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The cost impact of implementing harmonised dry recycling collections in Welsh Authorities.

Overview

The Collections Blueprint describes the Welsh Government’s recommended service profile for the collection of household waste. Published in 2011 as part of the Municipal Sector Plan, it provides a system that is now achieving high rates of high-quality recycling, significant cost savings and improved sustainable development outcomes.

A key objective of 'Towards Zero Waste' is for 70% of household waste to be recycled by 2025. This objective will be underpinned by statutory recycling targets for individual local authorities.

This study, commissioned by the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG), examines the relative merits of different dry recycling collection systems (co-mingled, two-stream and kerbside sort) in relation to WAG’s sustainability objectives, with a view to informing the policy framework within which local authorities will deliver changes to their services so that the target may be achieved.