Addressing the annual Larac – local authority recycling advisory committee – conference in Cardiff, Commission inspector Jonathan Surridge said that rather than campaigning for higher taxes to pay for schemes, recycling officers should learn from other departments within their own councils.
Leisure, sport and the arts were not as essential as waste services, he argued, but were more successful at securing funding because they focused on how they could help achieve the overall aims of the council.
So when bidding for funds, recycling departments should explain how they could benefit not only the environment, but also for example, regeneration, employment, community safety, social inclusion and sustainability, he said.
“You must have clear priorities, aims and ambitions from the outset and they should reflect your council's priorities,” he said.
Broken glass
The inspector went on to criticise the poor approach of some authorities to the way recycling services were provided. He reported how broken glass was left on the driveway of homes who put glass bottles out for non-glass collections.
Mr Surridge described one council's recycling collection where operators decided to “punish” householders who were confused over what materials would be collected.
He urged councils to encourage workers who carry out collections to communicate with householders rather than punishing them for mistakes.
It was important for councils to convince residents the authority cared about recycling, he added – citing old, rusting bring-banks and faded recycling site signs as further examples of bad practice.
Clear targets
Moving on to how to improve recycling rates, he said that clear targets for tonnages to be diverted were vital. “Effective plans need outcome based targets,” he said. “If the target is to recycle 1,000 tonnes a week, you can measure that and you know if you are doing it. But if it is not working, you must take action to improve it.”
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