Commitments to local government reform in England offer meaningful opportunities for waste service reform, as well as potential disruption challenges, a new industry report on UK policy concludes.
The conclusions form part of FCC Environment’s new ‘Mapping the Politics of Waste 2026’ report. The publication of the report comes at what the company calls a critical turning point ahead of May’s local council elections that could set the backdrop for further national political upheaval around circular and low carbon ambitions.
It also considers issues such as the importance of ensuring public trust and backing for ongoing simpler recycling reforms, while ensuring waste services can evolve in a changing political landscape to curb waste and improve recycling outcomes.
The politics of waste theme was also the basis for a recent online round table industry discussion held by MRW and FCC Environment on the likely direction of policy changes up to and beyond the end of the current parliament.
You can read some of the insights from the discussion here.
It saw experts sharing views on themes such as how best to communicate and gain public support for initiatives designed to curb waste generation and improve recycling quality here.
An eye on May’s elections
In its own Mapping the Politics of Waste 2026 report, FCC Environment has looked at how May’s local authority elections could impact waste service delivery plans. The elections also coincide with voting on the future direction of devolved governments in Wales and Scotland.
The report stated that the mid-term elections traditionally serve as a “mini referendum” about the performance of the current government, while giving opposition parties a chance to play up what they might look to do differently in key economic and policy areas.
The report noted that parties such as the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party are looking to make selective gains at councils across the country as a reflection of the prospects for opposition parties.
Another trend expected to dominate narratives around the upcoming elections will be the performance of the right-wing Reform UK party that has, in recent months, been a notable beneficiary in polls of public dissatisfaction with the government in certain policy areas.
The report stated that the party has so far provided limited details on its views about waste and recycling services, despite them being hugely visible and important issues at a local government level.
The findings noted: “In its manifesto, Reform said very little about waste and recycling, stating that they would protect the environment with more recycling and less single use plastics. There was no further detail on how these improvements would be delivered.”
Much like other councils in England, any authorities with Reform UK majorities after the elections will still be required to meet mandatory simpler recycling requirements for collections of separated recyclable materials. This would including weekly food waste services, noted FCC Environment.
These requirements have come into effect for household collections as of 31 March.
The policy report noted: “How Reform-run authorities respond to these changes will be an important test of their administrative approach. Any attempts to majorly diverge from national direction are unlikely to be viable.”
FCC Environment has noted that more broadly, Reform UK has previously stated an opposition to net zero policies, which could in turn effect local opportunities and commitments to scale-up circular economy initiatives that are seen as allowing for more sustainable resource management.
The report added: “Reuse projects, repair hubs, community recycling centres and resource efficiency programmes are typically cost effective over time, but if they are recast politically as ideological rather than practical, they may face greater scrutiny or reduced investment.”
Local government reform
Another focus of the report is the Government’s aims for major policy reforms of local government structures across England that will effectively aim to replace the majority of district councils in the country with larger combined authorities.
FCC Environment noted that the Government annocuned in February that it would no longer allow certain councils to postpone election. It had claimed that these postponements would give authorities more time to finalise their reorganisation plans. However, the plans were dropped in the face of legal challenges to allowing postponement.
The report said that some of the notable impacts of councils reform for waste service providers and contractors could be a significant change around contract management, reporting requirements and service delivery, as well as potential pauses in some procurement activities,
It added: “However, local government reform also offers meaningful opportunities. Larger unitary authorities can benefit from economies of scale that are not always achievable in smaller districts. A bigger service footprint allows for more consistent planning and improved strategic investment.”
“Collection rounds can be rationalised across wider areas, fleet management can be streamlined, and disposal infrastructure can be planned with greater long-term certainty. For waste contractors, this may open the door to larger, more integrated contracts and the ability to innovate at scale.”
FCC Environment said the report seeks to examine the impacts of the current political landscape on efforts to reform waste and resource management. It also considers how the Government might try to make its own mark on long-term policy through the upcoming publication of a delayed Circular Economy Growth Plan.
Notable policy developments already underway include the simpler recycling reforms, plans for several separate, but interoperable deposit return schemes (DRSs) for drink containers across the UK, and the packaging extended prouder responsibility regime (pEPR).
The report stated: “Councils, operators and communities face increasing pressure to improve recycling outcomes, tackle waste crime and invest in long term infrastructure against a complex political and economic backdrop. “
FCC Environment said that the phased introduction of simpler recycling was an important driver for change that would serve to highlight the importance of ensuring effective public awareness and support of the reforms to meet aims for improving recycling rates.
Recent research commissioned by FCC Environment ahead of the report’s publication found that a large majority of individuals surveyed had limited awareness about the introduction of simpler recycling reforms and the materials they should be recycling.
A smaller majority surveyed for the research did believe the planned changes would have a positive impact on recycling behaviours.
Other conclusions of the findings included concerns about the challenges for long-term planning of services within the shorter five-year political cycles of a parliament.
FCC Environment chief executive Steve Longdon said the Politics of Waste 2026 report looked at the wider national and local government picture with regards to circular economy and waste reduction ambitions.
He said: “Waste and recycling services sit at the intersection of national policy, local delivery and public expectation. As reforms finally move into implementation, it is vital that we understand how political change, governance structures and public awareness will influence their success. This report is intended to support informed debate about what comes next, and how we can deliver more consistent, resilient and circular services across the UK.”
The FCC Environment Mapping the Politics of Waste 2026 report can be read in full here.
