Agenda item

United Communications Strategy relating to Nappies

(To receive a report on behalf of the Communications Officers Group in relation to a countywide strategy on tackling contamination in recycling bins)

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report which outlined a proposed approach to educating the community in respect of what could and could not be recycled in order to tackle the continued increase in the contamination of recycling bins across Lincolnshire.

 

It was reported that the focus would be on common items placed in recycling bins that could not be recycled and were causing problems by contaminating the items which could be recycled, rather than trying to communicate a lengthy list of what could be recycled as the items were not the same in all Council areas.

 

Partners were advised that the marketing campaign would be delivered in a number of phases – each three months and each focusing on a different item of contamination.  It was suggested that the first three month period focused on nappies.

 

The Lincolnshire Waste Partnership was provided with the opportunity to ask questions to the officers present in relation to the information contained within the report and some of the points raised during discussion included the following:

·         It was commented that Christmas would be the perfect time to tackle food waste.  Only 3% of the population would be affected by a campaign for nappies, and it was suggested that anyone that could argue that nappies were recyclable did not care about recycling.  Disappointment was expressed at the decision to tackle nappies first.

·         It was noted that there would be different categories of people that could be tackled in terms of food waste.

·         It was noted that South Holland would not have the same process in terms of checking bins, as residents still used bags.

·         It was suggested that residents should be helped to understand why they were being asked not to put particular things in the recycling bin.  A more positive approach should be taken rather than just telling people what they can and cannot do.  For example, tell residents how much it costs when a load was contaminated, and that it was not the Council's money that was being spent, but it was the residents' money.  If something was found in a recycling bin that should not be there, the bin was tagged and not taken.  The public needed to be informed of the reasons why their bins were not taken.

·         A reduction in education programmes had been seen across several districts.  There was a risk of mixed messages if there was a focus on food waste.  However, if people could be reminded that contamination was an issue it may make them think about what else could be contamination.

·         It was suggested that education was difficult for householders, and there was a need to target schools, as children were more likely to take these things on board, and they did have an influence on parents.

·         There was support for educating people about recycling and contamination, but it was suggested whether a more targeted approach for nappies would be beneficial, such as distributing information at ante-natal classes, and those places where new parents might visit.

·         It was suggested that a pictorial campaign might be more successful.

·         It was commented that Christmas was the one time of year when food was on everyone's mind and so a campaign on food waste could be effective.  Then the campaign on nappies could be rolled out.

·         It was queried whether supermarkets had been contacted, as they may be able to help to get the message out that waste nappies were not recyclable.  It was thought that if the 'Big 4' supermarkets could support this, a campaign could have a significant impact.

·         It was suggested that it would be better to have one campaign across Lincolnshire.  It was noted that work had previously been carried out with Lincolnshire Co-op, and it was suggested that their communications department should be contacted to see if they could give any support.

·         It was suggested that if the messages could be conveyed through pictures, people were more likely to see nappies as a contaminant.  It was also commented that as Lincolnshire had a very diverse population, with some residents who did not have a good grasp of the English language, a pictorial campaign would be vital.

·         A number of graphics for Christmas had started to be produced, along four themes, and these would be distributed out to Districts.

·         In relation to recommendation 3, it was queried whether the Districts would be prepared to put a token amount forward to contribute to this campaign.  There was general agreement for this proposal.

·         It was suggested that a number of images for use in the campaign should be circulated to the Partnership for information.

·         It was reported that a Christmas campaign around waste was planned, which would specifically include Christmas food waste.  It was agreed that the materials for the campaign would be circulated to officers for agreement due to the timing of the next meeting of the Lincolnshire Waste Partnership.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.    That the Lincolnshire Waste Partnership supports the marketing approach set out in the report.

2.    That the Lincolnshire Waste Partnership supports the proposal to sticker/tag any bins identified as contaminated during the campaign.

3.    That the Lincolnshire Waste Partnership recognises that marketing activity would require a budget allocation, and that the proposal for each district to contribute a token amount be supported.

 

Supporting documents:

 

 
 
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