The recommendations focus on the preparations needed now to ensure Hampshire is ready to meet new Government recycling requirements and make full use of the county's new £50 million Materials Recovery Facility in Eastleigh when it becomes operational in 2028. This includes providing clarity to all authorities in Hampshire so that they can make the necessary investment in collection service infrastructure such as vehicles and containers.
The report recommends that all district and borough councils across Hampshire must be ready to introduce a consistent recycling collection system from May 2028. Under this approach, paper and cardboard would be collected separately from other recyclable materials such as glass, plastics and metal packaging. This approach maximises the quality of recycling collected and supports more efficient processing of materials.
The proposals support the Government's ‘Simpler Recycling’ reforms, which require local authorities to collect paper and card separately from other dry recyclable materials. In Hampshire, these changes will be facilitated by the opening of the new Materials Recovery Facility.
The recommendations are based on extensive work carried out through Project Integra, Hampshire's waste partnership, which brings together Hampshire County Council, Southampton and Portsmouth City Councils, and the county's district and borough councils.
Hampshire County Council's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Lead for Universal Services, Councillor Kirsty North, said: "We know that residents want to recycle more materials, including a wider range of plastics, and we've invested, alongside Southampton and Portsmouth City Councils, in a state-of-the-art new facility that will make this possible.
"Ahead of the Materials Recovery Facility becoming operational, changes are needed to ensure the right collection arrangements are in place. We know these changes take time to deliver, and as a region, we need to continue to work closely together, so the transition is smooth and residents are kept well informed.
"The move to a new approach is complex and requires alignment across multiple local authorities. It is important that we remain focused on what is best for residents, delivers value for taxpayers and makes the most of the investment we have committed to the Eastleigh facility.
“I will consider these recommendations carefully against those aims before reaching a final decision.”
In Hampshire, district and borough councils are responsible for collecting household waste and recycling (waste collection authorities), while Hampshire County Council, Southampton City Council and Portsmouth City Council are responsible for the disposal and processing of waste and recyclable materials (waste disposal authorities – with the unitary authorities acting as both disposal and collection bodies).
The report considers the options that are available to the County Council in relation to progressing with the transition to an improved recycling service for residents. These are based on ensuring that the Governments preferred 'twin-stream' recycling system is delivered, which would deliver the strongest environmental benefits at the lowest 'whole system' cost – a whole system cost includes both collection and disposal.
Using a consistent single approach across Hampshire would also avoid the additional costs and operational challenges associated with maintaining different recycling collection systems in different parts of the county.
The exact timetable for introducing any changes in each area would be confirmed through a detailed transition plan linked to the opening of the new Eastleigh facility.
The report will be considered at a Decision Day on Monday 2 November