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: