Archived decisions

Contact: Adrian Lee, ext 7004 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report describes the draft Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy (JMWMS) which has been prepared on behalf of the Project Integra (PI) network to guide the future delivery of waste and resource management in Hampshire. It recommends approval of the strategy in principle, subject to a full financial assessment of the preferred option in order to ensure that service provision is affordable and provides best value.

2. The Project Integra Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy

2.1 A `core strategy' document has been prepared by consultants on behalf of the PI network. The document will be available in the Members Rooms and for public inspection at the Information Centre in Winchester. It can also be viewed on the Project Integra website www.integra.org.uk. The strategy has been developed in the context of the Hampshire Material Resources Strategy (MRS) and Hampshire County Council's draft land-use policy framework, the Minerals and Waste Development Framework. The MRS is an overarching strategy which has informed the Minerals and Waste Development Framework, the JMWMS and the Natural Resources Initiative. It is set out in the stakeholder document "More from Less", produced in March 2005. In addition, the document has taken account of appropriate national and regional guidance for both waste strategy and planning policy issues. As with the MRS, it covers the period to 2020.

2.2 The document notes many of the contextual issues and drivers for change which are referred to in the MRS. These include the:

(i) finite resources available for waste management;

(ii) predicted volume and composition of future waste streams;

(iii) legislative drivers including the imperative to divert more waste from landfill; and

(iv) public expectations and Government targets for improving recycling.

2.3 The key issues and options have been presented to stakeholders at an MRS Workshop and have been submitted to statutory consultees.

2.4 Five options have been developed, ranging from pursuing the `status quo' to increasing commercial waste collections, maximising the range of materials collected and `stretching options' which seek a combination of activities.

2.5 The preferred option which has emerged from a Strategic Environmental Assessment, is one with the following features:

(i) Household Collections

Kerbside collections from dwellings of a wide range of materials, including paper, cans, plastic bottles, glass and textile; promote home composting of green waste and the use of food digesters for bio-waste and facilitate provision of enhanced facilities at Household Waste Recycling Centres for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment.

(ii) Commercial Recycling

Provide and/or facilitate collection and processing capacity to optimise the collection of recyclables from the commercial sector (recyclables that are similar in nature to those arising from the municipal waste stream).

(iii) Waste Growth

Seek to reduce the growth of domestic waste to 1% or less by 2010 and to 0.5% by 2020.

(iv) Treatment of Residual Waste

Provide thermal treatment (energy from waste) for at least 420,000 tonnes per annum (the current capacity in Hampshire) with excess residual waste being sent to landfill in the short term and in the longer term being dealt with by further treatment (biological, thermal, physical or chemical) when such facilities have had time to be brought `on stream'.

(v) Landfill

In the longer term pre-process all household waste with residues only being sent to landfill.

2.6 The preferred option adopts regional targets to reduce waste growth to 1% per year by 2010 and 0.5% by 2020. It seeks to achieve the following targets for recycling and composting of all waste:

_ 50% by 2010

_ 55% by 2015

_ 60% by 2020.

These figures include a target of 50% recycling for municipal waste by 2010.

2.7 The preferred option has emerged because:

(i) it is in the spirit of the "More from Less" document in seeking to meet stretched performance targets;

(ii) it provides minimum reliance on landfill;

(iii) it has the most beneficial effect on emissions to air;

(iv) it presents some significant employment opportunities at pre-treatment facilities;

(v) it does not rely on export of waste and so has minimum impact outside Hampshire;

(vi) it provides for a proactive approach to providing recycling services for SME;

(vii) it promotes maximum use of finite resources;

(viii) it promotes the use of alternative energy sources (energy from waste) and reduces energy requirements for manufactured products. Recycled materials such as aluminium, glass and paper require less energy than the use of virgin materials; and

(ix) the document sets out 14 policies and actions which seek to support delivery of the preferred option and meet the overall objectives of the strategy. These reflect similar policies and actions in "More from Less".

3. Commentary

3.1 The assessment process for the JMWMS does not include cost and resource issues, so implementation and delivery of the strategy will need to be preceded by a full financial assessment of the preferred option. It is suggested that this process should be achieved through development of the Project Integra Annual Business Plan process.

3.2 This will allow continued scrutiny and liaison with PI to ensure that its objectives and targets are tempered with a detailed study of the costs and other impacts of delivery. An effective business case will need to be prepared for new infrastructure proposals and new systems.

3.3 In addition, the Strategy relies for its delivery on the effective participation and support of residents and business, including supermarkets, in recycling and reuse activities across the county. It is suggested that an additional policy be added to the Strategy which commits Project Integra to the continuation of its Behavioural Change Strategy, currently being delivered under the name of `Recycle for Hampshire'.

3.4 The Strategy reflects much of the content of the Government's recently published proposals for revising the national waste strategy. The national strategy recommends taking a "resource management" approach to managing waste and greater integration of the management of municipal and household waste and other business waste. The JMWMS leads on the practical application of the new national direction for waste management.

3.5 In principle, it is recommended that the JMWMS is agreed and the preferred option supported. The JMWMS may require factual amendments to meet the requirements of the revised National Waste Strategy which has recently been published for consultation.

4. Impact Assessments

4.1 Assessment of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act has been considered in this response but no adverse impact has been identified in terms of race, creed or gender.

Recommendations

1. That the Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy be agreed and the preferred option, as detailed in paragraph 2.5, be supported in principle.

2. That the Director of Environment be authorised, in consultation with the Executive Member for Environment: South Hampshire and Resource Management, to agree any minor amendments to the Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy to take account of changes required arising from the publication of the revised National Waste Strategy and Project Integra Board discussions.

3. That a full financial assessment of the preferred option, including detailed research and business case studies for the development of any new systems or processes required for the development and implementation of the preferred option, be pursued through the Project Integra Annual Business Plan process.

4. The County Council notes the importance of encouraging residents and businesses to support the Strategy by participating in recycling and reuse activities and suggests an additional policy, with appropriate supporting text, to provide for the continuation of Project Integra's Behavioural Change Strategy.

885Rpt/AWL