WEEE Collection Good Practice Guidance 1
5.0 Kerbside
Contents 5.1 Bulky waste 01 5.1.1 Interacting with local reuse schemes 01 5.1.2 Identifying reusable items 02 5.1.3 Collection arrangements 02 5.2 Staff training 04 5.3 Handling and storage 05 5.4 Contractual arrangements 06 5.5 Small Mixed WEEE collections 07 WEEE Collection Good Practice Guidance 1
Audience: The primary audience for this section of the guidance is waste collection authorities (and their contractors). However, third sector organisations and producer compliance schemes will also be interested in this guidance. Benefits: The benefit to the collection authorities of implementing this good practice is to maximise the WEEE that is segregated for reuse and recycling through their kerbside/bulky waste collections. Producer compliance schemes will find this section of interest as they can benefit from innovative collection methods and may wish to discuss appropriate approved recycling and reuse routes with the local authorities. Third sector organisations will find the guidance of value by understanding how they can support waste collection authorities to maximise diversion of WEEE for reuse. Summary: This chapter considers the options available to waste collection authorities for maximising reuse and recycling of WEEE, through kerbside/ bulky waste collections, bring banks and ad hoc collections such as WEEE amnesties. Advice is therefore provided on how to identify reusable items, how to raise awareness of reuse avenues with householders and how to interact with local reuse schemes so they provide the level of service required. Useful sources of information of relevance to this section of the guidance are available from the Furniture Reuse Network.
Whether furniture, bric-a-brac or household WEEE, an item is only reusable if there is a market for 5.1 Bulky waste 01 it. If bulky waste items are to be segregated for reuse it will be important for local authority call 5.1.1 Interacting with local reuse schemes 01 centre staff and collection crews to know what items are potentially reusable. 5.1.2 Identifying reusable items 02 5.1 Bulky waste 5.1.3 Collection arrangements 02 5.1.1 Interacting with local reuse schemes 5.2 Staff training 04 It is good practice for waste collection managers to liaise with local reuse groups to identify what 5.3 Handling and storage 05 items are in demand and what items, regardless of their perceived quality, are of no use and to develop a list that is appropriate for their circumstances. 5.4 Contractual arrangements 06 It is also good practice for officers to visit reuse organisations and see first hand the work they are 5.5 Small Mixed WEEE collections 07 doing. Further information is available in Bulky Basics, a guidance report produced by the FRN. WEEE Collection Good Practice Guidance 2
Some key considerations for acceptable and unacceptable items are:
Typically Acceptable Unacceptable Items of lower (perceived) value1 Worn out, incomplete or damaged item IT equipment (data eradication is recommended No market demand for item but it is not a criterion for acceptability) Items that are marketable Uneconomic to repair Good working order Scratched or dented (other than very minor) Cosmetically sound No cables; internal shelves; salad trays etc. Complete with all fixtures / fittings
5.1.2 Identifying reusable items If local authority collection crews are to identify potentially reusable items from those they collect, it is good practice to include reuse identification in staff training. Template training materials are provided with this guidance (see separate download). WRAP also provides training for HWRC operatives. It is also good practice for collection crews to visit reuse organisations to see the work they are doing first hand. Safety is obviously important, however items donated by members of the public will not have previously been subject to a PAT test. Compliance with safety standards cannot therefore be checked before the item is donated. The reuse organisation will need to be satisfied that all appropriate safety and functionality tests have been completed before the item is put on sale. 5.1.3 Collection arrangements As householders may be unaware or unable to verify safety standards this cannot be a criterion for accepting WEEE for reuse. Safety checks should be completed by the reuse organisation prior to resale or donation elsewhere. Maximising reuse 5.1 Bulky waste 01 Some items can become unsuitable for reuse before collection if householders do not protect them. 5.1.1 Interacting with local reuse schemes 01 Similarly damage can occur during collection if not handled and loaded appropriately. Whilst not 5.1.2 Identifying reusable items 02 always possible, it is good practice to collect from inside the home and therefore to provide a date and 5.1.3 Collection arrangements 02 time for collection. This will prevent weather damage, vandalism and theft. Insurance will be needed that allows crew to enter homes (these staff should have a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check). 5.2 Staff training 04 5.3 Handling and storage 05 5.4 Contractual arrangements 06 1 Sometimes items of low value are not donated for reuse because the householder does not believe that other people will want it. However for some of these items there is still demand and therefore householders should be encouraged to donate such items, as long as the other criteria are met. 5.5 Small Mixed WEEE collections 07 WEEE Collection Good Practice Guidance 3
It is important to protect items during handling and transit so staff will require suitable equipment. Good practice The vehicle to carry a sack truck or platform truck for moving large appliances from the household to the vehicle safely; the vehicle to carry packaging (e.g. blankets, cardboard boxes or plastic sheeting) to wrap protectively around the item if necessary; do not stack items (unless they can be secured to the vehicle and protected from the item above/ below); the vehicle should have a tail lift and the ability to secure items to ensure they do not damage other items during transit; reusable and recyclable items to be segregated on the vehicle to minimise potential damage or contamination; spot checks of collections to occur to ensure that crew are handling items appropriately and that advice is being adhered to; and training in how to access difficult to reach properties to be provided to operatives. Maximising recycling If both reusable and recyclable items are to be collected together, it is good practice to treat the recyclable product with the same care and attention to ensure potentially reusable items are not accidentally damaged. Staff will need to be trained (see Kerbside 2 and Retailer take-back 2.2). If all items are destined to be recycled not reused they can be handled to maximise the load rather than protect the item. Items can be stacked (as long as they can be secured, e.g. will not fall onto operatives when unloading), and they will not require protective packaging. Fridges need to be secured to ensure there is no damage to the cooling circuit and televisions and monitors need to be handled to prevent breakage of the screen. It will be necessary for staff to take account of manual handling and other health and safety risks. 5.1 Bulky waste 01 Many bulky waste service providers will have arrangements to dispose of household WEEE for recycling at a local Designated Collection Facility (DCF) (e.g. the local waste transfer station, the 5.1.1 Interacting with local reuse schemes 01 WCA depot or household waste recycling centre). It is good practice to record the number of items / 5.1.2 Identifying reusable items 02 weight of the different WEEE categories as the data will be needed by a number of stakeholders and 5.1.3 Collection arrangements 02 can contribute to waste collection authority performance indicators and targets, see Contracts and partnership agreements 2. 5.2 Staff training 04 It should be noted that WCAs do not require a Duty of Care or a Hazardous Waste Consignment Note 5.3 Handling and storage 05 when collecting from households but if the crew also undertakes collections from businesses during the same round, these collections will require the appropriate transfer or consignment notes. 5.4 Contractual arrangements 06 5.5 Small Mixed WEEE collections 07 WEEE Collection Good Practice Guidance 4
5.2 Staff training Call centre staff Training will be needed to ensure call centre staff can maximise the reuse potential of the bulky waste requests. The best option will vary depending on local arrangements with reuse organisations. It is good practice for the call centre staff to do one or more of the following: identify whether the item is Business to Consumer (B2C) WEEE and in working order and potentially reusable. Identify whether the household permits the item to be reused; suggest the item could be reused via an online network such as Freegle or Freecycle (many local authorities now have their own similar sites); suggest the item is delivered to an approved2 reuse organisation directly or collected by them; and arrange bulky waste collection if necessary – provide instruction as to how the item should be handled and stored prior to collection. provide advice on how items can be presented for collection. See 5.3 Handling and storage [link] for further information. In some local authorities the bulky waste requests are taken by staff that provide call centre services on a host of subject areas or the call centre service is provided by a third party. In these cases (i.e. requests not managed by the waste department) it can be difficult to ensure that staff are promoting reuse. Example call centre scripts and identification of reusable items are provided here. It is good practice to maintain regular communication with call centre management to highlight why these questions need to be asked. It may be appropriate for call centre staff to visit the local reuse organisation during their training to see first hand the good work that is achieved. Collection crews Manual handling training should be provided to collection crews and good practice advice is available from the HSE. It is good practice to include additional manual handling advice for crew that are collecting reusable items to ensure the items are protected. 5.1 Bulky waste 01 It is equally important to include customer care training for crews as there will be interaction with the public. It is good practice to include ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts’ to ensure the crew are compliant with 5.1.1 Interacting with local reuse schemes 01 the council’s policies. It is also good practice to include ‘why recycle and reuse’ in training as many 5.1.2 Identifying reusable items 02 householders are interested in what happens to the material and why, so the crew can be advocates of 5.1.3 Collection arrangements 02 the chosen system. 5.2 Staff training 04 5.3 Handling and storage 05 5.4 Contractual arrangements 06 5.5 Small Mixed WEEE collections 07 2 Approved by the PCS partner so that evidence can be used WEEE Collection Good Practice Guidance 5
If WEEE collected during bulky waste rounds is to be segregated for reuse, it is good practice for the call centre staff to identify items that householders have identified as reusable during the booking to collection crew, so they can handle it appropriately. The collection crew may also want to identify the potentially reusable items for the benefit of the reuse organisation, by using a label or sticker of some sort. Many reuse organisations already use a labelling system and therefore the most appropriate method to use should be discussed with them. By identifying those items that the householder or the collection crew believe are potentially reusable, the reuse organisation and the council can track what happens to them. This is beneficial as it provides an audit trail for the items. 5.3 Handling and storage Householders Handling and storage will vary depending on whether the item is reusable or recyclable. Good practice handling and storage advice for the householder prior to collection may include the following: leave item inside the home until collection day; ensure cables and loose parts are secured (place all loose parts inside appliance or tape to sides); if available, package the item to protect it when moved; remove food from cooling and cooking equipment; and remove liquids or other waste from any items (e.g. oil deep fat fryers; full vacuum bags etc). The most appropriate advice will depend on the collection methods and the destination of the item. If items are not presented correctly, the collection crew may refuse to collect it. If this happens, an explanation (verbally if the householder is present or by leaving a note) should be given to the householder as to why it has not been collected and what they can do to rectify the situation. This information can be presented to householders via the council website, or in a bulky waste collection leaflet. The call centre staff should also relay this information to the householder when a booking is made. Collection crews 5.1 Bulky waste 01 Bulky waste collection requests should be logged by call centre staff so there is a record of the items to be collected from each property. This can be checked against the data recorded by the collection 5.1.1 Interacting with local reuse schemes 01 crew as part of an audit trail. This can be used to check that all WEEE items are collected and 5.1.2 Identifying reusable items 02 delivered to approved routes. 5.1.3 Collection arrangements 02 5.2 Staff training 04 5.3 Handling and storage 05 5.4 Contractual arrangements 06 5.5 Small Mixed WEEE collections 07 WEEE Collection Good Practice Guidance 6
Collection staff will require suitable equipment and will need to be given appropriate health and safety training. It is good practice to: treat items as new products (until an appropriately qualified individual states that it is not reusable) Package in protective wrapping (e.g. blankets, cardboard boxes or plastic sheeting) if necessary; use appropriate manual handling equipment; use vehicle features as intended e.g. move tail lift up and down, do not push items on or off at height; do not stack items (unless they can be secured to the vehicle and protected from the item above/ below); and segregate reusable and recyclable items on the vehicle to minimise potential damage or contamination. WEEE items are usually taken to the local HWRC, the waste transfer station, directly to the treatment facility or to the waste collection authority’s depot. There is no best option; however it will be important to record either the number of items or the tonnage of WEEE collected. This data is likely to be needed by a number of stakeholders to be reported internally, to auditors, the regulators and Defra. It can be used to verify that collections take place and all items are delivered to the approved facilities and to report against performance indicators such as National Indicators. When recording tonnage it is good practice to use a weighbridge and record each WEEE category separately. This is not always possible, in which case the number of items and average weight should be used. This information can be provided by the reuse operator or the treatment provider. 5.4 Contractual arrangements It is good practice for waste collection authorities to add the following into their contracts for bulky waste collections for WEEE: provision for local approved reuse organisations to obtain reusable WEEE (if they do not provide the collection service themselves); Memorandum of Understanding or Service Level Agreement if appropriate; 5.1 Bulky waste 01 Key Performance Indicator targets (e.g. reuse) including reference to performance indicators; 5.1.1 Interacting with local reuse schemes 01 recycling and reuse targets to ensure that collection crews handle items to maximise reuse 5.1.2 Identifying reusable items 02 potential (i.e. even if only the carrier); 5.1.3 Collection arrangements 02 data reporting requirements on reused and recycled WEEE (number of items, weight, proportion 5.2 Staff training 04 recycled and reused); 5.3 Handling and storage 05 customer care requirements e.g. response times and customer satisfaction; and responsibility for recycling of non-reusable items through approved routes. 5.4 Contractual arrangements 06 5.5 Small Mixed WEEE collections 07 WEEE Collection Good Practice Guidance 7
5.5 Small mixed WEEE collections In addition to Household Waste Recycling Centres, more facilities are being developed for the collection of small WEEE items which can easily be discarded in the residual waste. There are a number of options available to waste collection authorities as discussed below. Any system needs to be approved by the PCS (so they can be included in operational plans submitted to the regulatory authority) and that PCSs are not automatically liable for the cost of these types of collections and therefore participation is optional and the service should demonstrate value for money. There are benefits to the local authority and the PCS of implementing such collections, particularly in areas where car ownership is low, or residents have to travel quite far to the nearest HWRC. There may also be a political driver if council Members are keen to provide an added value recycling service to their constituents. Kerbside collections It is possible for local authorities and their contractors to provide a kerbside collection for small mixed household WEEE (SMW) however you will need to consider the appropriate frequency and the costs associated with it to ensure value for money. The frequency of collections could be as little as once or twice per year because WEEE will not be set out by householders regularly. It is a good idea to avoid post-holiday “catch up” periods. Communication materials need to make it clear what type of items are acceptable and those that are not (i.e. no commercial WEEE). One option is to provide a branded bag (opaque bags are a good idea to minimise poaching of items) that can be collected by a separate vehicle or with existing recycling or bulky waste collections. This will ensure the household WEEE is segregated from the box or wheeled bin dry recycling collections. An alternative is to collect SMW as part of the bulky waste collections. For example a box of SMW may qualify as one item. Some authorities do already include this in their ‘special collection’ which may or may not be charged (for example Westminster City Council). 5.1 Bulky waste 01 It is worth noting that commercial organisations are now offering this service without the involvement of the local authority. 5.1.1 Interacting with local reuse schemes 01 5.1.2 Identifying reusable items 02 5.1.3 Collection arrangements 02 5.2 Staff training 04 5.3 Handling and storage 05 5.4 Contractual arrangements 06 5.5 Small Mixed WEEE collections 07 WEEE Collection Good Practice Guidance 8
Bring banks Small mixed WEEE bring banks have been successfully managed by a number of local authorities. Metal banks with a bucket opening that limits the size of item that can be disposed have been used. A cage inside the bank can be wheeled or pulled out to allow the collection contractor to swap it for an empty container or to carry the items into a suitable container on a vehicle. An alternative bring bank container is a specially designed wheeled bin for SMW, whereby the bins have a secure drop door/ panel at the back enabling the WEEE items to be removed by hand and transferred into boxed cage vehicles. This is being trialled in Westminster. Example: The SMW bring bank trial carried out in Cheshire and Chester West, the local authority refurbished a container that was no longer needed due to the improvements made to the kerbside recycling service.
Illustration of Westminster City Council bins for the collection of Small Mixed WEEE at bring sites.
Such containers do not necessarily have to be purchased new. Rather, second-hand receptacles previously used for collecting other materials can be used. For example in areas where the addition of material streams to kerbside collections has resulted in lower tonnage of material being collected at bring banks, these banks can be rebranded and used to collect a different material stream (e.g. of plastic bottles or glass) WEEE. 5.1 Bulky waste 01 5.1.1 Interacting with local reuse schemes 01 5.1.2 Identifying reusable items 02 5.1.3 Collection arrangements 02 5.2 Staff training 04 5.3 Handling and storage 05 5.4 Contractual arrangements 06 5.5 Small Mixed WEEE collections 07 WEEE Collection Good Practice Guidance 9
It is good practice for the container to list what is acceptable and what constitutes contamination. Trials show that bring banks have not resulted in significant fly tipping or trade waste abuse. Example: Due to the nature of collection the items will not be suitable for reuse, but this type of collection According to the London Borough of Bexley, the risk of fly does maximise recycling options available. There will be both environmental and financial costs of tipping and trade waste abuse occurring at their WEEE banks is collecting WEEE from small containers which will be much higher than at a DCF so it may not be similar to abuse that may occur at existing dry recyclable bring appropriate in all situations. However, it is a good option for those residents that cannot access the banks. HWRCs. As with any recycling bring bank there is a risk that the banks are abused by commercial organisations. It is possible that in the case of WEEE, distributors may abuse the banks to fulfil Example: their takeback obligations. Therefore the service operator and local authority should watch out for In Ireland, Kilkenny County Council has provided WEEE mobile contamination and abuse in this way. The operator should contact the appropriate regulatory body if collections. Over four days in November 2006 householders necessary. were encouraged to clear out any WEEE including dishwashers, cookers, televisions, computers, radios, hairdryers, and mobile It should be noted that the PCS is only liable for the costs from DCF collection onwards unless phones and use the free mobile service. Over 110 tonnes of otherwise agreed. WEEE was collected over four days. WEEE amnesty/ mobile collections In densely populated areas or areas where there is high footfall, a mobile WEEE collection service can be provided to maximise SMW recycling. Communication will be needed to encourage residents to bring their items. As with all communications this will need to take account of the demographics of the area. A suitable vehicle can be sited for a short period of time (e.g. three hours) at a market or housing estate. It will be important to consider what to do with items that are not requested, for example hazardous items such as portable televisions: can they be accepted or will the resident need to take it back home? Also, it is important to liaise with the appropriate environment agency to ensure the collection adheres to all relevant regulations. In rural areas, annual (or more frequent) mobile collections are often made for bulky waste items including household / B2C WEEE. The collection operatives on these rounds should also be trained to maximise reuse by handling household / B2C WEEE appropriately and using an enclosed vehicle with facilities to protect the items. 5.1 Bulky waste 01 5.1.1 Interacting with local reuse schemes 01 5.1.2 Identifying reusable items 02 5.1.3 Collection arrangements 02 5.2 Staff training 04 5.3 Handling and storage 05 5.4 Contractual arrangements 06 5.5 Small Mixed WEEE collections 07 WEEE Collection Good Practice Guidance 10
Student collections At the end of the summer term many councils with densely populated student areas provide extra Example: waste collection services. In 2008, Hertfordshire Waste Partnership, Hewlett Packard and Maxitech (a reuse organization) organized a series of It is suggested good practice to liaise with the local college or university to help promote the concept seven events to take back redundant IT equipment. The and raise awareness amongst the students. It may even be beneficial to provide some sort of communication used included press releases in both local and collection on campus however, this would need to be agreed by the PCS and consideration given to trade press, advertisements, bin hangers and local authority whether it is value for money. recycling leaflets, the Hertfordshire County Council magazine and website and local radio. It is estimated approximately 800 people attended the seven events. In total, 2,551 items were Example: collected, approximately 46 tonnes of equipment, of which over In 2009, Charnwood Borough Council provided an additional one-off waste collection service 32% (by weight) was reusable. All the equipment was sorted, at the end of the summer term for students that live in the densely populated student areas. refurbished, data-wiped and prepared with software licences. Large volumes of waste generated at the end of the year can affect the environmental quality The Maxitech training programme enabled young people to of the community and can result in complaints by non-student residents. A separate vehicle for receive training in refurbishing computer hardware and some household WEEE items was provided to ensure they were segregated from residual waste. No of the reusable computers were subsequently donated to large or hazardous WEEE items were collected but items such as toasters, kettles, irons etc were. charities in the county. These items were recycled but it was noted that the items are often very good quality and so there is potential to develop this service in future to reuse potentially reusable WEEE. The service was well received by students.
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