St Helens Council proposes shake-up to recycling system

The council’s cabinet is being recommended to approve the authority's waste strategy for 2023-2030 at its meeting on Wednesday, March 22.

What are the proposed changes?

Members will also be asked to approve capital investment up to £4.2million to support the delivery of the strategy, and delegate authority to the director of operations and director of legal & governance to enter into the ‘necessary contracts’.

These relate to the provision of ‘enhanced’ recycling containers and associated distribution across the borough, and up to 10 replacement recycling collection vehicles.

The strategy will guide the ‘management, investment and sustainability’ of waste and resource collection and disposal in the borough.

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It outlines the vision for the service, outcomes to be achieved and the commitment to ensure ‘efficient and effective’ delivery – while aiming to increase recycling, reduce waste, and support the target to achieve zero carbon by 2040.

A report to cabinet says the strategy ‘unlocks’ several operational service improvements to generate efficiencies, increase income generation and an improved collection methodology to address customer feedback from residents across the borough.

The strategy provides full detail of the recycling containers that would support the ‘enhanced kerbside sort methodology’.

St Helens Borough Council's cabinet has been recommended to approve plans at its town hall meeting on Wednesday, March 22 (Image: Stock)

These comprise glass bottles and jars in a black 50 litre box made from recyclable material, paper in a 40-litre reusable bag with improved closure at the top and heavier weight in the bottom to reduce the ‘issue of loss during adverse weather’, plastic/metals in a 75-litre reusable sack with ‘improved closure’ at the top and heavier weight in the bottom to reduce loss during adverse weather, and card in a 75-litre reusable sack with improved closure at the top and heavier weight in the bottom to reduce loss during adverse weather.

Changes to collection days for many households

The report to cabinet says a full review of collection days and routes is currently being undertaken, following the ‘well-established principles of zonal working’.

It adds: “To provide better balance it is anticipated that a large number of households will see a change in their scheduled collection day.

“This will affect up to 75 per cent of properties across the borough.

“The modelling is also taking account of new and proposed housing developments to ensure efficiencies are maximised both now and in the future.

“The modelling will be completed by May 2023, and then verified by the collection teams.”