Council’s cabinet to consider future waste and recycling options

Wiltshire Council’s cabinet will be asked to consider a series of proposals aimed at ensuring waste and recycling services remain financially sustainable, environmentally responsible and aligned with national statutory changes coming into effect next year.     

These proposals are designed to deliver long-term value for taxpayers, reduce carbon emissions, and support better recycling rates. The waste sector is evolving rapidly and, with several current contracts due to end in July 2026, the council has reviewed the optimal service delivery options available which will provide the necessary flexibility to meet future requirements. The council’s recommended approach is based on making evidence-based decisions that improve transparency, efficiency, and sustainability.    

Cllr Ian Thorn, Leader of Wiltshire Council said “These proposals are about striking the right balance between financial sustainability and environmental responsibility, while recognising the needs of all council services. By acting now, we can ensure Wiltshire remains compliant with national requirements, avoids future penalties, and continues to deliver high-quality services for residents. Our approach is evidence-based and forward-thinking, designed to boost recycling rates, cut carbon emissions, deliver lasting value for taxpayers, and provide residents with a dependable, high-quality service that truly meets their needs.”   

Key proposals under consideration:    

• Maintain the current system for sorting paper, cardboard, tins, cans, cartons, plastics, and glass. Although a decision in November 2024 proposed adding containers and increasing sorting at home, discussions with new service providers have shown that improvements at the Material Recovery Facility can achieve higher recycling rates without changing household collections. This means no new container for paper and cardboard will be introduced, making recycling simpler for residents and avoiding unnecessary associated costs.     
• Gaining feedback from the public early in 2026 on a proposed change to household general waste collection frequency from fortnightly to three-weekly in 2027: With food waste and plastic bags/film removed from collections, the amount of black bin household waste is expected to fall significantly, delivering major environmental benefits, reducing carbon emissions, cutting disposal costs, and supporting higher recycling rates.    
• Changes to Household Waste and Recycling Centres: We are looking at introducing a phased rollout of a booking system This is to help reduce queues, cut emissions, and make visits easier and quicker for everyone, especially at sites where residents have told us congestion can be a significant problem and are causing safety issues on the highways.    
• We’ll be inviting your thoughts in early 2026 on the future of the Purton and Lower Compton centres that are being considered for closure. We want to understand how these closures would impact on individual residents’ access to recycling centre facilities.    

Cllr Paul Sample JP, Cabinet Member for Environment, Climate and Waste added, “These changes are about building a waste service that works for the future, not just today. By introducing food waste collections, reducing residual waste, and improving recycling systems, we’re cutting carbon emissions, saving taxpayers money, and making it easier for residents to do the right thing for the environment. Alongside these service improvements, we’re reshaping how we deliver waste services by moving to a Local Authority Trading Company model for kerbside collections and recycling sorting operations. This approach gives us greater control, transparency, and long-term value for Wiltshire residents. These are bold steps forward that balance sustainability with financial responsibility, and we want everyone to have their say as we shape Wiltshire’s greener future.”    

Other proposals being considered include:    

• Kerbside collection services: Establishing a Local Authority Trading Company (LATCo) partnership to provide kerbside waste and recycling collections when the current contract ends in July 2026.    
• Material Recovery Facility: Forming a LATCo partnership to manage Material Recovery Facility operations following the end of the existing contract in July 2026.    
• Transfer stations and waste disposal: Awarding a contract extension for the operation of two provider-owned transfer stations, the disposal of non-recyclable residual waste, the management of the household recycling centres and the composting of garden waste. These extensions would run until 30 July 2034.    
• Variation in contract for the processing of materials via the Mechanical Biological Treatment facility in Westbury. This will ensure provision is in place for off-site Anaerobic Digestion of separately collected food waste and using alternative residual waste treatment processes to recover energy from the remaining waste.     

To find out more, read the Cabinet papers: Agenda – Democratic Services – Wiltshire Council