2019

RSC1061 - Delivery of new/replacement bins - 240619

A member authority is interested in hearing how other local authorities deal with the delivery of new/replacement bins They are interested to receive information from authorities about the following:

• Do you charge for new/replacement bins?
• What vehicles do you use?
• How often do you deliver daily/weekly?
• Approximately how many bins are delivered each week?
• How many crew members to each vehicle?
• Do they work a shift pattern?
• Do you have a designated crew who deliver them?
• Is the public allowed to collect them from you?
• Do you repair bins/lids/wheels?

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RSC1059 - Public Spaces Protection Order signage - 140619

A member local authority has introduced a Public Spaces Protection Order and would like to know what signage is used by other local authorities to tackle defecation and urination in parks?

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RSC1058 - Theft From Household Waste Recycling Centres - 140619

A member authority is suffering from an increase in break-ins and theft from one of our HWRCs. Textiles and now WEEE are being targeted on almost a nightly basis. The perpetrators regularly damage fencing and security systems and are not bothered about being picked up on camera. Our site operators have had little success getting the police to attend at the time of them reporting the break-ins. The perpetrators are that belligerent that they have intimidated security staff and Site Operator Managers who have attended in response to break-ins.

• We would welcome information around any effective site security measures that have been put in place by other authorities to deter break-ins, and/or than have led to the successful arrest/prosecution of offenders.
• We are looking at developing a Problem Orientated Partnership Plan with the Police and would like to hear from other LA’s that may have gone down this route and who are happy to share their successes with us from this.

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RSC1057 - Cleaning of public rights of way - 100619

A member authority is interested to discover what do other local authorities do with regards to the cleansing of Public Rights of Way and un-adopted roads? Is this a service that is still provided as part of the regular scheduling within street cleansing?

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RSC1056 - Recycling of mattresses - 100619

A local Authority is reviewing the recycling of mattresses from recycling centres. The enquiring Council disposes of approximately 8,000 units per annum which equates to approximately 194 tonnes They are interested to know if any other local Authority currently recycle mattresses? If so, are the mattresses recycled at a unit (per mattress cost) or a cost per tonne. Would Authorities be willing to share the tender cost for recycling their mattresses?

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RSC1055 - Maintenance cost of landscape features - 160519

They currently use a formula of 10% of the construction cost x by the life expectancy They are interested to know how others calculate this and or is there a schedule of rates that can be applied for different landscape types / features For example:

• Cost of the MUGA: = £40,000 • Annual Maintenance Costs: 10% of cost, which equals £4,000 This would cover the repairs and the inspections (both annual and regular inspections during the course of the year)
• Lifespan for a MUGA is expected to be 20 years. =£4,000 x 20= £80,000 Total estimated cost= £80,000.

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RSC1054 - Separate glass kerbside collections - 160519 

This APSE member council is about to go through some citywide glass collection containment changes. They are therefore keen to learn from best practice in other APSE member local authorities that have successfully reviewed their glass collection containers.

• What glass containers are currently being used for street bins?
• What kerbside glass containers are currently being used for kerbside collections?
• What capacities are being used, 240L, 360L or 1100L?
• Where there any logged incidents relating to container size that swayed the decision-making process?

If you have recently carried out a similar exercise which involved changing your collections containers and rejected any options, they would be interested to hear from you.

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RSC1053 - Use of reversing assistants when in cab reversing technology has been installed – 020519

A member authority is looking to procure reversing safety aids for the waste collection fleet and would be keen to understand any other authorities reversing policies. At this time manoeuvres are left to the drivers discretion. What approach do other authorities have in relation to use of reversing assistants when in cab camera systems have been installed?

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RSC1052 - Definition of incomplete collection rounds - 020519

A member authority is seeking information on the following: Domestic Waste Round Completion Rate PI – they wish to understand from other authorities the definition of ‘round complete’

• is a round still defined as complete where streets have not been completed due access issues/road works etc? Or,
• do authorities only count a round as incomplete where the issue is attributable to service i.e. vehicle breakdown

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RSC1051 - 4 day working week recycling and waste services - 290419

A member authority is considering working a 4 day week for recycling and waste services and would be interest to know the following information:

• Who works a 4 day week
• What days they work
• What hours they work
• Do they work group task and finish
• Do they have a report from introduction they are willing to share

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RSC1050 - Adoption of elements of public realm - 210619

A member authority is looking at implementing a scheme that encourages local residents to “adopt a street, tree and/or piece of public land” within the borough. We would like to know whether any other authorities operate such a scheme and if so, we’d be interested to hear:-

• how the scheme works
• how the scheme is managed
• how it complements/supports the Council’s services
• the financial costs associated with running the scheme
• the advantages and disadvantages of the scheme

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RSC1049 - Pigeon fouling - 150419

A member authority is looking into the issue of pigeon fouling. They would be interested to hear how other local authorities deal with this problem, in particular:

• How do you tackle the problems of pigeon fouling in the town centres?
• Do you use control methods and if so what?
• Do you have increased cleaning schedules for affected areas?

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RSC1048 - Text service for service disruption – 210319

A member authority is looking for information about authorities that have introduced a text message communication service to pro-actively inform residents on e.g. missed collections, service disruption (inclement weather / vehicle breakdowns etc.) for household waste.

• The nature and operation of the service
• Resource requirements
• Impact on customer satisfaction and any reduced demand on contact centres

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RSC1047 - Use of Radio Frequency Identification systems for gauging participation rates in recycling collections - 210319

A local authority is looking to use using Radio Frequency identification (RFID) and bin weighing technologies, to gather data on household participation in kerbside collections of dry recycling and food waste. They are interested to hear from any local authorities who are already using this technology and any comments (pro and cons) on the benefits of their use in participation monitoring. They would like to know which system is being used and who the supplier is.

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RSC1046 - Outsourcing of bin deliveries - 180319

A member authority is interested in finding out if any other authorities outsource bin deliveries? If yes:

• How many properties are in scope?
• Approximately how many bins are delivered each week?
• Does the contractor provide their own vehicles? If so, how many?
• How many crew to each vehicle?
• Do they work a shift pattern?

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RSC1045 - Separate glass collections – 180319

A member authority is considering collecting glass separately ( preferably at a lower frequency) than from the current comingled collections fortnightly. They are interested to receive information from those authorities who:

• collect glass separately
• what vehicles they use and
• how often do they collect the glass
• what container do they use to collect the glass?

Are there any issues with staff collecting glass from a manual handling perspective or noise perspective?

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RSC1044 - Use of electric road sweepers – 140319

A member authority is considering the use of Electric Road sweepers for their operation and would be interested to know if any authorities are currently using or have any information from demos etc.?

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RSC1043 - Customer Services traing for HWRC staff – 140319

A member authority is presently working with their contractors to provide service specific customer service training for all site personnel at their seven HWRCs, and are interested in any information or guidance from anyone who has done anything similar. Their primary aim is to improve the customer experience and in turn customer satisfaction. With this in mind they are interested to hear from anyone who has tailored, provided or given any customer service training to HWRC personnel. If so are you willing to share details/presentations/handouts etc? Where training was provided, was it provided in-house or external. If external are you able to share the names of the companies used, and would you recommend them. Any information, advice, documents or presentations which you are able to share would be greatly appreciated.

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RSC1042 - Asbestos - 260219

A member authority is asking for help with dealing Asbestos. They are interested in answers to the following questions:

1. Is Asbestos a problem in your area?

2. Do you accept Asbestos on your HWRC’s (Civic Amenity Sites)?

3. Do you collect fly tipped Asbestos or use external contractors?

4. Do you have any policies on how to deal with fly tipped Asbestos?

5. How do you deal with a skip that has been contaminated with Asbestos at your HWRC?

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RSC1041 - Festive lighting displays - 260219

A member authority is keen to learn if Council provide festive lighting displays? Yes/No If so, can you advise what type of displays are included:-

• Christmas Trees and decorations Yes/No
• Pole Mounted displays Yes/No
• Street Arches Yes/No
• Other please specify.

Who carries out the erection/installation of these displays e.g. Outside Contract, Part Contract or In-house?

What is the population and the approximate cost / budget for each major town or village where lighting displays are provided?

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RSC1040 - Use of RCV/Midi RCV's – 190219

A member authority is requesting information on whether any local authorities have experience of utilising RCVs/midi-RCVs in their areas? If so, how has this worked out and would you recommend other local authorities to implement/buy in their own vehicle to complement the work they do for their customers?

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RSC1039 - Streetscene staff checking in bins before they are emptied - 190219

A member authority are keen to find out what other councils are doing regarding checking bins for rough sleepers before they are emptied. The member authority are interested in gaining information in relation to the procedures and risk assessments that other councils have in place to mitigate the risk of ensuring any people in containers do not end up in the vehicle.

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RSC1037 - Introducing shorts as PPE during summer months - 140219

A member authority is considering introducing shorts as part of our PPE during the summer months for their Waste / Recycling Operational Staff and would be interested in the following information:

1. Do you include shorts as part of your PPE allocation?

2. Has this had an impact on staff morale?

3. Do staff prefer wearing them during summer months?

4. Have you experienced any issues with staff wearing them?

5. Do you collect bagged side waste?

6. Would you be happy to share your risk assessment with us?

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RSC1036 - Delivery models for road-sweeping services - 050219

This APSE member authority is currently considering future options for the delivery of its’ road sweeping service. They would be interested to hear from other APSE member councils about how they deliver this service and the reasons for the chosen delivery method:-

• Is this service delivered in-house or through a contract arrangement?
• Is it delivered as part of the overall arrangements for street cleansing or is road sweeping delivered as a separate element of the service
• Please provide details of the service cost if available (e.g. per kilometer or road swept)

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RSC1035 - Recycling old and damaged wheeled bins - 300119

A member authority is looking for information on recycling Waste & Recycle wheelie bins. Their old and damaged domestic 180L / 240L bins can be recycled, except for the rubber wheels and they wish to know if other authorities have this problem and if so, what do they do with the rubber wheels?

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RSC1034 - Seabins - 300119

The Seabin is a floating rubbish bin that is located in the water at marinas, docks, yacht clubs and commercial ports. A member authority is considering their use and would therefore be interested in the following information:

1. Have you purchased a seabin

2. How many do you have

3. Do they work well

4. Have you experienced any issues with them

5. How much do they cost

6. Any promotional value

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RSC1033 - Waste collectors - balancing operational needs with holiday entitlements – 220119

A member authority is currently reviewing its process for front line Waste Service Operatives leave entitlement. They are looking for information on how other local authorities look at balancing their operational requirement to ensure they are fully staffed up on a daily basis in order to complete collections, whilst at the same time also considering the work life balance of their operatives being able to take leave at a reasonable time of year. Any information on how these considerations are made would be very welcome.

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RSC1032 - Festive working practices in Waste – 220119

This local authority are looking to review their Festive period working practices for 2019 and onwards, and would like to hear views on the following questions from any local authority who operate in-house collections:

1. What days off do crews get over the Christmas and New Year periods? (Domestic and commercial collections)

2. What incentives do they get to work? (i.e. time and half, double time, TOIL, finish and knock)

3. What consultation do you have with the crews and unions regarding the working patterns over the Festive period?

4. Do you review your arrangements yearly or is it fixed for a number of years?

5. Do you see a spike in sickness over the Festive period, and if so, what consequences do the offenders face?

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RSC1031 - Reviewing trade waste collection services – 160119

A member authority is currently reviewing its trade waste system and is keen to receive information on the following:

• What commercial services fall under Environmental Services?
• What is turnover and profit on them?
• What marketing tools are currently being used and of these, which is the most effective marketing tool?
• If anyone is operating Bartec Trade Module, could we please receive feedback on whether the system is effective and what are the advantages and flaws of the system?
• Have any authorities developed their own IT system to operate/control trade waste?
• What are the most effective actions for commercial waste collection service that were taken to maximise profit?
• Are any of authorities collecting trade waste outside their boundaries, and if so, are there any official agreements with neighbouring authorities in place to collect trade waste?

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RSC1030 - Use of Controlled Waste Regulations to make charges for collection/disposal of waste - 160119

A member authority is undertaking work on their fees and charges and are interested in how other Local Authorities use the Controlled Waste Regulations to make charges for collection and/or disposal of waste from different property types, in particular if any Authorities have any local decisions to charge differently to the regulations and their reasoning for this. They are looking for information on the following:

• Do other LAs charge for collection and disposal in line with the Controlled Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2012 where possible to maximise income potential?
• Do some LAs make local decisions not to charge for certain collections (i.e. schools) and why?
• What % of the LLPG schedule are charged in line with the Regulations by LAs?

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RSC1029 - Composition of litter bin contents and dropped litter types – 110119

APSE Solutions is trying to establish which (if any) councils analyse the composition of litter – both from bins and dropped. We would be grateful if you could answer the following questions.

• Have you carried out a compositional analysis of litter collected in street bins?
• If so when was the last time you did this and how often do you do it?
• Have you carried out a compositional analysis of dropped litter?
• If so when was the last time you did this and how often do you do it?
• Regarding litter dropped, as well as composition, do you record information on the brand name of the litter dropped and if so could this be included in your ‘composition of dropped litter’ response.
• If you do not currently carry out compositional analysis of litter can you say why not and would you be interested in doing so if the resources were available?

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RSC1028 - Incentives for collection crews to drive down recycling contamination - 110119

In the New Year a member authority is planning to address contamination levels in co-mingled recycling collections. Although they have worked with the collection crews on this issue in the past, they have ongoing concerns that the crews are not regularly lifting the lids of the recycling bins to check for contamination. Do other authorities have incentives for crews to improve performance and if so how?

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RSC1027 - Litter bins being used incorrectly - 030119

A member authority is wishing to know whether any other local authorities have an issue with either commercial waste, or household waste in litter bins (black bags or carrier bags of waste originating from a home rather than on the go waste). If so how do you deal with this and is there any enforcement action? Any information or copies of policy especially would be gratefully received.

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RSC1026 – Christmas Package Payments – 030119

A member authority is currently looking at a number of cost saving initiatives within their service and one consideration is to cease the Christmas package payment that is paid to all waste collection operatives who work over the Christmas and New Year period. Currently this package means that in return for completing all work in a defined period, the operatives receive a one off payment - in addition to the overtime. They would be interested to hear how other authorities cope during the Christmas and New Year period and how you organise / incentivise your waste collection service to ensure:- • That all waste and recycling is cleared during this period without causing “inconvenience” to residents in having to wait another week for their collections, • With minimal impact on the public realm (ie; dumped black sacks, excess waste, resulting litter etc) • Minimal impact on the budget/wage bill

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RSC1025 - Local authority wheeled bin cleaning service - 080219

A member authority would be interested to know if any councils offer or carry out bin cleaning services? Is this provided free or charged? If charged what charges are for different size bins 140 240 360 Euro Bins etc.