The Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has today (11 January) published a new guide to help local authorities in England improve the performance of ‘bring recycling sites’ and ‘ensure they are a valuable element of the overall recycling service local authorities offer to residents’.

The guide, which defines ‘bring recycling sites’ as ‘areas in car parks and on streets, at which local authorities or third parties provide containers for the public to deposit recyclable materials’ comes after several councils removed some material bins at recycling sites due to falling collection figures and duplication of services offered at the kerbside.

Five areas targeted by the guide are:

• Reducing bring site recycling costs;
• Addressing issues at bring sites, such as litter or fly-tipping;
• Assessing bring site performance;
• Formalising arrangements for bring sites; and
• Ensuring health and safety

Linda Crichton, Head of Collections and Quality at WRAP, said: “Bring recycling sites are an important element of the overall recycling service that councils offer to their residents but as kerbside recycling services have become commonplace we know that many authorities are re-considering provision for bring recycling.

“This guide is designed to signpost councils to the kinds of issues they could consider in deciding on their future strategy for bring recycling. By reviewing current provision and improving performance monitoring, councils can optimise the value they get out of these sites.”

As well as the guide, WRAP has also launched an online tool that covers a range of topics to aid local authorities and councils in improving services including communication, data reporting, health and safety, procuring new contracts, and quality.

Spreadsheets on how to assess bring site appearance, find new locations and conduct cost/benefit analysis can also be downloaded.

Read WRAP’s bring recycling guide.