Refuse and recycling information for developers and architects
As a general rule, people will recycle when it is easy for them to do so. In terms of the design and construction of buildings, this requires consideration to be given as to how people living and working in those buildings will be able to participate in the council's recycling services.
The following set of design and construction principles are to be considered in the design and construction process:
- ensuring that sufficient space is dedicated in appropriate places, including within and without residential properties, for the temporary storage of material to be recycled. For example, space should be provided within kitchens in new properties to enable storage of glass bottles, paper, cans and other materials for recycling
- ensuring that people can easily transfer material for recycling from their own premises, whether a residential unit, a shop or an office, to a location from which the material can be collected
- early consultation with the Environment and Transport department, and Planning, Housing and Regeneration department is recommended to ascertain the best strategy towards recycling of household waste.
Please follow these links for information on:
- provision of refuse and green waste collection services
- provision of recycling facilities for houses
- provision of recycling facilities for flats
Requirements:
- Developers are required to consult with the council on the council’s strategy for waste collection, minimisation (i.e. home composting) and material recovery (i.e. which different types of material will be collected by the council from properties and how frequently). This will provide clarification on requirements for the storage space that will be required within properties and in the communal areas of new buildings.
- A minimum internal storage capacity of 60 litres per dwelling (flats and houses) must be provided which can accommodate three bins, where no single bin is less than 15 litres in size. (This standard is subject to change over time, so consultation with the council is essential).
- A minimum external storage capacity of 180 litres per dwelling must be provided for recyclable household waste, which can accommodate three bins where no single bin is less than 40 litres in size. For flats, applicants must demonstrate that the provision of communal storage space is large enough to cater for all dwellings allocated to the bins, based on a collection timetable that has been agreed with the council, or providing a total space equivalent to 180 litres per dwelling which can accommodate separate communal recycling bins. (This standard is subject to change over time, so consultation with the council is essential.)
- All non-residential developments above 1,000m2 floor area must provide a minimum of 10m2 designated waste storage space for materials for recycling, including paper, cardboard, cans, glass bottles and plastics.
Checklist
For “minor developments” all of the following questions will be asked as part of the planning application.
- has sufficient space provision been made within the property for refuse and recycling material and containers?
- has sufficient space provision been made outside the property for refuse and recycling material and containers?
- has sufficient space been provided in communal areas for refuse and recycling material and containers?
For “householder developments” items (1) and (2) will be taken into account:
