottle ships were to be rolled out in other places of the Borough, it was advised that the three locations were confirmed and that currently there were no plans to roll out elsewhere.
Councillor Waters-Bunn asked if the Committee could be invited to the Pressure Plastics East unit, this was confirmed..
Councillor Waters-Bunn commented on a facebook post which had stated that one lorry had been sent to empty both green and black bins, the Head of Environmental Services Officer advised that this is not the normal process and two lorries are sent out on rounds, he advised there had been occasions were a contaminated bin had been picked up by one lorry but this was not normal practice.
RESOLVED :
That the Environment Committee note the contents of this report and endorses the continued development of this project.