Zero Waste & Circular Economy
Supporting councils to reduce waste, improve recycling and deliver practical circular economy solutions.
Public sector organisations are under pressure to reduce waste, improve resource efficiency and respond to major policy and funding changes, while supporting the transition to a more circular economy.
UK central government sets the policy direction for major reforms such as Extended Producer Responsibility and Simpler Recycling. Councils and wider public sector bodies then need to understand what these changes mean in practice, make informed decisions and deliver reliable, value-for-money services for residents.
Circular economy policy needs to be translated into practical action that supports economic growth while reducing reliance on finite resources.
How Local Partnerships helps with this challenge
Local Partnerships helps councils and wider public sector bodies respond to policy changes and turn circular economy ambitions into practical delivery.
We provide practical, independent support to assess options, improve recycling, manage costs, strengthen governance and identify circular economy opportunities that make better use of resources.
Waste, recycling and circular economy decisions affect services, costs, environmental performance and long-term economic resilience. Getting them right helps public sector organisations meet statutory duties, reduce environmental impact, make better use of resources and deliver practical change for communities, businesses and the wider economy.
Need help with zero waste and circular economy?
Whether you are reviewing your waste strategy, preparing for policy changes, improving recycling performance or putting circular economy principles into practice, Local Partnerships can help.
Use the form at the bottom of this page to tell us what support you need, and our Zero Waste and Circular Economy team will get back to you.
Circular economy policy and strategy
We help governments, councils and public bodies develop evidence-based circular economy strategies that reduce waste, improve resource use and support environmental and economic resilience.
Policy change and implementation
We help public bodies respond to major reforms including Extended Producer Responsibility, Deposit Return Scheme, Simpler Recycling and changing waste infrastructure requirements.
Waste and recycling service redesign
We support councils to review waste and recycling services, understand future requirements and design services that are efficient, resilient and fit for changing policy.
Infrastructure planning and investment
We provide commercial, legal and technical support to help public bodies plan, procure and deliver waste and resource infrastructure that meets future needs.
Service resilience and value for money
We help councils manage cost pressures, future-proof essential services and improve long-term resilience in waste and resource management.
Business cases and options appraisal
We help organisations assess options, develop robust business cases and make confident decisions about future waste, recycling and resource management services.
Procurement and contract support
We support procurement, contract development and commercial advice, including practical tools such as model contracts for food waste treatment and anaerobic digestion.
Reuse, repair and resource efficiency
We help organisations identify opportunities to extend product lifespans, reduce waste and make better use of materials across local systems.
Preparing for Waste Policy Reforms: South Gloucestershire Council’s Strategic Re-procurement for 2025
This case study shows how South Gloucestershire Council, with Local Partnerships, prepared for 2025 waste reforms by optimising waste collection, improving recycling, reducing costs, and increasing revenue. South Gloucestershire Council is preparing for significant waste policy reforms, with a focus on the reprocurement of its waste collections contract. The upcoming contract, commencing in 2025, must […]
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Supporting Wales’ Transition to Packaging EPR: How Local Partnerships is Shaping Policy and Shifting Costs to Producers
Local Partnerships supports the Welsh Government in designing and implementing the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy for packaging by providing project management, technical expertise, and facilitating stakeholder collaboration. Local Partnerships is supporting the Welsh Government in its role alongside the other 4 Nation counterparts to design and deliver EPR policy for packaging. This policy shifts […]
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New Workplace Recycling Regulations
Optimising Commercial Waste Services: Supporting Welsh Authorities in Adapting to New Workplace Recycling Regulations Local Partnerships helps Welsh authorities improve cost recovery and waste services under new workplace recycling regulations, offering a toolkit for best practices. As the waste management landscape evolves and we move towards a zero waste society, the introduction of the Workplace […]
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Simpler Recycling
On Saturday 21 October government announced long-awaited plans for simpler recycling in England in response to the consistency in collections consultation. Simpler recycling plans include requirements for both local authorities and businesses in England to collect a consistent set of materials for recycling. Here, we take you through the key points for local authorities and […]
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The UK Government’s new Deposit Return Scheme
On Thursday 25 April 2024 the UK government, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland, the Scottish Government, and the Welsh Government published a joint policy statement to update stakeholders on plans for each nation’s long-awaited Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers. All four nations have previously consulted on […]
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Local Partnerships responds to Council Climate Action Scorecards
Today sees the launch of the Council Climate Action Scorecards. The publication of the scorecards does not reflect the huge efforts we know councils are going to to meet their ambitious net zero targets, whilst also working hard to adapt their services in response to the changing climate to continue to serve communities. We continue to […]
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A Zero Waste Utopia?
Local authorities are the front line of delivering waste services. They have enhanced practices driving greater efficiency, especially for recycling. However the financial demand is still over £5 billion just for managing ‘stuff’ thrown away by all of us. The real harm is to our planet, including more than half our emissions and 90 percent […]
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Is a zero waste utopia within reach?
In a society where over-consumption is normalised, imagining a world of zero waste can be challenging. But we must do so if we are to meet net zero, reverse the decline in our natural environment and reduce water stress. Keeping precious materials in use longer through a circular economy is key to reducing the impact […]
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Organic waste treatment project for Welsh Councils
Local Partnerships delivers 15-year organic waste treatment project for Cardiff and The Vale of Glamorgan Councils Local Partnerships has provided a suite of specialist, tailored training courses before and during the procurement, to ensure that the competitive dialogue process was successful. Recycling targets Wales has recycling targets of 70% by 2024/25 with £200 per tonne […]
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Simpler recycling: workplace recycling in England – are you ready?
Important changes are happening from 31 March 2025: all workplaces and commercial waste collectors in England will need to follow new guidelines for recycling. If you offer or oversee a commercial waste service you need to be ready. You will need to support your commercial customers with separate recycling collections: All businesses and non-domestic premises you […]
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Environmental Transformation Programme Support for Southampton City Council
Supporting the development of a shared vision for transformation Local Partnerships have supported a variety of councils, and transformation projects through the LGA’s Sector Support Improvement programme funded by the UK Government. These case studies explore the key activities and learnings from these projects and highlight both best practice and common challenges. Case Study 3 […]
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Navigating waste policy toolkit
2025 is a defining year for waste and resource management, bringing major policy shifts that will reshape the way local authorities operate. To support councils in navigating these changes with confidence, we’ve launched the Navigating Policy Toolkit—a free resource designed to help local authorities understand evolving policies, plan strategically, and lead effectively during this transformational time.
Watch the webinar replay below and use the ‘Download Resources’ tab to download the Navigating waste policy toolkit.
As England moves toward implementing Simpler Recycling for households, local authorities will need to introduce separate food waste collections. This expert-led session explored how councils can effectively plan, procure, and deliver these new services.
What you will learn:
- insights on planning and delivering a successful roll-out, with practical advice on procurement, contracts and securing sustainable offtake routes
- how to create a culture of food waste separation through effective communication, behaviour change, and community engagement
- how to address the challenges of urban environments, including flats and HMOs
Watch our Zero Waste webinar, created specifically for local authority officers working in waste, street scene management, environmental services, enforcement, and communications.
With over 2 million pieces of litter dropped daily across the UK, and street cleaning costs exceeding £1 billion annually, local authorities are facing urgent challenges while they’re also uniquely positioned to drive impactful change.
Nearly all the UK’s local authorities have adopted a net zero target, be that for 2030, 2050 or somewhere in between. But with 80%+ of an organisation’s emissions typically arising from the goods and services it purchases (rather than from its own buildings, vehicles etc.), getting close to net zero isn’t possible without looking at our purchasing processes and decisions.
In what could be a technical and complex area, the Managing Supply Chain Emissions webinar provided a practical introduction to some of the challenges and opportunities of addressing supply chain emissions.
Joining Edward Barlow was the Procurement Solution Lead of Oxygen Finance, Debbie Lyons. This webinar was provided as part of the Strategic Partnership between Local Partnerships and Oxygen Finance.
Discover the LGR Toolkit designed to support councils through reorganisation.
This collaborative session with the LGA provided a walkthrough of key tools and how to apply them in your context.
Business case related member decisions
It has always been important that significant investment and transformation decisions are subject to rigorous challenge and are evidence based. The increasing pressure on councils’ finances over recent years has only served to make it even more vital that well written and presented reports for members relating to complex business cases are developed by officers to ensure sound decision making by councils.
This business case related member decision document provides good practice guidance for officers regarding how best to develop and present a report for members to make a significant decision.
Commercial waste services are a vital component of effective Recycling and Waste Management strategies, directly influencing the reputation, operational efficiency, and financial health of local authorities.
Optimising these services can lead to significant improvements in performance and financial outcomes for local councils.
The Commercial Waste Toolkit is designed to support local authorities in evaluating and enhancing their commercial waste operations. A well-structured commercial waste service not only enhances service delivery but also drives profitability, market share, and adaptability to future policy changes. At Local Partnerships, we have a proven track record of helping local authorities successfully navigate these critical transitions.
Greenhouse gas accounting tool
MHCLG
DEFRA
Welsh Local Government Association WLGA
Waste Resources Action Programme WRAP
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