R. Greer

1: Chairperson: Kirsten Paterson.

Kirsten opened the meeting at 7.40pm and welcomed all present to the 15^th meeting of the District.

Members and guests were informed of the fire alarm and evacuation procedure. Kirsten also asked that all attending should remember to fill in the attendance register. The programme for the meeting was outlined as District business first, our guest speaker for the evening followed by tea/coffee and chat to colleagues.

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Kirsten asked if all had received their copy of the last minutes. All had received copies. The minutes of the last meeting were passed as true and correct.

Proposed by Dick Mann and seconded by Sandy Chisholm.

Correspondence during the summer break had been limited to emails between the District and Branch regarding the programme for 2003/2004 and District chairperson and Secretary details being posted on the branch web site.

No report.

Kirsten asked if all had received recent posting of District and Branch programmes, all had.

Kirsten asked if there were any issues that members would like to raise or areas of concern that they might like guidance on. She stressed that this was an important function of the meetings and is an ideal opportunity to gather information.

B. Davies asked that the industrial visits be recorded as District meetings.

Kirsten introduced guest speaker Mr. Bruce Rieekie of PKC Environmental Services.

Bruce had been involved with waste management issues with PKC prior to working for SEPA for a period he is now back with PKC and instrumental with the development of the Perth and Kinross Waste Plan.

Bruce commenced his presentation outlining the background to waste management.

Waste collection being traditionally a high risk activity, the work being a very physical and dirty Job with little regulation on industry or waste types.

Landfill and incineration were the only viable options available. Still today 90% of all waste goes to landfill with the legacy of contaminated land, water courses and the production of methane and leachates. Very few records of waste have been kept until the last 5 years or so.

Incineration in the past had very little control or protection for the local community creating concerns on health issues and general nuisance like smells, noise, disruption, increased volume of traffic etc.

Today waste management is thought of as something that nobody wants in their backyard, however the problems have to be dealt with and the way forward is to educate raise general awareness and explain the benefits of well designed systems and controls for the environmental benefits of all.

Bruce explained the main changes in the production of municipal waste over the years from being mainly dust and cinder in the 1890’s to more metals and glass in the 1920’s to more paper and board plus some putrescibles in the 60’s to predominantly paper and board, putrescibles and plastic in the 80’s.

European Directives

Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE) Directive

Restriction on Certain Hazardous Substances in Electronic and Electrical Equipment (ROHS) Directive

Introduced to put more onus on producer responsibility, forcing companies to produce better more durable and recyclable products, including producer responsibility for the product once it becomes waste.

End of Life Vehicles (ELV’s) Directive

Aims at making vehicle dismantling and recycling more environmentally friendly, sets out clear targets for reuse and pushes producers to manufacture new vehicles with a view to their recyclability.

Animal By-Products Regulation (ABPR)

Includes Composting and biogas treatments for ABP’s (70 deg C for 1 hour)

ABPR includes blood, feathers, former foodstuff. Catering wastes include food wastes arising from commercial and household kitchens,

Health and Safety Legislation

Bruce outlined the general health and safety legislation affecting waste management activities these being

Health and Safety at Work Act

Manual Handling Regulations

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations

And also including PUWER, COSHH, PPE, RIDDOR and HACCP

National Waste Strategy

Required by law - European Union Landfill Directive aims to prevent or reduce the impacts of landfilling waste through strict targets

Current waste practice is not sustainable - a culture shift is needed, waste needs to seen as a resource.

Industry wants a framework for planning and investment and need to exploit the economic opportunities of clean technology and emerging markets.

Waste in Scotland

We produce 12 million tonnes of waste annually

Local Authorities collect 3 million tonnes of municipal waste annually

Over 90% of our waste is buried in the ground

Waste in Perth and Kinross

The Local Authority collects nearly 100,00 tonnes of municipal waste, this basically equates to i tonne of waste per household per year.

At present we recycle only 19% of this waste

Landfill reduction targets

Biodegradable municipal waste (BMW)

Very onerous for the future are set to decrease landfill amounts

By 2003 only allowed to landfill 75% of the BMW that was landfilled in 1995

By 2010 only allowed to landfill 50% of the BMW that was landfilled in 1995

By 2020 only allowed to landfill 35% of the BMW that was landfilled in 1995, very difficult targets to achieve.

National Waste Strategy : Scotland

To provide segregated kerbside collection to over 90% of Scottish households

Aim to stop growth of municipal waste by 2010

Recycle 25% of municipal waste by 2006 and 55% by 2020

Recover energy from 14% of municipal waste

Reduce landfilling of municipal waste from 90% to 30%

Provide waste minimisation advice and viable recycling markets

Area Waste Plan: Tayside

Implement the strategy for delivery of appropriate Integrated Waste Management at local level

Framework / Guidance for local Authority Implementation Plans

Framework for Industry needs / Framework for planning system

Increase public confidence

What is needed now

Expand kerbside collection schemes

Expand mini recycling points

Extension of existing recycling centres

Expansion of other existing infrastructure

Clean Material Recovery Facility (MRF) / Transfer stations from 2006

In-vessel Composting facilities phased from 2004 onwards

Landfill capable of taking non-hazardous waste will dry up by 2013

Replacement for DERL energy recovery plant by 2020

New Processes....New Hazards

Recycling,reuse and energy recovery introduce new processes, new facilities and processes introduce new hazards and risks. Risk assessments must provide a holistic approach to ensure elimination / reduction of risk.

Recycling centres and points must ensure public safety through layout and design. Bin and box kerbside collection pose different risks. Vehicle selection, maintenance and use are major issues.

Material Recovery Facilities - manual picking from moving belts, reintroducing direct contact with waste, exposure to large complex machinery, appropriate protection against risks such as cuts and inhalation of dusts and other matter.

Composting - risk from biological substances, noise,heavy or awkward equipment. Bioaerosol inhalation by employee's / public, infections through cuts on the skin.

What now

There is £230 million funding available nationally, Local Authororities need to submit detailed plans, in accordance with the AWP, to the Scottish Executive for strategic Waste Funding.

Plans need to address, the development of appropriate regulatory and planning frameworks to aid implementation, put in place the required facilities to meet targets. Through education and awareness ensure the public participate and take personal responsibility. Provide sustainable waste solutions through partnership working and continual improvement.

Following Bruce's presentation questions were taken from the floor.

After the presentation a vote of thanks was proposed by Dave Devey and Bruce was presented with a gift and card in thanks.

The meeting closed at 21.00 with Kirsten inviting all to stay and chat while having another tea or coffee before leaving.

Post meeting note next meeting Thursday 6^th November, 7:30 p.m. Gateway Centre, Perth

Guest speaker - Mr. D. Collin of C/Chec

Subject topic - Good Vibrations, managing the transition and implementation of the Physical Agents (vibration) Directive