Somerset piloting business support programme ahead of new recycling rules
Somerset County Council are working with WRAP, a global sustainability charity, to deliver the pilot
Last updated 9th Jun 2024
Ahead of new recycling rules coming into force, Somerset is one of five regions running a pilot programme to support businesses adapt to the change.
The new regulations will require all businesses, healthcare establishments and academic institutions to separate glass bottles and jars, metal food and drink cans, plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays, paper, cardboard and food waste from their general waste.
To help businesses get ready for the new rules, the County Council is working with global sustainability charity Wrap.
The scheme runs between Feb 13 and April 21, and runs in tandem with the launch of a new Business of Recycling website - which features a waste calculator tool, as well as step-by-step guides and free resources to make sure they can get ready for the change.
Dedicated face-to-face Business Advisory support will be available in Langport, Ilminster and Chard to help businesses understand how the regulations will affect them, what they need to do and what resources are available to help them.
As this will be a regulatory requirement, it is likely that an enforcement officer will undertake checks in future and ask to see evidence that businesses are complying with the new rules.
Councillor Sarah Dyke, Somerset County Council Lead Member for Climate Change and Environment, said: “We are already working with local businesses on our wider climate agenda and this new programme will help us engage with them further, to provide practical advice and support around how to recycle in the workplace. This will not only help reduce waste and increase recycling rates but also help businesses save money on waste disposal costs.
“It’s important that businesses understand the benefits of recycling as well as the regulatory requirements as we seek to transform our ‘throwaway’ economy into one where we reduce waste, re-use resources as much as possible and adopt nature-friendly, low carbon, resource-efficient systems.”
A spokesperson for WRAP said: “We are excited about working with the pilot partners and testing the new Business of Recycling website and provision of practical advisory support for businesses. We want to address some of the barriers to recycling in the workplace, such as lack of information, concerns around costs and how to procure recycling services. The pilots will help us understand how best to engage with businesses, determine the effectiveness of the website and identify where improvements can be made before it is rolled out nationally.”
For more information click here: Business of Recycling