Policies underpinning the charges for disposal-of-waste services

2019.01.29

3 Deputy J.M. Maçon of St. Saviour of the Minister for Infrastructure regarding the

policies underpinning the charges for disposal-of-waste services: [OQ.19/2019]

Given the recent reports of increasing levels of fly-tipping within the Island, will the Minister be reviewing the charging policies for disposal-of-waste services and will he produce figures to show the number of reported incidents of fly-tipping since the current charging regime was introduced and, if not, will he explain why not?

Deputy K.C. Lewis of St. Saviour (The Minister for Infrastructure):

There are a few elements here which I need to clarify. Firstly, it is now easier to report fly- tipping using the Love Jersey app, which may mean more incidents are now being recorded which may previously have gone unrecorded. Secondly, with most waste we do not charge. The waste disposal is free. We only charge for certain types of disposal, namely asbestos and any sort of hazardous waste, et cetera, and commercial green waste. We give due consideration to potential fly-tipping along with the communication and enforcement measures needed to deter this damaging behaviour. This is led by our colleagues in Environment. The Environment Department is responsible for logging and co-ordinating action against fly- tipping. Just before Christmas they issued their figures for 2018, which were 159 fly-tipping incidents compared to 105 during 2017. As a result, a revised fly-tipping strategy, which sees many groups and organisations working together, will begin later this year led by the Environment Protection Department, and we will also have a key role in this venture.

1. Deputy J.M. Maçon:

So was that from the Minister: "No, I will not be renewing the charging policies"? Deputy K.C. Lewis :

Not at present because we do not charge for most of it. Most of it is free so there is absolutely no excuse whatsoever to fly tip. One is never more than 10 or 15 minutes away from our waste centre at La Collette where everything is separated and disposed of or recycled properly.

2. Deputy M. Tadier :

On the wider issue of the inappropriate disposal of refuse, can the Minister state what disincentives there are, apart from one of conscience, to stop householders disposing of recyclables such as metals and bottles in the ordinary waste stream in the absence, especially, of an Island-wide kerbside recycling scheme?

Deputy K.C. Lewis :

I am not sure if the Deputy is regarding inappropriate disposal of glass in the waste bin, et cetera.

Deputy M. Tadier :

I was particularly thinking of other recyclables which some Parishes have the luxury of having kerbside recycling schemes, others do not, and what happens if you put your recyclables in the main waste.

Deputy K.C. Lewis :

Yes, the Deputy makes an excellent point. My officers are in talks with all Parishes at the moment regarding this. Some Parishes do glass collection, some do plastics collection. We do deter as much as we can any glass coming into the domestic waste stream. The energy recovery unit does not like a lot of glass in the system. It does create a lot of damage. That is something we need to deter. Also, we are heavily promoting recycling and my department is looking into plastics, and previously unrecyclable plastics may be able to be recycled in the future. That is something that is ongoing with the department and, as I say, my recycling managers are in discussions with most Parishes.

3. Deputy M. Tadier :

Given the Parishes' inability, even after years, to come up with a wholesale scheme which covers all of the Parishes in the Island, is it time that the Minister took responsibility for things like kerbside recycling and centralised it to make sure that all householders, no matter where they live in the Island, can benefit from this very basic system of kerbside collection which has existed for decades in other civilised European countries?

Deputy K.C. Lewis :

I am afraid I do not agree. Parishes do an excellent job of collecting waste. [Approbation] Most Parishes either collect their own waste or they have a contractor that does it for them and delivers it to the energy recovery unit. As I say, we are in talks. There is always room for improvement and my department is in talks with the Parishes as to how that can be further improved. The more we can recycle the less goes into the energy recovery unit.

4. Deputy K.G. Pamplin of St. Saviour :

Just having a look on the website, the opening hours at La Collette are 7.30 a.m. to 4.15 p.m. Would the Minister relook at these timings to help families and people who are working, sometimes into the evenings, to open at least one evening a week, maybe after working hours, up to 7.30 p.m. or a reasonable time? Would the Minister agree and look into this?

Deputy K.C. Lewis :

That has already been looked into and that is under review as we speak. At the moment it is open 7 days a week, and the hours vary on the Sunday, of course, but that is something we are definitely reviewing. Everything is monitored and there is normally a headcount so we know when people are coming and when they are not. That is targeted with manpower, et cetera.

The Deputy Bailiff :

Final supplementary, Deputy Maçon? Deputy J.M. Maçon:

I just thank the Minister for his response.