Purpose

To seek approval for the expansion of trade waste services in line with legislative changes and to agree fees for Trade Waste 2025/26.

Decision

a) Approves the expansion of the Council’s Trade Waste Service to include recycling, glass and food collections

b) Agree fees and charges for Trade Waste Services for 2025/26 as detailed in Appendix 1

Reasons for the decision

Legislative changes require the Council to offer food waste, mixed dry recycling and glass collections for business customers in the borough.

Alternative options considered

Not expanding the service - would not support the legislative changes and customers would have to seek out other providers for the service to ensure they are complying with the legislation.

Stopping all trade waste collections - would not recommend at this time while the service is generating income to cover costs and reinvest in the service. Also, GBC would then be required to use a third party to dispose of its own trade waste which would potentially be more expensive than using the in-house team.

A different fee proposal - not recommended as fees have been established based on a robust cost analysis of service provision and are broadly in line with local market conditions.