New report shows how local authorities are driving efficiency savings in waste

Research published this week into the impact of austerity on local authority waste collection and cleansing services has found a range of innovative approaches being taken by councils across the UK and Ireland to deliver efficiency improvements and savings.

The report, entitled 'Waste on the front line - challenges and innovations', is based on an online survey and captures feedback from 226 local authority officers responsible for waste, recycling and street cleansing at 183 authorities, as well as 105 organisations working with authorities to deliver these services.

"The precise figures may vary across the UK and Ireland, but most local authorities share a common goal these days - delivering efficiency savings and making the most of tight budgets," says CIWM's chief executive Steve Lee. "Most local government services have already been feeling the squeeze and, as the third largest area of budget spend, waste has not been exempt. Nor can it be in the future.

"What we see here is some real innovation and willingness to explore the potential cost and performance benefits that can be achieved through smarter systems, joint working, and economies of scale. This report puts forward a valuable portfolio of ideas and measures for any council looking to make efficiency savings and will hopefully encourage the sharing of learning and best practice."

Overall, 69% of respondents reported budget cuts related to austerity measures and 28% cuts due to changing council priorities, with a further 16% facing a budget freeze. The survey found that the most common strategic initiatives to reduce costs have been partnership working, automation of both customer contact and back office systems, and renegotiation of collection and treatment contracts. Operational measures, meanwhile, include rationalising collection rounds and optimising routes, charging for bulky waste collections, and extending vehicle and equipment life.

Among the local authorities who provide HWRCs, efforts to reduce costs have focused around reduced opening hours, and 63% of respondents are also implementing or planning to implement re-use initiatives to increase waste diversion and generate income. Many are also looking at new ways of controlling trade waste at the sites.

"We've had a fantastic response rate to the survey and what has emerged clearly is how willing local authority officers and their supply chain partners are to share both their concerns and their ideas. They are looking for answers and are willing to co-operate to get them," says Ricardo-AEA director Adam Read.

"Numerous examples of the resilience and commitment of officers have come to the fore, with many taking on multiple roles to keep services on track. Evidence of the strain is starting to show, however, and with further cuts on the way, we need to be proactive in disseminating the findings of this research so that lessons can be learnt and further impacts minimised over the next 5 years. To help with this, we have also created an 'Opportunities Checklist' that provides examples of measures and associated cost savings to assist local authorities and their partners in the decision-making process."

The report also sounds a cautionary note, however. Good communication, which is essential to support public engagement and participation in recycling and re-use initiatives, as well as to explain service changes, is one of the service elements most hit by the cuts.

"Having to cut back on communications chips away at local authorities' ability to engage with residents and create a better understanding about the growing cost of waste. With evidence suggesting that the volume of household waste is on the rise again, and mounting pressure on recycling rates, it is more important than ever that these messages are heard," says Lee Marshall of LARAC (Local Authority Recycling Advisory Group).

In addition, the report captures the hidden impact of austerity on council staff and departments. This was highly evident in the survey responses, with 66% reporting some form of departmental restructuring, 68% saying vacant posts are not being filled, and 61% being subject to a pay freeze. In reality, these measures have multiple impacts: reduced staff morale, which was indicated by nearly two thirds of respondents, increased workloads and skills shortages as people leave and are not replaced, and less access to professional development opportunities such as training, membership of relevant bodies, and external learning opportunities.

"This is worrying for the longer term outlook," says Steve Lee. "Given that the majority of those surveyed believe that they will face further budget cuts for 3-5 more years, the resilience and expertise of those who will have to manage these services in the future and deliver even greater efficiencies, becomes a critical success factor."

"We think most authorities will need to introduce initiatives like those in this report and that even smarter ways of working - in service delivery, partnerships and communications - will be needed. The challenges are here to stay and the innovation has to be maintained."

The full report and supporting survey results appendix are available here.

ENDS
Notes to Editors:

1. The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) is the leading professional body for the waste management sector representing over 6000 individuals in the UK and overseas. Established in 1898, CIWM is a non profit-making organisation, dedicated to the promotion of professional competence amongst waste managers. CIWM seeks to raise standards for those working in and with the sector by producing best practice guidance, developing educational and training initiatives, and providing information on key waste-related issues. Comprehensive information about CIWM can be found at www.ciwm.co.uk.

Press contacts:
Pat Jennings - CIWM
Tel: 01604 620426
Mob: 07912 228260
E-mail: pat.jennings@ciwm.co.uk

Dr. Adam Read - Ricardo-AEA
Tel: 01235 753171
Mob: 07968 707 239
E-mail: adam.read@ricardo-aea.com