COST OF COMBINED RECYCLING BINS

Over the Christmas period there have been a number of requests for HBC to introduce a combined recycling wheelie bin as used in several neighbouring boroughs. Exceptionally windy weather on two recycling days in December and January have created a litter problem and this has prompted complaints.

Cllr Ken Moss responded to questions and explained that cost issues were behind the decision not to introduce a combined waste system at the present time but requested information from the Waste Services manager and received this response:

"HBC have only just received delivery of the new recycling vehicles and any change could only take place after they are replaced (in 6 years) unless the Council took the hit on the cost of new vehicles before that date.

If we were to go with wheeled bins then each property would have to have a minimum of 2 extra wheeled bins with an estimated cost £1.5 million. In addition, the vehicles needed to lift wheeled bins are different (split bodied RCV's that can keep 2 waste streams separate) and cost around £160,000 each. We would need 4 which would cost around £650,000.

Mixing the recycling together would affect the income we currently receive for keeping it separate. This is unknown as we would need to source an outlet that could split the materials apart and this would lead to an estimated £50,000+ loss of income per year.

Whilst not a cost, residents would have to present the wheeled bins at the front of the property (affects terrace properties only). This is because the vehicles are too big to go down the back street. If you wanted back street collections, the vehicle costs would be increased further as you would need to double the number of single body vehicles and crews, each collecting one of the bins. 

Finally, under the current Cost Share Agreement with Lancashire Waste Partnership strategy it is not possible to have all materials in 1 bin and would put the Cost Sharing money we receive from LCC at risk which is around another £60,000."

Broken down, this equates to an initial start up cost of approximately £2,150,000 with additional annual costs to HBC of £110,000 plus further staff costs for extra crews. At this time, HBC could 
not afford to absorb this and the extra cost in lost revenue alone is higher than could be raised in taxes. Council tax rises are currently capped at 2% and such a move to combined recycling would require a tax rise of between 15 and 20%.

Cllr Paul Cox is Cabinet member at HBC for Environmental Services and this week said, "Although combined recycling is extremely desirable we just cannot afford to do it with the severity of the cuts being imposed by central government. This is only going to get worse in the coming years so unfortunately the current system will remain in place for the foreseeable future."

He added, "Recycling rates across Lancashire are falling and yet here in Hyndburn we are the only borough whose rates are actually increasing. We are sending less to landfill which is costing us less than everyone else and helping to keep our borough's Council tax down."