Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: September 12, 2025

Purpose:

Content: 11.1 Members of the committee considered a report of the Executive Director Neighbourhood Services seeking approval to implement a new waste and recycling collection service that ensures compliance with the requirements of the Environment Act. The proposed changes will also see additional capacity provided for the collection of paper and card for recycling, to address the lack of collection capacity currently reported by residents and evidenced by low collection yields.     11.2 RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Environmental Services and Regulation Policy Committee:   a)    Approves the proposed changes to Sheffield’s waste management policies. The changes will: - Ensure compliance with the requirement of the Environment Act 2021 to collect for recycling all materials stated in The Separation of Waste Regulations, 2024. - Address the lack of paper and card collection capacity reported by customers and evidenced by low paper and card collection yields, and high customer dissatisfaction - Provide flexibility for households to increase their recycling collection capacity. This will help manage the potential changes in the nature and volume of recyclable materials resulting from the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging and the Deposit Return Scheme. b)    Delegates responsibility to the Director for Streetscene and Regulation to negotiate the necessary changes within the Integrated Waste Management Contract with Veolia. c)    Utilises the burden funding provided under the Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging Regulations to deliver the proposed changes, and deliver improvements to Sheffield’s packaging collection and recycling services.     11.3 Reasons for Decision     11.3.1 Ensure compliance with the requirement of the Environment Act 2021, to collect for recycling all materials stated in The Separation of Waste Regulations, 2024.     11.3.2 Address the lack of paper and card collection capacity reported by customers and evidenced by low paper and card collection yields, and high customer dissatisfaction.     11.3.3 Provide sufficient capacity and flexibility to manage the potential changes in the nature and volume of recyclable materials resulting from the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging and the Deposit Return Scheme.     11.3.4 Deliver an estimated annual CO2 equivalent saving of 1,451 tonnes when compared to the current service, and increase Sheffield’s recycling rate by an estimated 2.8%.     11.3.5 The proposed changes will be funded by the ongoing Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging payments from 2025/26.     11.3.6 The addition of the required materials for recycling along with the increase in collection capacity provided for paper and card, will reduce the risk that Sheffield’s recycling services be deemed ineffective, which could see a 20% reduction in future Extended Producer Responsibility of Packaging payments.     11.4 Alternatives Considered and Rejected     11.4.1 Three alternative options were considered. Each option was subjected to independent service impact modelling to project the performance impact of each option and was costed by Veolia.     11.4.2 Option 1: No change to the existing 140 litre blue bin collection service for paper and card. This option has been rejected because:     11.4.2.1 It does not address the lack of paper and card collection capacity in the current service, and will risk the service being deemed ineffective risking a potential 20% reduction in future Extended Producer Responsibility payments.     11.4.2.2 The lower projected recycling tonnage collected means the carbon saving associated with option 1 is less than the recommended option 2.     11.4.3 This report proposes that Option 2 be implemented for the reasons set out in section 10.     11.4.4 Option 3: Existing 240 litre brown bin to be used for paper and card and collected every four weeks. Existing 140 litre blue bin to be used for glass, cans, plastics and cartons and collected every fortnight. This option has been rejected because:     11.4.4.1 Due to increased vehicle requirements, the associated carbon saving is less than the recommended option 2     11.4.4.2 The higher ongoing costs mean that from year 3 it will be £2.4m more expensive to operate each year than the recommended option 2.     11.4.4.3 The change in the materials to be placed inside the blue and brown bins, alongside the difference in collection frequency risks causing confusion amongst residents, a negative impact on recycling performance.     11.4.5 Option 4: Change from a 140 to a 240 litre blue bin for paper and card and a change to a three weekly collection capacity for the blue and brown bin. This options has been rejected because:     11.4.5.1 Due to increased vehicle requirements, the associated carbon saving is less than the recommended option 2.     11.4.5.2 The higher ongoing costs mean that it will be £3.2m more expensive to operate each year than the recommended option 2.