Local authorities in England face a significant challenge with the urgent requirement to procure vehicles and containers to implement weekly food waste collections to all non-household municipal premises by 31 March 2025 and all households by 31 March 2026.
The standard lead time to procure and obtain vehicles will be extended, given the substantial number of vehicles required. Insights from manufacturers tell us that order book slots are being booked now for build slots closer to implementation date. Local authorities should also be aware that the impact of the requirement for non-household municipal (NHM) collections on vehicle manufacturing capacity is likely to be considerable.
The estimate of the number of containers needed is equally large. The positive news is that for local authorities ready to procure lead times are good and pricing is currently favourable. However, manufacturers are already seeing the impact of recent regulations in Wales, together with increased growth in European markets.
Unfortunately, as demand increases, prices will increase, therefore, for best value from your capital allocation for containers and vehicles, consider commencing procurement imminently.
At WRAP we understand the logistics of meeting this challenge is complicated, so with the support of Defra, we have been collaborating for several years with key stakeholders to design interventions that can help. We’ve engaged with vehicle and container manufacturers, route optimisation providers, container delivery organisations, Public Buying Organisations (PBOs), local authorities and treatment providers. These interventions include:
- Writing Your Business Case - WRAP has developed a NEW weekly food waste collection implementation guide and template to assist local authority waste and recycling officers as well as finance and procurement teams. The guide aims to support the development of business cases to obtain approval to deliver changes to existing kerbside collections.
- Joined up approach - Before commencing, ensure your procurement officer, waste manager and fleet manager have all spoken and understand the requirements. Have the discussion about vehicles and containers concurrently prior to initiating discussions with Frameworks. Remember the Procurement Act 2023 will take effect in October 2024, so consult your procurement officer to ensure you remain compliant. For further information read WRAP’s Supplementary Procurement Guide.
- Utilise an established Framework - Frameworks help public sector buyers to procure goods and services from a list of pre-approved suppliers, with agreed terms and conditions and legal protections. Frameworks can help you save time and money by removing the need to run your own lengthy and expensive tender processes and offer direct award and further competitions. See Appendix 2 of WRAP’s Supplementary Procurement Guidance.
- Standard specifications - Variations in specifications will delay delivery and increase cost. Help streamline the procurement and build process by using the industry-standard specifications. The specifications are supported by manufacturers and key Public Buying Organisations. Vehicle and Container Specifications
- Joint procurement - Join WRAP’s NEW Joint Procurement and Food Waste Implementation Accelerator Programme to maximise efficiency and cost-effectiveness. WRAP is now accepting ‘Expression of Interest’ for free support to local authorities in England individually or as partnerships as part of this programme. There is an expectancy that the support will be delivered in clusters to maximise Council buying power. Find more information on the Joint Procurement and Food Waste Collection Implementation Accelerator Programme here.
- Expect longer lead times - Due to the unprecedented demand expected in relation to procurement of vehicles and containers. Plan for, and anticipate delays, particularly closer to the implementation date.
Get in touch
If your authority would benefit from the interventions above or would simply like to discuss the kind of procurement support, we can offer, please contact us at policysupportevidence@wrap.org.uk for more information.
