2019 (Part 2)

RSC1113 - Waste and Recycling performance - 021219

A member authority is looking to gather feedback for the following: Waste • How many missed bins per week is an average for your LA? • Are you collections Mon-Fri? • Are households collected weekly, fortnightly? • Approx. how many households are collected from per week? • What is your investment of total hours per week? • Is your waste service in-house or external? Recycle • What are your current recycle conversion rates for plastics? • Do you operate kerbside boxes or bins? • What is your investment of total hours per week? • Are you collections Mon-Fri? • Are households collected weekly, fortnightly? • Approx. how many households are collected from per week? • Is your recycle service in-house or external?

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RSC1112 - Number plate recognition technology in Household Waste Recycling Centres - 021219

A member authority is looking for assistance regarding finding out further information about the use of number plate recognition technology. They are looking to use this technology in their new Household Waste Recycling Centre and would like to ask the following: Have any authorities used number plate recognition technology, if they have:

• Has the technology been used to control vehicle access and collect data
• Does it provide any other useful information
• What was the cost of the product and installation

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RSC1111 - Electric vacuum street cleansing sweepers - 251119

A member local authority is wishing to find out whether other local authorities operate electric Vacuum Cleaners for sweeping the streets? They are particularly keen to discover:

• What type of areas you operate this equipment in? High Footfall?
• Has it resulted in the locations being cleaner?
• Has it allowed the operator to cover an increased area or deliver a better service within the current location.
• How reliable has the daily battery charge been?
• How robust was the suction hose when dealing with glass and other sharp objects?
• Have you had any issues with the equipment when sweeping up any other items such as cigarette ends?
• Have you had any significant costs associated with repair or maintenance of the equipment?

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RSC1110 - Street cleansing equipment profile - 201119

A member authority is currently reviewing their cleansing services and as part of their learning they are keen for information regarding equipment profile, in particular:

• How many Large mechanical sweepers do you operate?
• How many Pavement sweepers do you operate?
• How many walk along powered sweepers do you operate ( green machine type )
• How many hand barrows do you operate?
• Approximate linear mileage that you cleanse – if known.

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RSC1109 - Back door / assisted collections - 201119

This authority would like to know what criteria do Councils request before offering a back door/assisted collection for general/recycling bins, and how is it verified?

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RSC1108 - Information regarding refuse vehicles with low entry cabs - 181119

A member authority is looking for information from local authorities who operate Refuse vehicles with low entry cabs (Mercedes Econic etc), with bus doors, can they confirm:-

1. What is the approved method of dismounting from the cab for crew/loaders?

2. Does this risk assessment require the vehicle to be fitted with one or more handholds etc.

3. Are the vehicles fitted with an interlock on the vehicle’s brakes to prevent the vehicle from moving until the door is fully closed?

4. Is the crew’s bus door fitted with interlock to prevent opening until the vehicle has completely stopped and Handbrake applied?

5. Are there any other controls in place to minimise risk of Crews being injured by the vehicle after they dismount?

6. For those members who also operate Dennis Refuse vehicles with bus doors, do they any additional control issues in place for this particular vehicle type?

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RSC1107 - Service request and street cleaning operative ratios - 181119

A member authority is looking for information regarding how many request for service other member authorities receive for street cleansing and grounds maintenance as a ratio of population numbers. They would also be interested to receive information on the ratio of street sweepers against number of properties.

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RSC1106 - Graffiti on telecommunication boxes– 131119

A member authority is interested in finding out whether other local authorities have had problems with graffiti on green telecommunication cabinets, and what steps they have taken to remedy this. Specifically, they would like to know whether other local authorities have used artists, community art projects or private companies to decorate such cabinets as a preventative measure to stop such graffiti. And if so, did these measures have the desired effect.

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RSC1105 - Community management of parks toilets - 131119

A member authority is enquiring whether any local authority has any good examples of where they have engaged with and mobilised the local community to open up the toilet facilities in a park which have previously had to be closed due to inappropriate use? They are looking to find a way to do this without introducing a charge to the end user. Any suggestions, insight or information would be gratefully received.

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RSC1104 - Suspending domestic garden and food waste collections over the festive period – 111119

This authority would like to ask others if they suspend domestic garden and food waste collections over the festive period, and if so for how long and what response/feedback do they get from householders?

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RSC1103 - Contingency plans for temporary or long term failure of contractor - 111119

Two member councils have recently entered into a long term collection contract and need to ensure that a robust contingency plan to cover any temporary or long term failure of the contractor. Our questions are therefore aimed at authorities whose collection services are outsourced:

1. Do other authorities have a plan that they would be willing to share for adaptation which covers any temporary or long term failure of the contractor and includes a potential exit strategy should the contract be terminated early?

2. Do other authorities have a plan that they would be willing to share for adaptation which includes an exit strategy for the end of the contract period.

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RSC1102 - Monitoring processes for waste and recycling - 301019

A member authority is reviewing their monitoring processes for waste and recycling collections and would be interested to learn of the regimes other authorities have in place. They are particularly interested to receive any performance indicators that have been introduced to measure how operatives comply with risk assessments, Safe Systems of Work, road safety etc.’

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RSC1101 - Mechanical sweeping of roads classified above 40 mph speed limit - 301019

A member authority is interested to receive information regarding the mechanical cleansing of roads classified above 40mph speed limit. They would be interested to know what member authorities do with regards to advanced signage when mechanically cleansing roads outside of 40mph zones. Also they would like to know if operatives are required to place advanced warning signage out before sweeping or do they just rely on the directional arrow and beacons on the sweeper?

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RSC1100 - Strategy to reduce/ eliminate the use of polystyrene take away boxes - 171019

A member authority is looking to develop a strategy to reduce (and eventually eliminate) the use of polystyrene take away boxes in their district. They would like to hear from other authorities who may already have such a strategy in place they would be willing to share.

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RSC1099 - Night time economies and waste collection in town centres – 171019

A member authority is interested in the following information.

1 - Due to changes in the night-time economy, late night opening for shops and leisure, have you changed your approach to waste collection / street cleansing operations in your town centres, if so how?

2 - Has any authority successfully introduced alternatives to bag collections in town centres, where bin storage space is an issue?

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RSC1098 - Barcoding technology for waste collections – 141019

This local authority would like to know if other member authorities use any form of barcoding technology for waste collections? If yes, is it accompanied with any software and if so can you provide any details?

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RSC1097 - Improving collection round efficiency - 141019

A member authority has seen significant development in the borough over recent years and have not increased resources to match growth since 2015/16. They are in the process of considering expanding the resources within their waste collection service (vehicles and operatives) in order to obtain optimum efficiency from their crews carrying out the daily collection rounds. Therefore they would like to know :-

• How other authorities calculate round capacity and decide when additional rounds are required (do they have a basic formula that they apply?)
• How other authorities currently deliver their collection services – weekly/fortnightly
• The average pass rate/number of properties collected from per round (on average)
• Whether they double shift their vehicles

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RSC1096 - External Dash Cam footage use to help reduce flytipping - 031019

This local authority is interested to hear from other member authorities regarding the use of external dash cam footage in helping to clamp down on flytipping. In particular they are interested to hear:-

1. If authorities are/ have previously used or are considering using this type of footage (e.g. footage from taxi drivers) to help with cases of flytipping? If you are or have used previously:-

2. What is/ was the process for obtaining the footage?

3. What was the outcome, in particular any successes in relation to enforcement and education/ prevention messaging?

4. If no longer in use, why was the decision taken to stop using this type of footage?

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RSC1095 - Dog waste bags - 031019

This local authority is interested to hear from other member authorities regarding the provision of dog waste bags: In particular they are interested to hear:-

1. Does your authority provide dog waste bags?

2. Do you charge for dog waste bags?

3. What is charge?

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RSC1094 - Increasing trade waste market share - 270919

A member authority is enquiring whether any LA’s have significantly increased their trade waste service market share in recent years – and if so, what has been their strategy for doing so? They would also be interested to know how local authorities have competed against the private sector to encourage customers to come with them, as opposed to a competitor?

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RSC1093 - Strategies for individual street scene services - 270919

A member authority is enquiring whether other authorities managing Street Scene services have a standard suite of strategies for this particular service area. These could cover street cleansing, fly tipping, graffiti removal, grounds maintenance, arboriculture work, parks & open spaces and play areas. These strategies would be service specific and would link into higher level corporate strategies.

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RSC1092 - Separate containers for food waste collections - 230919

A member authority is keen to hear from other member authorities which have a separate food waste collection service using caddy containers (around 23 litre capacity) or uses similar containers for other waste/recycling services They are particularly interested in finding out the about the following.:

• Has any LA found they have issues with containers blowing over/around the streets? Especially after they have been emptied.

If so, what have you put in place

• a) operationally what instruction is given to crews on how to leave the containers?
• b) communication wise to minimise this happening? What advice do you give to residents on how to present the containers?
• Has any Member Authority used a particular specification (such as weighted bottom containers), if so would they share the detail of these?
• Total number of food caddy containers that have been replaced within the last financial year?

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RSC1090 - Removal of community skips - 230919

A member authority is looking to gather some data from other authorities that use community skips. They are particularly interested in hearing from authorities that have provided community skips and then removed them due to issues. They wish to know:

• Were the skips manned
• Was it a mobile service or static
• Were there any safety issues
• Were there issues with contamination
• Was it adopted to replace bulky waste collections or address fly-tipping
• Was it adopted in urban or rural areas
• How well utilised was the service
• Was the service costly to administer
• Were skips purchased or hired
• Were conventional or walk in skips used?
• Was the type of waste that could be deposited limited
• Was the quantity of waste limited
• Did householders need to provide ID or proof of residence

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RSC1089 - Collection of bins from Church Yards/Cemeteries/Church Halls - 200919

A member authority is interested to receive information from those authorities who collect waste from church yards/cemeteries/church halls. In particular they interested to know:

• How often do you collect?
• How many bins are allowed for each church yards/cemeteries/church halls?
• Do you charge for this service?

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RSC1088 - Automatic Number plate recognition systems for Household Waste Recycling Centres - 160919

A member authority is looking to gain insight into other Local Authorities with reference to:

• Do other LA’s Household Waste Recycle Centres use an ANPR or barrier system for traffic management, rather than manning lanes physically?
• Do LA’s have contact details for suppliers?
• Approx. how many vehicles use their facility per week?

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RSC1086 - Operating refuse collection service/ fleet - 160919

A member authority is enquiring about those members that operate their own internal Refuse Collection Service/Fleet, in particular:

1. How many allow the Crew to go home once task/route is complete?

Of those working this pattern:-

a. How long have you been operating this pattern?

b. What do consider are the advantages/disadvantages of this work pattern?

c. Any additional controls or monitoring systems in use to ensure best practice use of vehicles?

d. do you have plans to move away from this pattern in the future – if Yes what reasons? Any particular pattern you are replacing this with?

2. For those that do not operate the above pattern what data gathering do you have in place to measure performance, efficiency?

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RSC1085 - Residual side waste policies - 170919

A member local authority has a refuse issue with regards to side waste. As such they are exploring what policies other local authorities use to manage/enforce side waste. Therefore they are interested to discover:

• Do you have a Side Waste Policy (side waste is deemed as surplus refuse, which the residents place next to the refuse bin on the day of collection & is normally is bagged)?
• How do you enforce the policy?
• How is your side waste managed, from an operational view: ie is it collected by the refuse team/s or is it collected by a separate team?

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RSC1084 - Acceptable number of missed bins and actual number of missed bins - 170919

A member authority is looking for information regarding the maximum number of missed bins that individual local authorities deem as acceptable and how this compare to the number actually reported as missed? Obviously authorities would like to have no missed bins but realistically with the daily obstructions and operational issues facing waste collection services this is not always possible. Therefore the enquiring authority is looking to gain an understanding of the level of missed bins local authorities feel is acceptable taking such issues under consideration and their actual performance against this target.

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RSC1083 - Measuring performance of service providers - 100919

A member authority is keen to know how other local authorities measure the performance of their service providers in particular– Street Cleansing, Street Lighting Repairs, Highway Maintenance (Footways and Carriageways), Gully Cleansing, Road Markings. They would be particularly interested in the following information:

• Have you developed key performance indicators
• Can you provide details of any benchmarking used

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RSC1082 - Managing the collection and disposal of fly-tipped materials - 060919

A member authority is keen to find out from other authorities how they manage their fly tipped waste collection and disposal, with particular reference to the following points:

• How the work is scheduled i.e. timed response collect within x days, or collection by geographical area i.e. every Thursday collect fly tips from ….., or something else?
• Who collects the material i.e. dedicated teams, area teams or other method of collection?
• Is the material separated on the vehicle for recycling?
• If the waste is a mixture of fly-tipped and litter when it goes to the disposal site – how is this categorised and weighed? • How is the material unloaded and sorted at disposal site?
• And finally, what provisions are being made to reduce the carbon footprint of fly tip collection in the future?

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RSC1081 - Ear protection for recycling operatives - 060919

A member authority operating Romaquip vehicles currently expects all recycling operatives to wear ear protection when loading glass. Their operatives have queried this, claiming that the ear protection blocks out other noise and creates a risk to safety. They would be interested to see any risk assessments authorities have in place for the use of ear defenders, particularly if Romaquip (or similar) vehicles are used.

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RSC1080 - Combined Clean and Green Litter Strategies - 300819

A member authority would be interested to know if any other authorities have worked together to create a joint litter or clean and green strategy. The authority is particularly interested in hearing about any benefits working together has brought. They also enquiring, whether authorities have a single street cleansing strategy or a more holistic approach that encompasses all the street scene services together in one clean and green strategy.

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RSC1079 - Setting commercial rates for streetscene services - 300819

A member council is currently working up pricing strategies for external customers for their commercial Street Scene services. They would therefore be interested to receive any information as to how other councils have approached this , e.g. whether they use set schedules of rates, day works or price each potential client on a job by job basis etc. Any information would be gratefully received.

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RSC1078 - Route optimisation software for street cleansing - 190819

A member authority is interested to find out if any members are currently using, or have in the recent past used, route scheduling/optimisation software for street cleaning? If so they would be interested to know the following:

1. What were your expectations when purchasing the software?

2. Did/does the software meet those expectations?

3. Has the software allowed better control of resources and planning workloads?

4. Did/does the software cope with the multiple activities of street cleaning, including manual, teamwork and mechanical methods?

5. Do you have a dedicated officer operating/managing the software package?

6. Do you feel you are getting value for money with the package?

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RSC1077 - Removal of algae/tree sap from stone paving - 190819

A member authority has an issue with natural stone paving laid in shaded areas becoming slippery when wet due to the build-up of a film of algae and/or tree & shrub sap. The solution so far has been to jet wash the flags to renew their slip resistance but they don’t have the resources to clean them all year round. Have other authorities come across this problem and if so what has been their solution? Is anybody aware of any treatment on the market that can prevent the build-up of this film or at least restrict it whilst not detracting from the appearance of the paving?

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RSC1076 - Correct and proper usage of in-cab device regulations – 140819

A member authority would like to gain an insight into the operational procedures that are in place in relation to the correct and proper usage of an in cab device. In particular, how have authorities overcome regulations around the driver having proper control of the vehicle or having a full view of the road and traffic ahead.

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RSC1075 - Missed Waste Collections - 140819

A member authority is keen to find out from other authorities what their policies are regarding returning to collect any missed waste collections after 2 days. Do you have a standard policy for dealing with reports received you are happy to share, or do you deal with them on a case by case basis?

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RSC1074 - Use of 1100 litre wheeled bins for residual waste collection - 090819

A member authority is interested to hear from any local authority which uses 1100+ litre euro bins for communal residual waste collections in areas which have a high density population, but are not suitable for kerbside residual waste collections using traditional 240/360 litre wheeled bins.

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RSC1073 - Issues with side waste - 090819

A member authority has a refuse issue with regards to side waste. As such they are exploring what policies other local authorities use to manage/enforce side waste. They interested in gathering information from the following questions

• Do you have a Side Waste Policy (side waste is deemed as surplus refuse, which the residents place next to the refuse bin on the day of collection & is normally is bagged)
• How do you enforce the policy
• How is your side waste managed, from an operational view: i.e. is it collected by the refuse team/s or is it collected by a separate team

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RSC1072 - Criteria for assisted bin lifts - 070819

A member authority is looking for information from other local authority Councils in relation to Assisted Lift Policies. In particular they are interested in:

• What is the criteria for an approved Assisted Lift?
• What paperwork is requested from residents including any supporting medical information?
• Are the applications reviewed and if so how often? What paperwork is requested at review stage? 
• What process is in place for hard to access properties, such as long/uneven/tight private lane ways?

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RSC1071 - Violence and aggression towards staff - 070819

A member authority has recently had incidents of Violence and Aggression aimed at staff, and would like information from other local authorities on the following:

1. Have you trained staff to deal with Violence and Aggression?

2. Was this Internal/External training?

3. Do you have warning stickers on vehicles explaining about prosecution?

4. Any additional assistance you may have cameras/Police liaison /Private prosecution?

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RSC1070 - Risk Assessments and safe system of work for food collections - 220719

A member authority is interested to receive information from any local authority which has a risk assessment and safe system of work for food waste collections. Any risk assessment documentation would be greatly appreciated.

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RSC1069 - Service Standards for Street Cleansing and Maintenance - 170719

A member authority is currently planning to update its Service Standards for Streets and Grounds, and colleagues have been tasked to undertake the review with the aim to implement revised/updated Service Standards. They are therefore interested to receive information on any benchmarking carried out and best practice carried out by other Authorities in undertaking and creating Street and or Grounds Service Standards.

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RSC1068 - Job Roles/Descriptions for waste and recycling teams - 170719

A member authority would like to know information about the arrangements other local authorities have in place within their waste and recycling teams. They are currently looking at job descriptions but would be interested to know:

(i) What contracted hours waste and recycling drivers operate under?

(ii) What hours are specified in drivers contracts of employment?

(iii) Do other local authorities pay any form of contractual overtime?

(iv) if so, what rates do they pay?

(v) Are drivers and/or loaders employed on task and finish?

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RSC1067 - Problems with seagull droppings - 150719

A member authority is having problems with seagull droppings and would like to know how other local authorities deal with this problem, in particular:

• How do member authorities in coastal areas deal with seagull populations/issues?
• Do they deploy specialist machinery to assist with cleaning town centre areas (particularly in relation to blocked paved areas)and street furniture and if so what machinery do they use?
• What hours do operatives work to ensure town centre areas are cleansed throughout the day and is this service provided seven days a week?
• What initiatives if any do member authorities have in place to encourage partnership working with local business forums to address street cleansing issues in town centre areas?

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RSC1066 - Litter bin stock and future procurement - 150719

A member authority is currently reviewing its litter bin stock and future procurement decisions. They are therefore interested to learn about other local authorities approaches to this issue, in particular:

• Number of free standing litter bins and dog bins assets in their borough
• What type of litterbin do you currently use and install? – Please provide a full specification
• What manufacture makes the litterbin?
• What warranty period does the manufacturer give for anti-perforation?
• Retail cost of a unit.
• Capacity of litterbin.

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RSC1065 - Commercial dog walking on council property – 020719

A member authority is looking for information regarding commercial dog walking within other local authorities. They are particularly interested in the following information:

• Do any other Local Authorities have a cap on numbers for dogs walked by any one individual dog handler?
• Do any other Local Authorities charge for commercial dog walking operations to use Local Authority property?
• Do any other Local Authorities restrict times at any site for commercial dog walking operations?
• Do any other Local Authorities issue any kind of licence for commercial dog walking operations?
• Do any other Local Authorities have any PSPOs specific to numbers of dogs walked by an individual at any given site?

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RSC1064 - Use of Rotopress RCV'S - 260619

A member council is considering the purchase of a number of Faun Rotopress RCVs, which we have never used before. They would be interested to hear from any Councils that have had experience of operating such vehicles , in particular:

1. How long have you operated Rotopress vehicles?

2. Have you had any maintenance issues?

3. What waste streams have you used them on?

4. Have you experienced any operational difficulties?

5. Any other issues of note?

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RSC1063 - Collection of waste from rear entries - 260619

A member authority is keen to hear from other authorities as to how they deal with domestic waste presented in rear lanes and details on their current collection methods?

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RSC1062 - Bespoke nappy collection services - 240619

A member authority is conducting research about bespoke nappy collection services. They would be grateful for feedback from peer authorities within the APSE network who supply domestic nappy collection services on the following:

• What tonnage do you collect per annum?
• What is your policy for the collection of nappies?
• How does your service operate and how are the nappies collected?
• Who processes the collected items?
• What challenges have you encountered/lessons learned?