2020

RSC1187 - Charges for soil, rubble. plasterboard and asbestos – 151220

A member local authority has recently had a decision called in to charge for the disposal of soil, rubble, plasterboard and asbestos.

They would be interested to hear from other local authorities who levy charges that they would be willing to share with them to help the conversation around whether or not this is a suitable service to charge for.

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RSC1186 - Recording assisted collection details - 151220

A member authority is interested to know how do waste collection authorities check or confirm eligibility for assisted collections.

They are undergoing a review of their customer list and want to make sure that eligibility is clear, but they are interested to know how other authorities check and, use and store this information.

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RSC1181 - Garden waste assisted collections - 271120

Do authorities provide an assisted collection for garden waste bins and if so, do they limit the number of bins that a resident can have on an assisted basis?

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RSC1180 - Food and Glass collection services – 151220

A member authority is currently in the process of reviewing plans for a kerbside food waste and glass collection service on a weekly basis using a two-compartment vehicle.
They would be keen to hear from other local authorities who are currently undertaking the same or similar weekly food waste and glass collection service, with details of the following:-

• The type(s) of vehicle and partition sizes
• Method of Collection
• Types of Communication, promotions and their effectiveness
• Types of containers and their sizes
• Were there any issues with the container sizes
• Any contamination issues
  • If Contamination, how was this dealt with
• Frequency of collections
• Average weights per property per commodity per lift

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RSC1179 – Software to help manage daily skip movements at recycling centres – 181120

A member authority is looking at whether they can manage our daily skip movements at recycling centres using software.

Does anyone do this, and if so, can they provide details of the software and provider?

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RSC1178 - 4 weekly residual collections work

A member authority is looking for information as to which local authorities carry out a 4 weekly residual waste collection?

They are particularly interested in the following aspects:

• What challenges did LAs encounter when introducing this system?
• What communication and engagement strategies were most effective when explaining the introduction of this collection method?

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RSC1177- Reducing the number of missed bins caused by impaired access e.g utilities work

A member authority is currently in the process of trying to understand the impacts of roadworks and temporary road closures on refuse collection and what can be done to negate or reduce the number of missed bin collections that result from impaired access.

They are therefore interested to know:

“What measures, if any, has your authority put in place for minimising the impact of roadworks and road closures on refuse collection.  Specifically, what contact or arrangements do you have with utility companies to help ensure access is maintained for refuse collection vehicles during any road closures, and how do you keep residents informed of any temporary adjustments to refuse collection service provision”.

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RSC1176- Recycling on the Go

A member authority would like to hear from other authorities who have introduced Recycling on the Go facilities in their area.

They are particularly interested to know the following:

1. What materials  do you offer to recycle 
2. How you manage contamination – is this handpicked before taken to the transfer station?
3. Do you find the recycling is too contaminated to process as such
4. What type of bins worked best?
5. Any tips on locations/emptying regime?
6. What impact has Recycling on the Go had on normal  litter bin tonnages/what was the % split

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RSC1175 – Charges for clinical waste collections – 181120

A member authority would like to know if any councils charge for clinical waste collections and, if so, how much?

They would also be interested to know if different charges are implemented for different types of clinical waste.

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RSC1174 - Increase in waste disposal as a result of Covid-19 - 131020

A member authority is interested to know if other local authorities seeing a significant rise in waste disposal figures (residual and recycling) as a result of Covid19 and more people working from home, lockdown measures and restrictions on business, pubs, restaurants etc.?

If so:

1. What percentage increase over the past six months for each waste stream (residual and recycling)?
2. How has this impacted budgets?
3. Are authorities predicting this to continue for the second half of the financial year?
4. What measures are being taken to address the problem?

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RSC1173 - Missed Bin provision – 131020

This local authority would like to know if other member Councils provide a missed bin collection service for domestic households? 

If the answer is ‘No’ could you also please confirm:-

1. What is the collection frequency of your refuse collections?
2. What is the collection frequency of your recycling collections?
3. How does your Council deal with customer complaints about missed bins? 
4. Do you collect additional waste during the next scheduled collection?
5. Does your Council record the number of missed bins reported?  If ‘Yes', what was the annual average per 100,000 households reported during 2019/2020?

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RSC1171 - COVID-19 restrictions on HWRC's and impact on vehicle numbers being able to access sites - 051020

A member authority is requesting information regarding capacity on Household Waste and Recycling Centres and how this has reduced the capacity of vehicles on-site due to COVID-19?

In particular, they wish to know

• What measures have been put in place to maximise users on-site but ensure safe social distancing?
  • How other LA’s have calculated maximum capacity?
• How much has capacity on site reduced to comply with social distancing?
• If, since reopening, this has been reassessed and what criteria was used to reassess?
  • If reassessed what capacity is now?

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RSC1170 - Litter Bin Placement Policy  – 150920

A member authority would like to know what other authorities do regarding bin placement.

• Do you have strategies or policies which determine where a bin is placed? if so what?
• How do you pre determine the capacity or the type of bin to put in?
• Do you use bins as a routine control of litter levels or have you used alternatives to solve or reduce litter issues?
• Do you remove bins as part of your current strategy or policy?
• Have any authorities conducted investigations into whether the removal of bins has had a detrimental or positive effect?
• How do other authorities find that bins impact resource demand and do they have to schedule visitation solely around the demand generated by the bin and not by litter levels in general?

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RSC1169 - Parked RCVs and Street Sweepers – 110920

This member authority has a situation at their current site where the majority of our RCV’s and Street Sweepers are parked overnight in either garages or under a lean-to.

They are set to move back into their redeveloped site shortly and will be moving all of their vehicles down there, however, there are currently no storage facilities on-site for the vehicles, they will need to be parked outside.

They are interested to hear from other authorities:

 

1. who have their vehicles parked outside overnight –what problems, if any, this has caused
2. if any form of protection is used i.e. lifter control covers on RCV’s, and if so, what form of protection
3. if they experience any mechanical issues with their vehicles (particularly over the winter months) i.e. frozen lifter controls/sweeper mechanisms

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RSC1168 - Waste services operatives use of gloves – 110920

This member authority would like to hear from colleagues within waste services with regards to information on the use of gloves, specifically:-

1. What type of gloves do your operatives wear?
2. What is the usage per day/ week?
3. What is the cost?

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RSC1167 - Schemes to promote the use of reusable nappies - 090920

A Member Authority is seeking information regarding schemes to promote the use of reusable nappies. 

The Member Council are specifically interested in gaining the following information:-

 

1. How do other councils have supported these schemes (financially or otherwise) – if financially, could the council indicate approximately how much they contribute to the scheme?
2. How much uptake there has typically been in the schemes from residents?
3. Is the scheme run by council officers directly, or via a community group or similar?
4. If run by the council, what is the approximate time commitment involved?
5. If run by a collection authority (i.e. District), could they offer an incentive in conjunction with the disposal authority (i.e. County) to run the scheme?
6. Any details on how the scheme is monitored (e.g. whether it’s being used, calculation on waste diverted from landfill, monitoring of the ‘after-life’ of the nappies to ensure they continue to get passed on after use);
7. Are you willing to share details on how the council carried out a scoping/tender exercise with suppliers?

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RSC1166 - Concessions/discounts on charged services such as bulky waste collection - 090920

A member authority is interested to know, of those local authorities that offer concessions/discounts on charged services (e.g. bulky waste collection) for residents in receipt of benefits, how do they validate resident eligibility?

The inquiring authority is particularly interested in any methods that are automated and avoid residents submitting copies of evidence and staff having to validate.

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RSC1165 - Street skips for residents - 040920

A member authority would be interested to hear from other local authorities who have implemented street skips for residents to dispose of their waste/help with fly-tipping.

Any information would be gratefully received however the member authority is particularly interested in the following:

• Size of skip used/frequency of exchange/how the location was chosen
• How long they were used for
• Was an appointment system used or was there free access
• Were any items restricted
• Did it reduce or increase fly-tipping
• Were there any issues during or long term afterwards

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RSC1164 - Take Away Litter Enforcement - 240820

With litter from takeaways being a significant issue for local authorities (Fries’ bags, burger boxes etc.) A local authority is looking at various ways that offenders can be identified and tracked down. There have been suggestions of putting vehicle registration numbers on wrappers or receipts.

They would be interested to hear from other APSE member councils who have carried out anything similar and any work that may have been done to get takeaway chains to help tackle the problem.

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RSC1163 - Charging for council services - 240820

A member authority is carrying out an exercise regarding the potential of charging for Bulky waste collections and pest control services.

They would be grateful if you could forward any information on any charges you make for these services and the rationale for costing the services, in particular, whether you give reduced prices or FOC for senior citizens/people on benefits.

The enquiring authority needs to devise accurate estimates of optional/forecasted revenue generated and therefore any data they can collect on other council’s practices would be extremely helpful.

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RSC1162 - Charging policies at HWRCs - 100820

A member authority is interested to discover if other LAs have charging policies in place at their HWRCs and what they do and do not charge for?

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RSC1161 - Information systems for refuse collection crews - 100820

A member authority is looking for information regarding what in-cab devices other LA’s use (if any) in their refuse vehicles so that crews can access rounds data.
Any positive/negative feedback from the end users i.e. drivers/loaders would be welcome.

As part of the query they are also requesting information on :

• how supervisors/managers communicate with refuse crews during the course of the day i.e. mobile phones, radios, other.
• What processes are in place for real time communication between their customer services (call centre) teams and their refuse crews.

 

RSC1159 - DNA testing for dog fouling enforcement purposes cost / benefit analysis - 310720

This APSE member authority is considering the use of DNA testing on dog fouling as a further tool in enforcement.

They would be interested to hear from any other APSE member council that has adopted this approach and in particular if they carried out any form of cost benefit analysis to determine the value of this approach.
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RSC1158 - Maintaining social distancing in refuse collection vehicles - 310720

A member authority is keen to hear form other colleagues how their council’s Refuse crews were/are able to maintain social distancing throughout the COVID-19 crisis. In particular,
• What measures were put in place?
• Are they still in place?
• How long do they believe that they need to remain?
• Are there any plans to remove these measures or replace them with a less expensive option?
• How are councils funding the additional resource required where applicable?
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RSC1157 - Road Survey equipment on refuse collection vehicles - 240720

Has any member authority installed Road Survey equipment on Refuse Collection Vehicles? If so, has this been successful and would you be willing to supply your contact details for us to discuss further?
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RSC1156 - Mattress Collection and Recycling Service - 240720

A member authority is conducting research into Mattress collection services. As such we are seeking information from Local authorities on the following:

• Do they charge for this service?
• Do they offer the service FOC?
• Do they offer any recycling services for the mattresses?

 

RSC1152reissued - Weekly food collections - 100720

A member authority is conducting research into whether weekly food waste collections would be viable.

At the moment their food waste is collected with garden waste each fortnight.

They are therefore interested to hear from those authorities which have a weekly food collection, in particular:

• Do you have any figures of how much (in KG) is collected from a participating household?
• What percentage of household participates?
• What capacity is the collection vehicle?
• How many properties can you collect from each hour?
• What is your collection method?
• How many loaders do you have per vehicle?
• Have you seen your recycling figures increase since introducing weekly food waste collections?

 

RSC1141 - Enforcement action on a house of multiple occupancy presenting excess waste - 060720

A member authority would like to know how Local Authorities enforce the presentation of waste/side waste offences under the Environmental Protection Act (1990 s46) with HMOs.

The local authority has recently introduced a “no side waste” policy and is experiencing problems with HMOs presenting excess waste, which they are not collecting. However, as a result of this non-collection policy, the excess waste is not being returned to the property by residents.

With a normal domestic property our waste enforcement section have historically issued a section 46 notice to the liable person at that property for any offences contrary to s46 of EPA 1990.

However, with HMOs, the liable person for the property may not actually reside at the property and the tenancy can change quickly.

In view of the above the enquiring authority would like information on the following:

1. How do other Local Authorities enforce waste presentation/no side waste policies upon HMOs?
2. Do Local Authorities charge additional council tax to cover the cost of waste collections from HMOs?
3. Do Local Authorities make exceptions on side waste for HMOs?
4. Do Local Authorities charge HMOs for trade collections?
5. How do Local Authorities take enforcement action against residents within the HMO?

 

RSC1152 - Weekly food collections - 080620

A member authority is conducting research into whether weekly food waste collections would be viable.

At the moment their food waste is collected with garden waste each fortnight.

They are therefore interested to hear from those authorities which have a weekly food collection, in particular:

• Do you have any figures of how much (in KG) is collected from a participating household?
• What percentage of household participates?
• What capacity is the collection vehicle?
• How many properties can you collect from each hour?
• What is your collection method?
• How many loaders do you have per vehicle?
• Have you seen your recycling figures increase since introducing weekly food waste collections?

 

RSC1151 - Chargeable green waste service - 080620

A member authority is currently looking at introducing a charged green waste service and would be interested to know from other authorities that have brought this type of service in.

They would like information on the following:

• What is the annual subscription that you charge?
• How many collections do you offer as part of the subscription per year?
• Did you have a free garden waste service prior to rolling out a charged one, if so what percentage uptake of residents did you get signed up to a charged green waste collection service?
• What percentage decrease in garden waste tonnage did you see following the movement to a charged service?
• Did you notice an increase in residual tonnages?
• Did you see an increase in garden waste collected at HWRC’s?
• What impact did bringing this service in have on your recycling rate?

 

RSC1134 - Water storage facilities for street sweepers - 220520

Currently a member authority has a large water tank located in the roof space of their mechanical sweeper storage shed to provide a dedicated supply and volume of water to fill the mechanical sweepers in a prompt process.

They would be interested to know how other councils or their contractors fill up the mechanical sweepers with water:
• tanks,
• water hydrants
• another method

 

RSC1131 - Wholly owned local authority waste services – 010620

A member council has recently insourced its waste collection service which is now delivered by a wholly owned company.
They are looking for other examples of Local Authority ALMO’s, LATCo’s or other forms of wholly owned entities around the country that are delivering waste or other large scale front line services, with the possibility of contacting them or visiting them.

 

RSC1148 - Litter Strategy - 070520

A member authority is enquiring whether any other local authorities have a Litter Strategy or something similar, and if they do, would they be happy to share it with the enquiring authority?

The enquiring member has been asked to create a Litter Strategy for their authority, covering areas such as:

- Education and Awareness
- Environmental Enforcement
- Community Engagement and Voluntary Sector

 

RSC1147 - Supermarket recycling tonnages - 290420

A member authority would like to know if any Local Authorities obtain tonnage data from supermarkets for recyclables collected from their own recycling banks (not LA Bring Site) that they submit in their Waste Data Flow return.

If any do would they be able to share their information.

 

RSC1146 - Continuation of essential street cleansing duties - 290420

A member authority is enquiring as to whether local authorities are still carrying out essential street cleansing services, for example removal of a significant build-up of litter, including disposable masks, gloves in town centres or continuing to clean recognised hot spot areas.

Are there any other particular examples of street cleansing which are still being carried out due to them being consider as ‘essential’.

 

RSC1146 - Continuation of essential street cleansing duties - 290420

A member authority is enquiring as to whether local authorities are still carrying out essential street cleansing services, for example removal of a significant build-up of litter, including disposable masks, gloves in town centres or continuing to clean recognised hot spot areas.

Are there any other particular examples of street cleansing which are still being carried out due to them being consider as ‘essential’.

 

RSC1145 - Push-along electric sweepers - 220420

A member authority is looking at changing the way that they currently operate their sweeping services.

They are looking to replace 2 x HGV Sweepers with 7.5tn Sweepers and doing away with small mechanical sweepers altogether, replacing them with push-along electric alternatives.

They would like to know:
If any authority has any experience of using small push- along electric sweepers vs mechanical sweepers i.e. Swingo’s.
• Maintenance expenditure of electric push-along v’s mech sweepers
• Are 7.5tn models capable of operating across rural & urban settings? Has anyone had any issues with size/payload etc.
• Any other info regarding this service change, has any other authority made a similar change and would there be any suggestions etc.

 

RSC1144 - Events policy for waste and recycling - 270320

A member authority is in the process of looking to create an events policy with regards to waste and recycling

They are therefore interested to hear from any authorities who have developed such a policy in their local authorities that could assist with formulating a policy for the enquiring council.

 

RSC1143 - Litter-picking on public roads - 240320

A member authority is keen to hear from other Councils on the subject of litter-picking on public roads.

They are particularly interested in hearing about the following:

• What training is available for the relevant staff. (other than T1,T2,T6,T9)
• What Traffic management systems do they operate when litter-picking B type roads.
• What vehicles would they normally use.

 

RSC1142 - On-street recycling litter bins - 230320

A member authority is looking to learn from other Councils to get the best out of their new on-street recycling bins.

They would be interested to receive any reports, lessons learnt, techniques to reduce contamination or similar information?

They have carried a lot of research before starting this project, but they are keen to learn more.

They are also using this trial to work out the best collection methods for street recycling bins.

Therefore they would like to know;
- Do you have a dedicated recycling crew/vehicle for your street bins? Or do you split the capacity on your rounds?
- Do your litter pickers separate general litter and recyclables?
- What materials do you collect from the Street scene?
- Which materials do you get the highest yields from?
- Do your operatives remove small amounts of contamination in the bins? If so, does this cause them to take significantly longer to complete rounds?

Currently, they are trialling 10 ‘recycling points’, with one bin for bottles and cans and one for single use coffee cups and are using this experience to inform a wider project in more parts of the city

 

RSC1140 - Recycling collection from flats and terrace properties - 180320

A member authority, working with the University of Hull, is keen to find out from other authorities how they manage the collection of recycling waste from households that don’t have space for a wheeled bin, e.g. from flats and terrace properties.

• How many households do you collect waste from?
• How many of these households do not have space for a wheeled bin? E.g. flats and terraced properties.
• What receptacle (e.g. bag, container) do you use to collect recycling waste from properties that do not have space for a wheeled bin?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of using this receptacle to collect recycling waste?
• Is the receptacle single use? If so, how is it disposed of?
• How frequently do you collect recycling waste from properties that don’t have space for a wheeled bin?

They have a short telephone interview (taking no more than 15 minutes) on this topic and would very much welcome your views. To take part, please contact Claire Lea, [email protected]

 

RSC1137 - Collection and charges for chemical wastes - 160320

A member authority would be interested to know whether other authorities allow their staff to determine what is hazardous chemical waste?

Also, do you collect any smaller items, such as paint cans, oils and thinners or outsource to a private contractor?

What are the charges per year on average, you pay for chemical disposal?

 

RSC1136 - In-Cab Technology - 160320

A member authority is currently carrying out research into in-cab technology.

They would be interested in receiving information on the following:
• Do they use in-cab technology in their waste trucks and waste management?
• If so, who were the company that created the technology
• Would you say that the technology has changed your waste management for the better?
• What feedback can you give on the in-cab technology?
• What are the features of the technology?
• Could the supplier be open to a demo?
• Any contacts for the supplier?

 

RSC1135 - Recycling apps for mobile phones - 130320

A member authority is currently carrying out research into recycling applications for mobile phones.
They would be interested in receiving information on the following:
• Do your council use recycling apps for the people residing in your region?
• If so, was it developed in house or with an external developer?
• If developed externally, what company developed the app?
• What are the features of the app?
• Could the app be demoed?
• What was the initial and the current feedback on the app?
• Any contacts for the developer?

 

RSC1134 - Water storage facilities for street sweepers - 130320

Currently a member authority has a large water tank located in the roof space of their mechanical sweeper storage shed to provide a dedicated supply and volume of water to fill the mechanical sweepers in a prompt process.

They would be interested to know how other councils or their contractors fill up the mechanical sweepers with water:
• tanks,
• water hydrants
• another method

 

RSC1132 - Rewarding volunteers - 030320

A member authority is looking to establish a volunteer credit scheme in some of their towns and villages whereby volunteers are rewarded for their time.

They are aware this approach has been established in some locations in the UK whereby businesses sponsor an awards scheme for volunteers and the number of hours clocked up generate the levels of awards, e.g. bronze – free tea/coffee, silver – free cinema tickets, gold – theatre ticket, or variations of same.

They would therefore like to ask the following questions:
• Who manages volunteers and what appropriate governance is needed such as insurance, health and safety etc.? Anything specific in relation to vulnerable people?
• What support and resources were provided and by whom (Council, local business, funding etc.)
• Who or what is a volunteer and who defines this?
• Was there any issues around form filling/defining volunteer role in relation to anyone on benefit
• How best to record volunteer hours, use a stamp reward card?
• What did businesses get out of it? Was the scheme welcomed by local businesses?
• What constitutes a credit e.g. one hour of volunteer work?

 

RSC1130 - Optimised Routing software with in cab technology – 280220

A member Council is looking to put out a tender for optimised routing software with in cab technology and would be interested in hearing from other authorities who currently use this technology, in particular:

Who is your current contractor?
What is the value of the contract?
How many routes are covered?
Does the system support real time reporting of issues from front line crew to back office staff and customer e.g. bin not placed out?
Is there an on board camera facility to photograph bins e.g. contaminated bins?
Do you or have you considered using Radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology?

 

RSC1128 - Chewing gum removal machines - 240220

A member authority is keen to hear from any other local authority who has recently found and used a successful chewing gum removal machinery/equipment which is cost effective, time efficient and carries out removal of ghosting.

The enquiring authority has previously used a butane removal machine, but are interested in looking at other options

The surfaces the member authority is looking to use a chewing gum removal machine on include block paving, and marble type slabs

 

RSC1118 - Messaging Service for refuse collection dates - 140220

The authority use a text messaging service that residents can sign up for to inform them of the dates of their bin collections, they would like to expand this service to inform residents of issues such as road works in the area that may affect collections and any other service related issues.

The texts would need be filtered by parish areas so that only residents that were affected received the alerts.

Has any authority used text messaging as means of communicating this information and if so could they please share any information.

 

RSC1125 - Sensitive Qurans Disposal - 100220

A Member Authority are seeking information on disposing a large number of Qurans discreetly and with sensitivity other than the primary method of passing on copies to those who need/want it (other mosques in the UK or abroad to build up their library, schools or school children, new Muslims, etc).

Two ways of correctly disposing of copies of the Quran have been recommended to them are:

Burning then completely so no words are left or can be seen or recognised.
Burying them deep underground so they cannot be accessed.

They have been able to find out that Imams and the Muslim community have agreed that shredding the paper of Qurans is permissible, as long as the following caveats are meet.

Ø The shredding process should make the letter on each page unrecognisable (i.e. shredded so no one would be able to recognise any of the letters)
Ø Before the shredding, the storing of the Quran should be in a clean place.
Ø The paper of the Quran can be kept in a clean container or box before the shredding process occurs or during transport.
Ø Handling copies of the Quran can be done with a person wearing clean gloves.
Ø The hard front and back covers of some Qurans will have to be removed to allow the shredding to take place easily.
Ø The shredded paper can then be disposed of hopefully to be included as recyclable paper.

Has any local authority had experience of this or any other method not already mentioned above and can recommend a supplier or contractor that would be able to offer the service required?

 

RSC1124 - PPE spend on waste loaders and drivers - 060220

A member authority is interested in PPE allocations for waste collection loaders and drivers.

If possible, they would like to know what local authorities annual spend on PPE and uniform for a Waste Collection loader/ driver, per FTE is?

 

RSC1123 - Separate glass recycling collections - 060220

A member authority has been asked to look into a separate glass collection whereby residents will be given 140 litre bin and will be collected every 8 weeks.

They would be interested in any data from councils that have a separate glass collection, in particular about the following:

• participation rates
• capture rates
• expected yields
• Number of properties per round

Any pointers or help you may be able to give on the above would be very much appreciated.

 

RSC1127 - Plastic pots trays and tubs - tonnages collected as a proportion of total dry recyclables weight - 180220

A member authority is interested to know whether local authorities promote ‘ lids on or lids off’ glass and plastics containers prior to collection for recycling.

Although the question is asked specifically of Scottish authorities, APSE feels members across the UK would be interested in any responses received from all member authorities.

 

RSC1126 - Removal of lids from glass or plastic containers before recycling - 180220

A member authority is interested to know whether local authorities promote ‘ lids on or lids off’ glass and plastics containers prior to collection for recycling.

Although the question is asked specifically of Scottish authorities, APSE feels members across the UK would be interested in any responses received from all member authorities.

 

RSC1116 - Chewing gum bins - 200220

A member authority is considering deploying 15 Gum Drop bins in the City Centre in an effort to reduce staining on the streets.

They are interested in whether any other authorities have used them and what the results were, any lessons learnt are welcome?

Also they have chosen Gum Drops to avoid complaints of unsightliness or hygiene that might arise from gum boards around the city centre, but if any authorities have preferences for boards then any help understanding why would be greatly appreciated.