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Agenda item

PEABODY - RECYCLING IN ISLINGTON

Minutes:

Sunny Vadher, Caretaking Service Manager and Steve Mercer, Caretaking Team Manager of Peabody gave a presentation on recycling issues and challenges regarding their properties across Islington and neighbouring boroughs.


A copy of the presentation is interleaved with the agenda.

In the discussion the following points were made:

·         Peabody was established in 1862, managing over 27,000 properties in London incorporating Peabody, Thamesmead, CBHA and Crown Estates, however with the recent merger with Family Mosaic, the portfolio size has increased to over 55,000 properties. Members were advised that within Islington, Peabody manages 1689 properties in 6 Housing Estates.

·         The Caretaking Service Manager highlighted Peabody’s corporate approach to recycling in various London borough estates. It is presently involved in the Loop re-use project on the Pembury Estate in Hackney where bulky items such as furniture are offered at discounted prices to new tenants. Members were advised that Peabody currently works in conjunction with local authorities on different aspects of recycling, Hackney (food waste) and Tower Hamlets(mattress)and over the years provided advice to Hammersmith & Fulham and Kensington and Chelsea with regards to bin designs.

·         In response to issues around participation levels, the Caretaking Services Manager was advised the meeting that a number of innovative things had been introduced to suit different estates such as introducing different sizes of food bins and bags. Members were invited to visit the Priory Green Estate to witness recycling activities on one of Peabody Estates which experiences a high level of participation.

·         In response to questions about Hackney’s food collection services, the Caretaking Service Manager advised members that although it’s success could be attributed to factors such as ongoing communication with both residents and education programmes in schools, highlighting both the environmental and costs implications to both Council and residents and the introduction of incentives, the resolve and determination of Hackney Council to persist has been the key.

·         With regards to the issues affecting residents living in the old housing estates managed by Peabody which have no lifts or waste chutes, the Caretaking Manager advised that residents are provided with different sizes of bins and are encouraged to dispose their wastes in communal bins. Residents receive regular communication/updates to ensure that the recycling agenda remains a high priority. 

·         Members were advised that caretakers on estates play a vital role in relation to recycling issues in that they work closely with local authorities in reporting missed collections, help remove and report contamination in their estates, advise residents in identifying recyclable materials, provide feedback when consultation is being carried out by developers on new builds and work with asset management team on communal improvements.

·         On suggestions about how to increase recycling rates in Islington, Members were advised that the Caretaking Manager considered Council resources could be utilised more efficiently.  The Council staff should be encouraged to undertake activities such as more door knocking and distribution of leaflets. However, to be really effective such initiatives must be sustained rather than one off or short term.

 

·         Incentives such as providing vouchers for residents or financial contribution to projects such as gardens in estates and landscaping activities was noted.

 

·         The design of the bins are very important.  Residents do not like touching bins when disposing of their waste and recycling.  The position of bins is also critical as they have to be convenient to use.

 

·         Peabody work well with Islington but would be prepared to engage more to increase re-cycling.

 

Supporting documents: