The Executive has decided to delay changes to dry recycling collections in Fareham Borough until the new waste disposal infrastructure is operational in Winter 2027.

URL: https://moderngov.fareham.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2658

Decision Maker: Executive

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: To consider the introduction of new recycling collection services across the Borough in March 2026.   The Environment Act 2021 and its associated Regulations, known as Simpler Recycling, requires the Council to collect household food waste weekly, collect glass from the kerbside and extend the range of dry missed recyclables collected from households by 31 March 2026.   In November, Members approved the proposals for introducing food waste collection services from 30 March 2026.  This report considers what dry recycling collection services will be offered to Fareham’s households.   Hampshire County Council, as Waste Disposal Authority, has advised that the current waste disposal infrastructure cannot currently process paper, card, metal, glass and plastics in a way that is compliant with the new Simpler Recycling requirements.  As such, Fareham Borough Council has four options to consider for dry recycling collections.  The recommended option is to make no changes to the dry recycling collections until the new waste disposal infrastructure is operational in Winter 2027.  This is supported by Defra, has minimal impact on the Borough’s potential to improve recycling performance and incurs no additional costs.    

Content: To consider the introduction of new recycling collection services across the Borough in March 2026.   The Environment Act 2021 and its associated Regulations, known as Simpler Recycling, requires the Council to collect household food waste weekly, collect glass from the kerbside and extend the range of dry missed recyclables collected from households by 31 March 2026.   In November, Members approved the proposals for introducing food waste collection services from 30 March 2026.  This report considers what dry recycling collection services will be offered to Fareham’s households.   Hampshire County Council, as Waste Disposal Authority, has advised that the current waste disposal infrastructure cannot currently process paper, card, metal, glass and plastics in a way that is compliant with the new Simpler Recycling requirements.  As such, Fareham Borough Council has four options to consider for dry recycling collections.  The recommended option is to make no changes to the dry recycling collections until the new waste disposal infrastructure is operational in Winter 2027.  This is supported by Defra, has minimal impact on the Borough’s potential to improve recycling performance and incurs no additional costs.     RESOLVED that the Executive:   (a)  re-asserts this Council’s commitment to implementing the Environment Act 2021 and its associated Regulations to increase recycling rates and reduce the Borough’s impact on the environment as cost effectively as possible;   (b)  advises Hampshire County Council as Waste Disposal Authority that household dry mixed recycling collection services will not change in the Borough of Fareham prior to the opening of the proposed new Material Recycling Facility in 2027, subject to Hampshire County Council continuing with this proposal and despite this Council’s preference for introducing a fully compliant dry mixed recycling collection service from 30 March 2025;   (c)  requests that Project Integra publishes a Simpler Recycling Compliance Timeline to demonstrate the collective intention to achieve Simpler Recycling compliance in Hampshire;   (d)  advises Project Integra that the Council would support the development of a new Joint Waste Management Strategy, based on a Twin Stream Fibres Separate system, subject to the additional collection costs of this system not falling on Fareham Borough Council;   (e)  makes additional budget provision of £65,000 for a new 12 month temporary post to engage the Borough’s residents in recycling, funded from the Transitional Resources Grant for Food Waste; and   (f)   approaches the provision of additional glass bring banks on Council land before 30 March 2026, from within existing budgets.

Date of Decision: May 20, 2025