Purpose

To approve updates to the adopted of Household Recycling and Waste Collection Guidance document relating to clinical waste collection and mini recycling centres in the Malton locality.

Decision

Approved:
i. the adoption of the proposed harmonised Clinical Waste Collection Policy for North Yorkshire; and
ii. the phased removal of the remaining mini recycling centres in the Malton locality, following appropriate communication with local stakeholders and the installation of advance notice signage at each site.

Reasons for the decision

The adoption of a new policy for clinical waste collection is needed to progress the harmonisation of the waste service and allows for the introduction of collections in areas where a service is not currently offered to ensure that the Council complies with its statutory duty.

Tonnage collected through the bring banks in the Malton locality has reduced significantly following the roll-out of the new twin bin recycling service in 2025 meaning it is no longer efficient or effective to retain the banks.

Alternative options considered

Clinical Waste Collections:
• retain the current services that differ by locality – this is not viable as it does not offer a harmonised service across the county, with some areas not receiving a collection at all
• direct all clinical waste collections to the NHS – this does not remove our legal obligation to collect clinical waste and risks our service being challenged
• provide a third party collection service across the county – as we are currently not collecting from several areas a procurement exercise would be difficult due to the lack of knowledge of demand and would likely be more costly than an internal collection service.

Bring banks:
• retain the banks – comprehensive recycling at the kerbside is a more convenient and accessible way for residents to recycle. Continued provision of mini recycling centres duplicates the kerbside service. It is being used less by residents and requires approximately £120,000 capital investment to upgrade the containers and collection vehicle