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STATES OF JERSEY
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SOLID WASTE STRATEGY (P.95/2005): THIRD AMENDMENTS (P.95/2005 AMD.(3)) – COMMENTS
Presented to the States on 5th July 2005 by the Health and Social Services Committee
STATES GREFFE
COMMENTS
(1)(A) Amendment proposes that other plastics, not just PET plastic, are recycled.
The Health and Social Services Committee recognises that the current Environment and Public Services Committee proposition covers the matter in that it states that other materials will be considered and this could include other types of plastic. However, if further types of plastic can be recycled this would be a worthwhile objective, provided that no adverse human health risks arose through the recycling process.
The Health and Social Services Committee supports this Amendment.
(1)(B) T h e Amendment proposes that the Environment and Public Services Committee investigate commercial opportunities of international recycling companies tendering for construction and/or for operation of the recycling centre.
It is incumbent upon the Environment and Public Services Committee to ensure that they explore every avenue to provide for the most appropriate option and cost benefit of waste disposal.
The Health and Social Services Committee supports this Amendment as it believes that greater competition amongst potential recycling companies is likely to be a benefit to the Island in terms of both cost and quality.
(1)(C) T h e Amendment proposes that the Environment and Public Services Committee sets higher recycling targets.
The Health and Social Services Committee recognises that there are potential cost constraints, as well as benefits, in achieving high levels of recycling. It is important for the States to provide for the best recycling targets that are achievable within the constraints of being an Island community, provided there is no adverse health effect as a result. Whilst it is possible that the Environment and Public Services Committee may be able to put Jersey into the top 5% of worldwide best practice, this may come at a cost and at no significantly apparent sustainable benefit to the population. However, a high recycling target will demonstrate Jersey's commitment to global environmental improvements.
The Health and Social Services Committee supports this Amendment
(1)(D) T h e Amendment proposes that the Environment and Public Services Committee takes effective steps to promote minimisation and recycling in the community and therefore the States to lead by example.
The Health and Social Services Committee believes that the sentiments in this Amendment are already expressly contained within the Solid Waste Strategy.
The Health and Social Services Committee supports this Amendment provided that no adverse health protection issues arise.
- The Amendment proposes that the Environment and Public Services Committee be charged to provide modern facilities forrecyclinggreenwastebeforethe end of2006,andthatkitchenwasteis added into thecurrentcomposting stream ofgardenandgreenwaste either be used on land locally or exported.
The Health and Social Services Committee supports the provision of a modern, in vessel, in building, composting facility as soon as possible.
The Committee does not support the introduction of kitchen waste into the composting waste stream due to the presence of animal products which may result in the transfer of animal diseases, particularly BSE, even in cooked product into the waste stream. Whilst it would be possible for many diseases to be effectively dealt with by kitchen waste being autoclaved, it has been shown that BSE prions are not affected by high temperatures and therefore it is inappropriate to include in the composting process any waste stream which may contain animal products.
The Health and Social Services Committee, in principle, supports the modern facility for recycling green waste in theory. From a health protection point of view the Committee would oppose the inclusion of animal products from kitchen waste being included in the compost stream due to the potential human health risk.
- T heAmendmentproposes that the Constablesbecharged to work with theEnvironmentandPublic Services Committee to introduce a kerbside collection system which is capable of collecting segregated biodegradable material and dry recycle it separately by the end of 2006 with any additional orrun off costs arising from theschemetobebornebytheStatesof Jersey.
The Health and Social Services Committee believes that in order to undertake a successful level of recycling it would be necessary for the introduction of some form of kerbside collection scheme tailored to the requirements of the Island. In order to undertake such a scheme it would be incumbent upon Environment and Public Services to work effectively with the Parishes in order to develop that proposal.
However, the Health and Social Services Committee does not accept the need to include kitchen waste as part of that recycling process for composting. The storage and collection of such putrescible material is likely to give far greater problems from odour, insect infestation and pests than could possibly be gained from its introduction into the composting process.
It is important that any scheme is effectively costed to ensure there is no undue longstanding financial burden for the Island.
The Health and Social Services Committee does not support this Amendment
- T heAmendment proposes that the EnvironmentandPublicServicesCommitteefully investigate alternative andconventionaltechnologies to providethefinaldisposalrouteforthe residual waste and torecommend a preferred solution for replacementof the BellozanneincineratorthattheStates with an accompanying cost benefitanalysis,environmentaland health impactassessmentsnolater than 2008.
The Health and Social Services Committee is committed to ensuring the provision of a proven and robust disposal option providing a secure method of dealing with the Island's waste at the earliest opportunity. Any new plant must be sited in a position to give rise to the least impact on human and environmental health. Jersey does not have the luxury of an alternative disposal route in the event of failure of any plant, the long term storage of putrescible waste may lead to risks to human health and it is therefore important to ensure that technology is proven ahead of any perceived benefits which may be suggested by unproven alternatives. The importance of replacing the existing incinerator cannot be over emphasised and it is inappropriate to delay the process any longer in the hope that a new technology may come on stream.
Environmental and health impact assessments will be required of any technology and plant suggested as the way forward, as part of the planning process.
The Health and Social Services Committee does not support this Amendment unless an alternative technology could be demonstrated and proven to be reliable and secure for the Island's waste disposal in the short time frame demanded by the need for the early closure of the existing Bellozanne plant.
- T heAmendmentproposes that theEnvironmentandPublicServicesCommitteebechargedtowork actively with Guernseyon a variety ofwastemanagement issues.
The Health and Social Services Committee supports the ongoing work by Environment and Public Services Committee in discussing the current waste issues affecting all the Channel Islands and in identifying waste management solutions which may result in joint benefits to both parties with long term cost reductions and health benefits for all.
The Health and Social Services Committee supports this Amendment