Reuse, Recycling & Waste Management Policy for Developers

Wandsworth Council’s Transport Committee  approved at its February meeting a draft Reuse, Recycling & Waste Management Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). It provides for developers advice and guidance on space, storage and management requirements. It replaces an SPD on the issues published 11 years ago in 2014. It reflects changes in national, regional and local policy, including the Environment Act 2021, and the requirements of the London Plan (2021). It will also support the objectives and targets of the Wandsworth Environment and Sustainability Strategy (WESS) and Climate Action Plan 2024.

The SPD sets out a range of technical requirements that seek to ensure that developments have adequate access to reuse, recycling and refuse facilities and that these facilities are well-integrated into the built environment in a way that reconciles issues such as accessibility and amenity. In larger residential developments, this includes the recommendation to have resident or caretaker waste ambassadors built into any Waste Management Strategy submitted as part of the planning application process. It also requires residential developments of 10 or more flats to provide allocated hard standing space for occupants to present bulky items, especially for recyclable waste streams with relatively high carbon impacts.