Problem
In 2020, Powys County Council declared a climate emergency, committing to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030 whilst also working toward Welsh Government’s statutory target of 70% recycling by 2025. As Wales’ largest and least densely populated county, covering over 2,000 square miles with only 26 people per square km, waste and recycling collections across such a vast rural area present unique logistical and environmental challenges.
In anticipation of the 2024 Workplace Recycling Regulations, and in response to increasing demand for trade waste collection services, the Council recognised an opportunity to improve trade waste collections across the county – reducing emissions, expanding recycling, and enhancing service efficiency, especially for hard-to-reach and low-volume businesses.
Solution
Rather than introducing a single change, Powys County Council gradually evolved its trade waste service based on a review of its customers to determine the most effective servicing model for them. The resulting hybrid approach integrates the needs of smaller businesses and hard-to-reach areas with the Council’s existing household collection services infrastructure.
Key operational changes include:
- Restructured vehicle fleet: The original fleet of two recycling collection vehicles (all 26-tonne) and two residual waste collection vehicles was optimised. The Council now operates two 26-tonne split-back recycling collection vehicles, two smaller split-back recycling vehicles, and one 26-tonne residual waste collection vehicle. This change places greater emphasis on recycling over leftover non-recyclable waste collections and increases access to rural areas and difficult-to-reach areas.
- Integrated rounds: Smaller businesses and holiday lets that produce low volumes of waste are serviced by household kerbside sorting vehicles using the same containers as domestic properties (labelled for trade use). This avoids the need for additional trade waste collection rounds and larger wheeled bins for smaller businesses who don’t need them.
- Flexible containment options: Businesses with limited space, such as those on narrow high streets, are offered foldable reusable bags for paper in place of rigid containers, improving accessibility and space management.
- Residual, non-recyclable waste collection frequency: Trade customers now receive fortnightly non-recyclable waste collections by trade vehicles, and three-weekly collections when serviced by domestic rounds, helping prioritise recycling and reducing residual waste.
- Cost recovery model: The Council also restructured its charging model to ensure full cost recovery across all recycling streams, supporting financial sustainability and fairness.
This service model does not define microbusinesses based on employee count, but instead assesses their location, accessibility, and waste volume, ensuring a tailored, efficient approach.
Impact
Powys County Council’s bespoke approach to trade waste reform has delivered measurable operational and environmental improvements, including:
- Increased recycling capture: Compared to the previous system, recyclable materials collected from trade waste customers have increased significantly: metals and plastics have increased by 89%, cardboard and paper by 39%, and food waste by 25%.
- Reduced residual waste: A 10% decrease in non-recyclable waste has been recorded since implementing the updated system.
- Improved access and flexibility: Smaller vehicles and flexible containment options have allowed the Council to service rural and space-restricted areas more effectively.
- Regulatory compliance: Small businesses across the county are now better equipped to comply with the 2024 Workplace Recycling Regulations, with services tailored to their needs and aligned with policy requirements.
By rethinking service delivery ahead of regulation, and focusing on practical, local solutions, Powys County Council has created a more sustainable, efficient, and accessible trade recycling and non-recyclable waste collections service. Also offering reduced vehicle mileage, and lowering fuel costs and emissions, the new service provides valuable insights for other rural local authorities facing similar challenges.