Reuse, Recycling and Waste SPD

The Reuse, Recycling and Waste SPD provides detailed guidance on our requirements for the storage and collection of waste. The guidance is aimed at all new developments whether they generate household, commercial or industrial waste. The principles set out in the SPD can also be adopted by existing developments.

The guidance should be considered at the outset of the development process and compliance with this document is a material consideration in determining planning applications.

This SPD as adopted provides an update and replaces the Refuse and Recyclables SPD (adopted in February 2014).

The SPD was adopted in July 2025.

Read the Reuse, Recycling and Waste SPD.

Correction to the maximum dimensions for collection vehicles at domestic premises

The maximum vehicle length of 9.2m is incorrect in Table 4 (page 18).

The vehicles currently servicing kerbside houses are now 9.909m long and the vehicles servicing flats using wheeled bulk bins are 9.892m long.

When designing access routes and/or commissioning tracking diagrams for waste collection vehicles in developments that will generate household waste when occupied, applicants should allow for the length of collection vehicle currently in use.