Plans to help commercial organisations meet new national recycling regulations agreed

20 Nov 2024

Proposals to enhance commercial waste recycling in West Suffolk, including increasing the range and volume of products that can be diverted from commercial and non-domestic organisations (for example: schools, care homes, hospitals and other government facilities) have been agreed.

This is in response to The Environment Act 2021, which legislates waste and recycling services must meet new nationwide ‘Simpler Recycling’ requirements. The act mandates that all businesses with 10 or more employees are to separate food waste and dry recyclables from general waste by March 2025, a year ahead of households that are required to do the same from March 2026. 

On Tuesday 19 November West Suffolk Council approved up to £245,000 investment to purchase additional bin lorries to help deliver the new service. The investment is required to ensure the council can continue to offer customers a waste collection service that is compliant with the legislation. 

Cllr Dave Taylor, Cabinet Member for Operations, said: “Government legislation through the Environment Act 2021 requires all local authorities to meet new recycling requirements by 2026. While this represents a challenge to local authorities and to businesses and non-domestic organisations, it also provides an opportunity to take a big leap forward in recycling.

“West Suffolk Council and its predecessor councils, have a strong history of providing trade waste services to local businesses and organisations since the 1990’s. Introducing these new services will enable the council to continue to provide trade waste and recycling collections locally and maintain a significant income stream which helps fund important council services. The service will also increase recycling rates and contribute to carbon net zero. This meets the ambitions of our communities, the Government’s requirements and importantly the authority’s strategic priority of a resilient environment.”

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