West Sussex County Council's Waste & Recycling contract extension with the Business Waste & Recycling Service

In 2021, West Sussex County Council awarded a comprehensive waste and recycling contract to Chichester District Council's Business Waste & Recycling Service to manage waste for various premises including schools, libraries, fire stations, day centres, and council offices. This contract, initially for three years, aimed to meet the council's statutory duty under Section 34 of The Environmental Protection Act 1990, ensuring all waste was collected, treated, and disposed of in compliance with regulations.

Due to the exceptional service and cost savings delivered, the contract was extended for an additional two years, bringing the total duration to five years. This extension reflects the council's confidence in the Business Waste & Recycling Service's ability to meet evolving environmental standards while also reducing overall waste management costs.

Contract details and service delivery

The contract covers the collection of recyclables and general waste from council-operated buildings and schools throughout West Sussex. By partnering with a local service provider, West Sussex County Council ensures compliance with legal requirements and environmental policies.

With new recycling regulations from the Environment Act 2021 coming into effect by March 2025, the Business Waste & Recycling Service has smoothly incorporated food waste collection for schools and council premises. The seamless implementation of these regulations highlights the service's ability to anticipate and adapt to changing legislative requirements.

Geographical reach

The service covers a wide area, including Arun and Chichester districts.

 The Business Waste & Recycling Service is able to  deliver services locally, reducing mileage and minimising the environmental impact through route optimisation and the use of electric vehicles.

Cost savings and efficiencies

One of the key successes of this contract is its significant cost savings. By working with Chichester District Council's Business Waste & Recycling Service, West Sussex County Council benefits from rates that represent a 35% reduction on typical market prices. These savings have been achieved through:

• Reduced unnecessary waste collections.
• Increased recycling efforts, which are cheaper than general waste disposal.
• Conducting site-specific waste audits to optimise collections and reduce costs.

Claire from West Sussex County Council noted, "Chichester District Council's Business Waste & Recycling Service has demonstrated exceptional service capabilities, shown innovation, and carried out efficiencies to help reduce the overall cost of the contract. They have offered energy-saving initiatives through the use of electric vehicles and route optimisation schemes, which ensures no wasted journey time from outside of the county. And being based in West Sussex allows the service to employ locally and purchase resources within county."

Environmental impact

Aligned with West Sussex County Council's sustainability goals, the contract stipulates key environmental objectives, such as:

• Reducing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.
• Increasing recycling rates while reducing overall waste volumes.
• Ensuring that no waste is sent to landfill, in line with the waste hierarchy.

These measures directly support the council's vision of a sustainable and prosperous economy, as well as improving air quality and reducing pollution in the region.

Client feedback

The exceptional level of service has been consistently praised by clients across the county. Several schools shared their experiences:

• Eastergate CE Primary School: "Very helpful, friendly, and supportive collection guys. Always ready to help."
• Portfield Primary Academy: "Problem addressed in good time. Above and beyond with resolution."
• Kingsham Primary School: "Happy with service provided, and it is really nice to be able to contact the office team easily via phone or email and to get a response quickly if there is an issue."

Looking ahead

As the contract continues, the Business Waste & Recycling Service will work closely with West Sussex County Council to introduce further initiatives that promote local sustainability. With a strong focus on reducing waste, cutting emissions, and improving resource efficiency, the partnership remains committed to delivering cost-effective, environmentally conscious waste management solutions for the future.

This collaboration demonstrates how local authorities and service providers can work together to meet statutory obligations while delivering significant cost savings and environmental benefits.