Our Ref: RHR0308d9

Date: 3 September 2008

Email address: [FOI #1891 email]

Dear Mr Bounds

Freedom of Information Act 2000 - Request for Information

I am writing in respect of your recent enquiry for information held by the Authority under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000:

I would like to ask if Birmingham City Council have changed suppliers in the last year for the black refuse sacks distributed to householders, or if the grade or specification of the sacks have changed over a similar period.

I have been informed that the supplier of refuse sacks has not changed in the last 8 years.

Specification of the sacks has been the same for the last 12 months although there has been a trial of “pillow” design sack in the Perry Barr depot area to see if there were any operational issues with changes in design that would reduce the plastic used by 8%. A telephone audit was carried out in the area where the sacks were issued and requested feed back on the quality of the sacks. The replies were positive with no adverse comments on the quality of the sacks. All sacks undergo an independent quality test where size, strength, dart impact and seam welds are tested against the R105/R106 specification. For information I enclose a copy of the specification for both the black and green sacks.

If you are not satisfied with our response you may ask for an internal review.

To do this please contact Birmingham City Council's central FOI Team at this address:

1st Floor,

1 Lancaster Circus,

Birmingham B4 7AB

Tel: 0121 303 1909 email: [Birmingham City Council request email]

If subsequently you are not satisfied with the Council's decision you may apply to the Information Commissioner for a decision. Generally, the ICO cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted the complaints procedure provided by the Council. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at the following address:

The Information Commissioner

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Telephone: 01625 545745

Web Address: www.ico.gov.uk

Yours sincerely,

Rosa Hunter (Mrs)

Information Governance Officer

Business Support - Data Protection/Freedom of Information

Performance and Support Services

Re use of Public Sector Information

The information provided is subject to Birmingham City Council copyright, however, it may be re-used for personal, educational or non-commercial purposes without further reference to the City Council. If the re-use is for other purposes, such as commercial re-use, you should notify the City Council in writing to seek approval or agree terms for re-use. Where Birmingham City Council does not hold the copyright, it has indicated the copyright holder. Permission for re-use should be sought from them directly.

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PO Box 2122 Telephone: 0121 303 1294

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Suffolk Street, Queensway

Birmingham

B1 1TZ