Approaches to material sales: A guide for local authorities

The income that can be obtained by a local authority for its recyclable materials will be dependent on the approach the authority takes to selling its materials. Local authorities need to consider the options available to them when it comes to the sale of recyclables and choose a solution that works for them in relation to the mix of materials they are collecting and the perceived quality of that mix, the resources and skills available to secure outlets for the materials and  the level of risk the local authority is prepared to take.

WRAP have produced a range of tools that are intended to help local authorities maximise the benefit that they obtain for the dry recyclables collected as part of their provision of waste services.  Our updated ‘Approaches to material sales: A guide for local authorities’  report is designed to equip local authority officers with the knowledge required to select the right materials sales strategy for their circumstances, exploring key commercial considerations such as the pricing mechanism to be used, material quality and operational requirements.

The updated report is supported by our new practical guide which aims to support authorities through a step by step process whether they sell thousands of tonnes of material through long-term contracts or sell separately collected materials on a weekly basis.