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Assessment information
Title Waste Services Review
Lead officer(s) Claire Kavanagh Strategic Lead Community Regeneration and Communities, Malcolm Rae Service Manager - Cleaner Communities
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Date summary created 19 Sep 2024
Date assessment completed 19 Sep 2024
Summary of policy aims The aim of the comprehensive review of Cleaner Communities, principally the Waste Management arrangements to create more efficient and financially viable Waste Management services for East Ayrshire residents. The new waste strategy is anticipated to be rolled out across 62,340 households (updated figure April 2024) in East Ayrshire between summer 2026 and Spring 2027. As part of its efforts to increase the amount of waste that can be recycled across East Ayrshire and meet the ambitious recycling targets set by the Scottish Government as well as deliver financial savings that can help protect services, soft films/flexible plastics will now be collected and general waste extended to a 4 weekly collection frequency. The ‘colour-coded' system will make it easy for people to sort their household, recycling, and garden waste, minimising the likelihood of them contaminating their waste by putting items in the wrong bin and helping reduce the amount of unnecessary waste that the Council pays to dispose of. The new system will be rolled out across East Ayrshire on a phased basis by Spring 2027. For most households, it will mean the introduction of three new recycling bins (and the removal of the existing trolley) - a blue bin for paper and cards, a red bin for plastics/cans, and a purple bin for glass (It is likely that to reduce costs and aid stock control the main body of the bins will be a uniform colour e.g. black or dark grey with a coloured lid) The new collections model will be implemented on a phased basis between summer 2026 and spring 2027. There will be a comprehensive communications campaign which will reflect this phased approach. Key messages will focus on the introduction of the new waste and recycling service across East Ayrshire, with three new bins being rolled out between summer 2026 and spring 2027. The move, designed to increase the amount and quality of recycling we collect, will help the Council meet national recycling targets and help the planet It will also bring down costs and help maintain other local services.
Key issues The new service uses a colour-coded system so that it's simple to sort your household and garden waste The new system will collect flexible and plastic films (soft plastics) expanding the materials that can be recycled and reducing the volumes within the general waste bin The 3 additional bins will utilise a net increase in space of 0.75m3 (0.16m3 more than pre 2017 scheme) Analysis of non-recycled waste bins /green bins in 2021 identified over 70% of the contents could be recycled.
Summary of involvement with Groups While consultation has not been carried out with the general public, as yet, it has been carried out with Trade Unions and employees. It should be noted that the majority of the Council's employees live in East Ayrshire, giving a general view of opinions held.During the development of the review, there were several employee/Trade Union engagements including a series of workforce meetings which helped shape key elements of the review, particularly around the manual handling aspects and vehicle type Benchmarking was undertaken with other Local Authorities and Zero Waste Scotland with the revised collection scheme complying with the Household Waste Recycling Charter. The appropriate Trade Unions were also consulted on the proposals. The feedback was positive. In terms of this assessment, support was sought from members of Corporate Support. LEAMS (Local Environmental Audit and Management System) assessments are done by our staff and by other Local Authorities and Keep Scotland Beautiful on our behalf within East Ayrshire. Elected Members While consultation has not been carried out with the general public, as yet, it has been carried out with Trade Unions and staff. The majority of staff live in East Ayrshire, giving a general view of opinions held.
Key recommendations Introduce the review without amendment. The aim of the comprehensive review of Cleaner Communities, principally the Waste Management arrangements to create more efficient and financially viable Waste Management services that will be accessible for East Ayrshire residents.

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