Agenda item

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report

            The purpose of this report is to inform members of phase two of the kerbside glass expansion scheme.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       Members are requested to approve the street list which will make up phase two of the kerbside glass expansion scheme, as outlined in the report.

3.0       Main report

3.1       In 2024, the Resources and Fleet Service was successful in obtaining capital funding under the DAERA Household Waste Collaborative Change Programme with regard to the expansion of its kerbside glass collections scheme.

3.12      This funding, combined with the Council’s capital programme, resulted in the implementation of phase one of this scheme which delivered a Lorna glass collection scheme to 23,000 households from Q4 2024/25. While initial scheme participation data is below expectations, the tonnage captured is on target, with approximately 35 kg/hh/pa equating to around 800 tonnes of glass per annum. The Service is also working on contingency measures for vehicle breakdown to ensure a more consistent approach to kerbside collections across the city.

3.13      The Service is now planning for phase two of the project which involves a further expansion to another 23,000 households. The Implementation phase involves the recruitment of collection crews, procurement of containers for both individual households and apartment blocks, procurement and leasing of vehicles, communication of the scheme to the selected households, assessment of apartments (if any within the selected areas) and finally delivery of containers followed by first collections.

3.14      The scheme roll-out commences with a letter drop to households within the agreed phase two catchment area. This letter will outline the key aspects of the initiative along with practical information such as collection day, frequency, accepted materials and start date. Within seven days of receiving the letter, households will be issued with a kerbside box and lid for the presentation of their glass containers at the kerbside. An information leaflet will also be included within the kerbside boxes reminding residents on the salient points of the scheme. Kerbside collections will then commence within ten working days of receiving the kerbside box.

3.15      Given the lead times associated with a number of these activities, in particular the purchase and receipt of containers, and mindful of the potential clash with collections arrangements for the Christmas 2025 season, it is envisaged that project implementation will commence in January and will be completed by March 2026.

3.16      Detailed route planning is still being finalised. Members are requested to approve the street lists so that further detailed planning can be completed. Members will also note that the agreement of phase two will by default result in the final phase three being those households still not receiving a kerbside glass scheme and subject to financial approval via the rates setting exercise, the final roll-out will include these households in the 26/27 financial year.

4.0       FinancialandResource Implications

4.1       The capital costs associated with phase two of the glass kerbside expansion scheme will be met by both the Council’s capital programme and DAERA’s Household Waste Recycling Collaborative Change Fund. Revenue costs will be met through the Service’s revenue estimates.”

            The Committee adopted the recommendations as set out. A full list of the streets included in the expansion of Phase 2 of the Scheme can be found in the attached link.