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Partnership working for local authorities

There are a number of key drivers for improving the way in which waste services are delivered. These include the need to tackle increased waste volumes and to achieve higher recycling levels; the need to move away from using landfill for disposal; and the need to invest in new alternative treatment technologies.  The arrangements for managing waste established in many areas are not always best suited to providing the modern, integrated services that can meet these challenges.

Partnership working between authorities on waste is a recognised way of achieving more effective service delivery, as well as significant efficiencies and environmental benefits. By working together authorities can share important specialist skills, such as marketing and procurement, to the good of all partners. Evidence suggests that savings of between 5 and 15% are possible when waste collection arrangements are brought together, and that further significant savings are possible where collection and disposal, and back office functions, are integrated.

Partnership working can also deliver improved waste prevention and minimisation initiatives and recycling rates. It can provide an enhanced basis for the procurement of long-term processing and treatment capacity, and increased certainty to industry.

The Waste Management Innovation Forum report  published in June 2006, highlighted the benefits of joint working and cited possible efficiency savings of around £150m nationally.

Page last modified: 15 June 2009
Page published: 27 January 2007