Purpose

To ensure that a full cost recovery model of charging is implemented within the Bulky Household Waste Service, consideration must be given to increasing the cost per booking for the delivery of the service.

Decision

Decision(s):

That an uplift in charges be approved, from the current price per booking of £14.00 per booking (for the collection of 3 household items) to £25.00 (for the collection of 3 household items).  The significant increase is required due to the change in collection methodology required following the introduction by the Environment Agency of regulations around the collection of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).

Reason(s) for the Decision(s):

From 1st January 2023 new legislation from the Environment Agency came into effect regarding the storage and disposal of upholstered domestic seating waste containing Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).

Councils across the Liverpool City Region applied for and were granted a Regulatory Position Statement (RPS266) thereby giving Councils an extension to continue collecting waste as normal. This RPS was withdrawn in December 2024 when collections for all POPs waste would need to be separated from all other forms of waste.

POPs are highly toxic chemical substances that present a serious health threat to both humans and wildlife. In soft furnishings, POPs are present in the form of brominated fire retardants. The Environment Agency confirmed that there is a widespread presence of POPs in domestic seating items and that any seat covered in fabric contains POPs well over the threshold limits. When these items become waste, controlled measures must be taken to ensure that POPs are not released into the environment and will not contaminate other waste or recycling materials. Domestic seating containing POPs cannot be recycled or sent to landfilled and must be disposed of via incineration. The Environment Agency requires that if any wastestream contains upholstered furniture, the entire load must be handled as POPs waste.

The regulations profoundly change how the Council collects and disposes of waste furniture and waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). As a collection authority this legislation affects the way in which Sefton Council collects materials that may contain POPs. Changes have been implemented to the way our waste streams that may contain POPs are collected from residents and businesses.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Continue with current pricing whereby the Council will be subsiding a traded service for residents, having a detrimental impact upon the revenue budget and may result in complete withdrawal of the service in the future.

Consideration has also been given to exploring a tiering system for charging, with POPS items being given a higher pricing model than non-POPS.  Additionally, concessions criteria has been explored and will be reviewed annually.