The proposals aim 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. The latter includes schools, care homes, hospitals and other government facilities.
The proposed recycling options will be discussed at the council’s upcoming meeting on Tuesday 19 November for approval.
The proposals aim to help the organisations meet the new nationwide Simpler Recycling requirements – which form part of the Environment Act 2021.
The legislation mandates that all businesses with ten 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 last week (5 November 2024), the cabinet approved an investment of up to £245,000 to purchase additional refuse trucks to help meet the new requirements.
Councillor 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 1990s. 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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